Waterloo platform usage enquiry

[simon3747]

Hi all,

I'm writing, and have been for some time now, some NSE acts for Dorset Coast and I'm running into Waterloo. I just need to know during the early 1990's which services used which platforms at Waterloo. For example I'm pretty sure that Hampton Court services used Platform 1 but can anybody out there shed any light as to what platforms other destinations would've used.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Simon3747

[expressboy1983]

Hi Simon mate,

P1 - P4 were used for all local services through Wimbledon.
P5 - P14 were used for faster services through Wimbledon. (To Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Weymouth, Salisbury, etc..)
P15- P19 were used for services through Putney. (To Reading, Windsor, etc..)
And obviously P20 - P24 for international services.

I used to spend a LOT of time at Waterloo between '94 and '98 and remember it well. I don't think it's changed much even today, except for the lack of international services.

Hope that helps fella.

[simon3747]

Simon,

That's brilliant and thank you for it but I was hoping to be a little more specific, i.e, for example which actual platform do the trains that run to Reading use, but yes I guess you're right in that if the same platforms are still used today then it should be easy to find out.

How you doing anyway matey? Are you to attend DEMU this weekend in Burton?

Cheers,

Simon

[michaelhendle]

Hi Simon,
The Reading trains would have used any of the platforms from 15-19 depending on which platform was free when it arrived,tey didn't have specific platforms.

[simon3747]

Hi guys,

I didn't realise that Waterloo was a free for all. Makes it easier I guess when it comes to placing ai for act writing.

Cheers for the info. Now just got to find the time to complete the pack, here's to Christmas.

Thank you,

Simon

[alexnick]

Hi Simon,

The above division of platforms is correct. If you want to know a bit more about operations there for activity writing, this is how it's been seen from the signal box for a long while:

-you have the above division into four stations operationally: inner suburban, mainline, Reading & Windsor, International, which then corresponds directly to the pairs of running lines leading away towards Clapham

-in service, the common practice is to fill up the platforms in each section (particularly the mainline one) from right to left (facing buffer stops) as trains arrived in a sort of sweeping move, and to try and do the same with departing trains.

The point of all this is that it eliminates almost all conflicting moves for about as far as Woking.

Anyway, I'm sure the guys on the UKTS forum can probably tell you where to place an individual train service with a high degree of accuracy if you ask.

AN

[simon3747]

Thank you AN. I've been kind of planning it out on my current journey here to work. I think it's all going to come together nicely. The first act is 90% done I'd say, I just needed to sort out platforming at Waterloo, hence the question, and now should be able to make the final and correct push.

Cheers all,

Simon

[tubemad]

It is the same nowadays yes, and there isn't a specific platform all the time for a certain destination, just a group of platforms as listed. It's not free for all, and never has been as per all terminals, but they are always subject to change if they end up in the wrong platform.

It all depends what it's allocated to in the Working Timetable/Station Workbook (the dispatchers need to know where to go after all) but if something goes in the wrong platform and it has a long turnaround time, then most the time the platforms allocated will be thrown out the window for most the day!

Have a look at jplanner.travelinenortheast.info and do a train journey search for London Waterloo to Clapham. It lists the headcodes, destination and the booked platform, worth a look to get an idea to allocations...


Cheers,

James.