Adrian Hieatt on Central Line

[chilsie]

Was just on a 1992TS which got held at a red signal, and was surprised to hear an Adrian Hieatt announcement informing us that the train was held at a red signal! Is this a new rollout happening for all trains, and will Adrian replace Emma entirely or is this solely on manual announcements?

[xtmw]

I'm pretty sure I was told he will be voicing the refurbished trains

[spsmiler]

The ironic thing is that apart from station starters and at junctions the Central line has more block marker boards than actual signals.

I suppose that its easier on the ear to be told that a train has stopped at a red signal whereas the message "we are being held at a block marker board awaiting the computers giving our train authority to enter the next signalling block" would not be understood by the majority of passengers.

[xtmw]

From my own experience, it's not unusual to be held outside termini and I have noticed this new voice being used instead of a manual PA.

I remember a few days ago I was held outside Leyton for a good 5-10 minutes due to a defective train that was being tipped out, we were then held at Stratford and Mile End while the driver informed us that it would be reversing at Bethnal Green. Massive thanks to the driver for keeping us informed on the situation.

Do drivers on the newer stock use the automated 'we are being held at a red signal' or make a manual PA? Is there a specific rule regarding this?

[Chris M]

Regarding your last question, my understanding is that pre-recorded announcements are preferred where available because of both clarity (the quality of manual announcements varies massively) and because they also generate a visual message.

[Dstock7080]

Unfortunately the opposite is true!
Manual announcements will count toward the
‘mystery shopper’ score for the Operator, whereas pre-recorded announcements will not, therefore manual ones are required.
A current campaign of offering prizes (coloured badges) is running for the highest score in this.

[class411]

It seems that Sonia is going to have a rather deep voice.

[spsmiler]

Nov 12, 2023 22:32:46 GMT xtmw said:

Do drivers on the newer stock use the automated 'we are being held at a red signal' or make a manual PA? Is there a specific rule regarding this?

I recall hearing this message last week, probably the delay was a crew change on the train at the eastbound platform - the train I was on was approaching Leytonstone

I'll be candid, the event made such a non-impression upon me ('meh') that I cannot even recall whether the voice was male or female .. let alone whether live or pre-recorded. I was typing / keying a text message at the time and the announcement was like 'background noise'.

As an aside, I regularly send a one word (the station name) text message when approaching or at Leytonstone station; its a way of saying 'I'll be home in approx x minutes'.

[coldplayfan18]

So will Adrian ultimately be replacing Emma Clarke completely??

[elshad]

Nov 12, 2023 21:43:37 GMT spsmiler said:

The ironic thing is that apart from station starters and at junctions the Central line has more block marker boards than actual signals.

I suppose that its easier on the ear to be told that a train has stopped at a red signal whereas the message "we are being held at a block marker board awaiting the computers giving our train authority to enter the next signalling block" would not be understood by the majority of passengers.

I was thinking about this the other day. Perhaps something like “we are being held by the signalling system” should be incorporated onto both automated and manual announcements on ATO lines. Would be a) simple enough for passengers to understand and b) more honest. Otherwise we could get to a point some years down the line where there isn’t a single colour light signal on the entire network yet passengers are still being told they’re being held up by a “red signal”

[brigham]

Also, “we are being held by the signalling system” is more 'inclusive'.

[Tom]

Nov 16, 2023 8:22:25 GMT brigham said:

Also, “we are being held by the signalling system” is more 'inclusive'.

No, it's more technically accurate.

I've noted your choice of words though, and it sounds to me like a very high pitched dog whistle - make further comments in that vein and they'll be added to your special thread in the deleted posts section.

[spsmiler]

Nov 16, 2023 6:52:49 GMT elshad said:

I was thinking about this the other day. Perhaps something like “we are being held by the signalling system” should be incorporated onto both automated and manual announcements on ATO lines. Would be a) simple enough for passengers to understand and b) more honest. Otherwise we could get to a point some years down the line where there isn’t a single colour light signal on the entire network yet passengers are still being told they’re being held up by a “red signal”

Yes but I think that passengers would feel more comforted if they could understand the reason - rather than being given an impression that a whimsical computer has decided to delay them!

When the message is given by a real human it has often referred to waiting for the train in front to leave the station. This is very easy for passengers to understand!

[miff]

Nov 16, 2023 6:52:49 GMT elshad said:

Otherwise we could get to a point some years down the line where there isn’t a single colour light signal on the entire network yet passengers are still being told they’re being held up by a “red signal”

I hope that may happen since I’m a bit of a fan of historical anomalies.

No-one, other than rail professionals and enthusiasts, will know there are no-longer red lights since passengers can’t see out of the front of the train. On the rare occasions it needs to be explained it’s no great leap these days if you say it’s no longer a physical signal but a ‘virtual’ one.

[t697]

Station staff at Farringdon (LUL) and some other SSR stations still make announcements like "This train has a green signal, stand clear of the doors." although the indication is a white 'ready to depart' indicator on each car.
I think the Jubilee and Northern have platform mounted 'ready to depart' indicators replacing the old green signal repeaters. Have platform staff on those lines got a different announcement yet?

[Alight]

Nov 13, 2023 16:45:36 GMT coldplayfan18 said:

So will Adrian ultimately be replacing Emma Clarke completely??

Yes that is the plan. I suppose he has the monopoly now he the in-house announcement manager - needs to put himself to use!

It's a shame as I love the existing Central line announcements - they are very clear and do the trick. A stark contrast to the overbearing '09 stock announcements.

[chilsie]

This video features Adrian’s new Central Line announcements. I suppose its safe to say he’ll definitely be replacing Emma on the refurbished trains.

[coldplayfan18]

That’s a shame. I like Emma Clarke much more than Adrian. What is the need to replace her anyway??

[coldplayfan18]

Let’s be honest, everyone is going to hate his announcements. I’m sorry but he sounds really nerdy and goofy.

[xtmw]

Don't see how I'm going to dislike them - they seem much clearer than the previous ones. I'm sure most customers won't even notice that the announcements have changed, just that they will have much more clearer information being given to them

[Alight]

Nov 22, 2023 22:58:14 GMT coldplayfan18 said:

Let’s be honest, everyone is going to hate his announcements. I’m sorry but he sounds really nerdy and goofy.

I tend to agree - his sound overly exaggerated, almost Jon Briggs like. For those who don't know, Jon Briggs used to voice the male TTS voice of Siri, and was even the voiceover on The Weakest Link. There was a time and a place for it, but I'm not sure the Central line is one of them, not least because he's replaced a voice loved by many. Let's not forget Emma was selected following 18 month's worth of focus groups; she was chosen for her neutral, breathy and fresh tones and nicknamed "Marilyn".

I suppose it all comes down to personal opinion and preference. I'd perhaps care less if he replaced the equally-as-exaggerated Sarah Parnell announcements on the Victoria line. "This station has STEP-FREE ACCESS "

[scheduler]

I often can't hear half the announcements on the Central Line because the train's making too much of its own noise in the tunnel.