LUL-style totems - I like them - do you?

[thirstquensher]

For many years (well, since 2003) there were only two things that I considered DLR stations to be short of in order to present a full "TfL-ised" image.

1) was VE panels showing a full-panel-height roundel with the station name in the bar (as with LUL stations and overhauled LOG ones);

and

2) LUL-style totems - an aluminium pole with a 3D roundel sitting on the top, which lights up at nights.

Now, item (1) looks like it will never happen on DLR, but of course a couple of years ago item (2) appeared at Gallions Reach, around the time that the bike rack and new paving got put in.

For some reason I couldn't help thinking this would either be (a) a one-off because it had been decided it would work at Gallions Reach where it wouldn't perhaps work elsewhere (due to some arcane consultants' logic) or (b) a short-lived experiment that wouldn't be carried forward and might even be reversed after a few months.

However, I loved it and hoped LUL-style DLR totems would appear elsewhere. So I was very pleased when I found out they were a part of the new Woolwich Arsenal station. I still couldn't help wondering whether these would be 'rarities' though, especially given that the recently-refurbished Shadwell station had the other TfL-style totem, the 'white plinth' as seen on interchange stations. At one point I thought maybe that was the new standard for DLR totems. Or it may be that that style is used there so an OVERGROUND roundel can be fitted into the column at an appropriate time in the future.

However, the new South Quay came along and guess what - 3D roundel totems on there too.

Anyway, I certainly didn't expect to see these 3D totems appearing on any *existing* stations, so I was also surprised today to spot one (maybe there's two?) at Crossharbour station. I daresay maybe others have seen them at other stations too.

I really like them - the only downside is the lack of a station name on them - perhaps a turquoise bar underneath the roundel with the station name could be added - or perhaps simply ensuring the station name appears prominently on the outside fits the bill (a consistent way would need to be found ideally though, for stations that aren't 'magnificent architectural beacons' like South Quay or Langdon Park).

[21146]

I thought all DLR stations with an exterior entrance (as opposed to say, Bank) have DLR roundels, but normally on a pole-mounted illuminated white box. Woolwich Arsenal has large roundels on glass, Shadwell has external roundels mounted flat on brickwork, both recent applications. As far as I know South Quay is the only DLR station using standard LU-type pole-mounted silhouette roundels, though I hope I'm proved wrong as these are a welcome addition. Let's hope London Overground can introduce a version at some of their more attractive buildings.

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/4047284880/

[thirstquensher]

"I thought all DLR stations... have DLR roundels..."

Let me re-state...

"2) LUL-style totems - an aluminium pole with a 3D roundel sitting on the top, which lights up at nights."

Either I've been misunderstood (although I went to great pains to point out exactly what I meant in the original post) - as if I've never seen the common 'lozenge' totem before - or I really am the only person who gives a stuff - wouldn't be the first time.

Perhaps a couple of photos will help explain:

This:
www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/4047284880/

...and NOT this:
www.flickr.com/photos/richardsandlan/4046475662/in/pool-docklandslightrailway

[21146]

Ah - I've only seen the LU-type at South Quay. Those at Woolwich Arsenal are just on the glass, aren't they?

[Deleted]

The one at Gallions Reach has a solar panel on it.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gallions_Reach_Jan_2009.jpg

[Chris M]

There is at least one free-standing totem of the LU-style at Woolwich Arsenal.

Do the DLR-style ones pre-date the TfL branding? If so, do they go all the way back to the era of
DOCKLANDS
Light Railway

[thirstquensher]

Chris, they do date back to the DOCKLANDS image - whether they were also used with the previous red/blue branding I don't know, but somehow I doubt it.

BTW I call these roundels '3D' and I refuse to call them 'silhouette' because the roundels are extruded and have depth, whereas the word 'silhouette' is supposed to refer to something flat and of singular colour, and therefore is not an appropriate adjective in this case. The only other meaning silhouette could have is something which leaves a flat eclipse of a dark shape in front of some sort of background illumination. In that case, the familiar lozenge-style totems, and the roundel/station name graphics applied to them, would be more appropriate to describe as 'silhouette' because they're flat graphics that are backlit.

There are two at Woolwich Arsenal, one outside each entrance, two at South Quay, at least one at Crossharbour but possibly two (I could only see one side being on the train at the time) and of course the one at Gallions Reach (which despite, or maybe because of, its solar panel, never illuminates in the dark, negating the point of it).

[21146]

I call them "silhouette" simply because that's the official LU sign manual description, as opposed to the flat "panel" version on a white background.