British Rail > Reviews (29)

During a recent train journey we had to change trains at Sheffield. This didn’t seem a big problem. I think that at this point I should stress that although I love travelling on trains I don’t use them very often.

As we got off the first train the PA system announced that the train we wanted was at platform 3a. We crossed the footbridge, found platform 3, checked on the display monitor that the train was going to Worksop and got on the train. Whilst we sat on the train there was an announcement on the train that departure would be delayed due to staffing problems. After a short delay the train left. As the train left the station the conductor announced over the train PA system the new expected arrival time at Doncaster.

Now we were worried, we didn’t want to go to Doncaster, and unless there had been some major change in train routes we didn’t think a train for Doncaster would go via Worksop. We found the conductor and asked if we were on the correct train. Of course we were not. We had to get off at the next station and get a return train back to Sheffield.

It appears that we got onto the train on platform 3, but there was another train on platform 3a. The same platform, just further along. Although the TV monitor that we read was next to the train on platform 3, apparently if we had waited it would have changed to show the details of the other train as well.

Now this is obviously all our fault. Not being a regular train traveller I had missed the subtlety of the difference between platform 3 and platform 3a. When we eventually returned to Sheffield I went to look at the platform to see how easily we could have made such a silly mistake. Well I will defy anybody to tell me where platform 3 ends and where platform 3a starts. There are some signs hanging up but I afraid this was not at all obvious to me that these were designated as different platforms.

On the TV monitors surely it would make more sense that if two trains are on the same platform to show the details of both trains on a split screen. But, just showing details for one train for so long, and then the details of the other train must confuse other people as well. Actually I know it does because the conductor on the train quite merrily said “that people were always making the same mistake”. So why has nothing been changed!

If there is the need to use one platform for two trains then the difference between the different parts of the platform should be really obvious and the information provided should stress that there are two trains on the same platform. Also could the conductor on the train announce the destination of the train before it leaves the station giving people the chance to get off before the train leaves.

I know that this situation is probably not unique to Sheffield, but that is where we had our problem. Hopefully my little moan may get read by somebody who has some influence over this sort of issue and may be able to give a bit of thought to this matter.