Grecian 1998
Member
On a journey between Salisbury and Gillingham a few days ago, the train as usual stopped at Tisbury loop to allow an eastbound train to pass. For those who don't know, Gillingham - Wilton was singled in the 1960s and by the time it was decided to reinstate a loop at Tisbury in 1986, the old down platform had been sold off, meaning the loop had to be placed east of the station. With the gradual increase in services, the loop is in use pretty much all day every day, meaning at least one train has to stop in the middle of the Wiltshire countryside to allow the other to pass.
Whilst there, I heard a new automated announcement to the effect of 'This train has stopped to allow another train to pass. This is a scheduled stop and there will be no delay to your onward journey.' I've heard guards make similar announcements before, but never heard an automated version. Rather specific given that there are a limited number of lines for which this situation would arise.
It does seem a sensible announcement to make as it probably looks odd to non-regular passengers. It may also be useful at Chard Junction loop which is similarly not at a station, although not many trains pass there since the loop at Axminster opened.
Has anyone heard anything similar on other lines? A bit niche really as it would generally only apply to single track lines with passing loops away from stations. That said I have been on a XC northbound service in the past starting at Paignton on Sunday afternoons which enters the loop at Dawlish Warren and runs past the platform to the end of the loop to allow another service to overtake, although it doesn't run in the current timetable, so could be useful in that situation as well.
Whilst there, I heard a new automated announcement to the effect of 'This train has stopped to allow another train to pass. This is a scheduled stop and there will be no delay to your onward journey.' I've heard guards make similar announcements before, but never heard an automated version. Rather specific given that there are a limited number of lines for which this situation would arise.
It does seem a sensible announcement to make as it probably looks odd to non-regular passengers. It may also be useful at Chard Junction loop which is similarly not at a station, although not many trains pass there since the loop at Axminster opened.
Has anyone heard anything similar on other lines? A bit niche really as it would generally only apply to single track lines with passing loops away from stations. That said I have been on a XC northbound service in the past starting at Paignton on Sunday afternoons which enters the loop at Dawlish Warren and runs past the platform to the end of the loop to allow another service to overtake, although it doesn't run in the current timetable, so could be useful in that situation as well.
