European low platform heights

[Giugiaro]

In Portugal, platforms where built low and close to the rail to allow multiple crossings between platforms along the station. These where typically 400mm over the track, which meant you where just two steps from rail level (each step being 200mm, about the height of a wooden sleeper). Access to passenger cars was made going up a small staircase or a ladder.

Since railways were built by multiple private companies, before CP was established in 1945, platform height varied wildly, even from station to station, going from 600mm over the rail, down to a laughable 150mm! One platform with this ridiculous low height still exists today. (Lavre, Platform 2)

The only exception was the Cascais line with its absurd 1100mm of platform height. It was established either in 1889 when the line was first built, or in 1926 when it was electrified. Besides the gauge, this line is unique in the country, having a different loading gauge, electrification and platform height.

After that, new platforms built or rebuilt during the 90's were set to 900mm of platform height in the Sintra Line, and 700mm everywhere else.
In the turn of the century 900mm where finally set as the standard, since new rail cars had the floor at this height from the rail, making step free access possible in this newer stock.

https://goo.gl/maps/8agGpX2YgpR2

All the information is in this document, starting from page 66 (134)
http://www.refer.pt/sites/default/files/files/files/diretorio_da_rede_2017.pdf

 

[AM9]

Normally there is a very low platform in the form of a bit of tarmac between the rails, though the other line is crossed on the level.

This Hausbahnsteig/Nebenbahnsteig arrangement isn't rare in Germanic countries, though it is becoming less common as such stations when rebuilt have tended to be rebuilt with either proper island platforms or side platforms. The only place I recall seeing it in the UK is the Furness/Cumbrian Coast, e.g. Ulverston, and that uses a full-size platform for the middle bit.

I came accross this a few years ago at Varenna on the Milan-Tirano line. Here is a view:

I imagine that only slim passengers can stand between the yellow lines to allow two simultaneous passing trains. Fortunately trains pass through and arrive quite slowly. The crossing ramp can be seen in the middle distance.

 

[30907]

I came accross this a few years ago at Varenna on the Milan-Tirano line. Here is a view:

I imagine that only slim passengers can stand between the yellow lines to allow two simultaneous passing trains. Fortunately trains pass through and arrive quite slowly. The crossing ramp can be seen in the middle distance.

You don't do It! Full stop.

If two trains stop simultaneously they will stop at opposite ends of the platform , and a non stopping train will not normally use the platform neatest the station building.

 

[Groningen]

Monza - Tirano is meanly single track; so trains have to pass at the station and are mainly all stopping services.

 

[AM9]

You don't do It! Full stop.

If two trains stop simultaneously they will stop at opposite ends of the platform , and a non stopping train will not normally use the platform neatest the station building.

Apologies, I omitted to insert a smiley. The service I saw was as Groningen says, sparse and all stoppers (except for freight). A very pleasant trip to Tirano and back for €7, just over 50 miles!

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

I imagine that only slim passengers can stand between the yellow lines to allow two simultaneous passing trains. Fortunately trains pass through and arrive quite slowly. The crossing ramp can be seen in the middle distance.

Worth adding that standard practice at smaller stations with such platform arrangements is for passengers to wait either in the station building or under the canopy of the main platform until the train they intend boarding is entering the station. Where two trains are due, and on a single track line therefore crossing each other, the second arrival will be routed into a track further from the station building than the first. It's also normal, though not universal, for trains to stop short of a designated pedestrian crossing (nose to nose on adjacent tracks). These procedures reduce the risk of passengers getting hit by trains. Hanging around on platforms well ahead of scheduled arrival time is very much ingrained into passengers in this country but is much less typical away from major stations in many other countries.

 

[Groningen]

A very pleasant trip to Tirano

And than continue to Sankt Moritz and Chur as i always do (or v.v.).