Kings Cross

[Hermit 109]

Hello Sandwhich,

Nice to hear from you, I remember Jack Simpson well although I probably wouldn't recognize him now after 38 years. Last time I went with him was in January 73' on the 16.00 ex K.X-Newcastle lodge turn.
I moved up to St Neots a couple of years ago & I've seen a couple of "Arlows" in the Peterborough phone book, but wasn't sure if he was still alive, I must try and see if I can make contact. Thanks for the info.

[sandwhich]

Just been browsing through all the contributions and found some more old names from the past, someone asked about Foreman Ken Gregg, he retired early in 1980 and emigrated to Australia and died there in 1997, another foremans name that cropped up was Owen Daynes, he became our Train Crew manager in BR days, glad to report that he is well, now long retired but still comes up to the Hatfield do,s.
Walked through Kings Cross station a couple of weeks ago, it looks a mess with all the rebuilding work, the bombed gap is now filled in and you really cannot see the join and when it is all done I think it will look really good and not before time, not sure about the ticket barriers Platforms 0-4 though.

Sandwhich

[manna]

G'Day Gents

Would I be right in thinking that they are short of platforms at Kings Cross now ! probably due to there being no ECS movements, and there cleaning the coaches in the platforms ?? if that's the case, no wonder there's no room at the Cross, you just can't do that at the Cross.

It would be far better to replace the track in the abandoned tunnels, and run trains into them so that they could be cleaned, that would at least free up some platforms.

manna

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

As we used to say at a hauliers I once worked for:

"Why screw up someone els's silly idea with logic?"

It makes sense I daresay to the majority of people on this forum but then we've never studied "Pure Management" whatever the hell that is!

[thesignalman]

Would I be right in thinking that they are short of platforms at Kings Cross now ! probably due to there being no ECS movements, and there cleaning the coaches in the platforms ?? if that's the case, no wonder there's no room at the Cross, you just can't do that at the Cross.

That's nothing new. When I worked at Kings Cross during the seventies, a proportion of day-time trains were cleaned and prepared in the platforms. Obviously I understand traffic patterns/levels have changed since then.

John.

[sandwhich]

Interesting about the number of platforms at Kings Cross, before 1976 there were 14, then it went down to 10, but it was realised in the 80s that with the increase in outer suburban sevices platform 11 had to be dug out again (oops), then in 2010 a new Platform 0 where the taxi rank then was situated was dug out. With the considerable increase in daytime services into the station things can get a bit tight, especcially when the Moorgate service is diverted then things sometimes get a bit frazzled to say the least. When Thameslink finally gets up and running its expected to create more space, but only Hull Trains and Grand Central can use Platforms 9-11 but it should the create more space from 0-8,only time can tell. Changing times indeed.

[Mickey]

Deleted

[Bryan]

Its been done elsewhere at a number of stations throughout the UK.
Leeds has had 0 and I think it also had a Lettered platform for a time, W. I think.

[cambois]

Haymarket and Cardiff Central both have platform 0 s, I think Cardiff was first, or certainly the first I became aware of.

The main reason is the massive cost of changing platform numbering, which would arise if the new platform was logically called number 1 and the rest renumbered. Platform renumbering requires a lot of signalling changes (mega bucks) these days, as well as all the publications, station signage, information system, etc. Waverley was renumbered when the new IECC equipment was installed, as was Glasgow Central when the recontrol to WSSC took place took place and the two new platforms were driven through the arch and down the carriage road - not often car space is replaced by train space but it happened here and at Haymarket as well as Kings Cross. Renumbering was possible in these two cases as there was a lot of other work going on and it was a small marginal cost.

The modern practise of platform turn-around is due to a number of factors - higher utilisation of the rolling stock (think of the lease costs of a modern train), reduced operating costs (no ecs drivers) and lack of throat capacity with the increased crossing moves. The latter is now quite a constraint at many big stations, generally more so than platform capacity.

[brsince78]

Haymarket and Cardiff Central both have platform 0 s, I think Cardiff was first, or certainly the first I became aware of.

The reason I have been told for Cardiff was the need to retain the original GWR signage in the underpass. Central is a Grade II listed structure.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27045884@N ... 3040576305

[Mickey]

Deleted

[kudu]

Its been done elsewhere at a number of stations throughout the UK.
Leeds has had 0 and I think it also had a Lettered platform for a time, W. I think.

Where will be first to get a Platform -1 ?

[hq1hitchin]

A class 9 to most signaller's (SIGNALMEN) to my generation was a UNFITTED GOODS TRAIN in days of yore

In the immortal words of Barry Tayler of Bletchley PSB, and one of the best signalmen I ever knew - "Run a 9, block the line!"

[StevieG]

Haymarket and Cardiff Central both have platform 0 s, I think Cardiff was first, or certainly the first I became aware of. .... "

Not sure where was first, but the since-completed reinstatement of (one of?) the outside up line(s?) through Stockport station, with a new platform, numbered '0', was on the drawing board in 2004. That was the first that I got to hear of.

Back at KX, about six weeks ago, the display of '0' on the main departure board was changed to read "Zero". I suppose the meaning of '0' was not sufficiently clear for a number of 'customers'.
No.1 is the currently out of use platform in the ongoing staged rebuilding/surfacing of all the main platforms, though a bit at the buffer stops end is still open so that 'customers' can get to No.0.

[strang steel]

Blimey, how things have changed:-

http://youtu.be/iAYOP1Dd67U