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Yes I surmised those were the problems - yet every other large station I have passed thru during decades of train travel - never saw a large station that did not post the track number even on printed schedules - www.bahn.de/en - German railways site for schedules even lists platform numbers. I think this inconvenience to customers is huge - not only mad dash at times when track number is posted but customers could be sitting on dwelling train rather than standing in concourse eyes fixed on overhead schedules to see which track you need to head to.
I think this is yet another sign of a rail system that is very antiquated compared to Continental stations and trains. |
1 Attachment(s)
According to this London Waterloo station map,
Attachment 2472 1. Assume my cab will drop me off on the street at the far right hand side of this map. (Is this the "front" side?) 2. After walking in through one of the yellow-colored "Entrance Area", the white box denoting "Rail Info" in the map is where the BIG BOARD is. 3. Straight ahead, on the same street level without me taking an escalator up or down, are 19 platforms in sequential order. 4. My departure platform will be among one of them. Please confirm or correct me. Thanks. P.S. Oops, don't know why the attached picture became so small. Please see a larger picture in this web page: National Rail Enquiries - |
Originally Posted by Reading54
(Post 16909619)
According to this London Waterloo station map,
Attachment 2472 1. Assume my cab will drop me off on the street at the far right hand side of this map. (Is this the "front" side?) Upper right just opposite the 'disused Eurostar' area is the 'front'. Note that the Eurostar area is no longer disused. It's used for regular trains as reflected in my other post. 2. After walking in through one of the yellow-colored "Entrance Area", the white box denoting "Rail Info" in the map is where the BIG BOARD is. No I think that's an info desk. The main boards (there are at least 2 sets) are directly above the gates to the platforms.Just keep walking into the main concourse and you can't miss the boards. Everyone is looking up at them. 3. Straight ahead, on the same street level without me taking an escalator up or down, are 19 platforms in sequential order. Depends on the entrance whether it will be street level or not. The main entrance is up a half a flight of stairs. Not street level. go up the hill to the left of the main entrance and there's another entrance a street level. 4. My departure platform will be among one of them. Please confirm or correct me. Thanks. P.S. Oops, don't know why the attached picture became so small. Please see a larger picture in this web page: National Rail Enquiries - |
OK -- sorry but you are seriously over thinking this. (Pal is not helping one little bit inserting himself and German/European trains into your sincere questions)
The boards are ENORMOUS - you cannot miss them. Pal: >>don't they still list on overhead boards some towns the train will stop in?<< YES -- as was been explained many times up thread. |
I know you've looked at this website before but not sure if you've seen this tab, it shows the departures/arrivals/final destination and platform number which appears about 10-15mins before departure. I'm sure if you study enough during the day, you'll work out which platforms the trains to SOU go from, seems to be from platform 8 or thereabouts.
Live Departure Boards - National Rail Enquiries If you click on " Google Streetview (see inside the station)" on the below link, it shows you the main concourse of Waterloo Station, also on the same link, it tells you were the taxis drop you off. Getting to and from Waterloo station - Network Rail |
It’s really not difficult. Walk into the main concourse of the station, and you’ll see a board like the picture below. (Make sure it’s the big departures board not the smaller arrivals board). Trains are listed in order of departure times, and they tend to depart at slightly different times, so the best way to find “your” train is by time, then double check the destinations. About 10, 15 minutes before departure time, the platform number will appear on the board. At which point, head for the platform and board your train. By the platform there’ll be a board with details of that specific train, as a reassurance. if you look closely at the photo below, you’ll see the word “platform” next to the time of each train. Some have numbers, others have a dash. If your train has a dash, just wait till a platform number appears. On this photo, you can see that Platform 15 is under this particular noticeboard. Others will be in either side. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...81945d239.jpeg |
Thanks for the two links Odin. They are very helpful.
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Thanks to walkinaround, janisj, and Gyhtson for all of your kind responses.
I like visuals, a picture says a thousand words. The photo of the departure board above Platform 15 just placed a clear image in my head on what the board looks like. |
Great :) As you see it is really large, easy to read and you can't miss it. And the trains are listed in departure time order so - get to the station a bit early, have a coffee or drink where you have a view of the board . . . and you'll see as soon as your train displays.
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Don't feel you have to rush once the platform number comes up, you'll have plenty of time to walk to even the furthest gate (which is not very far), wander down the platform, and get on the train.
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If you have a seat reservation then why rush?
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Seat reservations are not possible on South West Trains.
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How many first class seats are there on SW trains - sometimes there are very few and not worth it but if there is half a car or a car it may be wise to book first class and have better seats.
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Originally Posted by PalenQ
(Post 16910059)
If you have a seat reservation then why rush?
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