Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Railway Platform shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Railway Platform offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Railway Platform at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Railway Platform? Wrong! If the Railway Platform is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Railway Platform then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Railway Platform? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Railway Platform and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Railway Platform wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Railway Platform then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Railway Platform site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Railway Platform, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Railway Platform, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
stationA
railway platform is a section of pathway, alongside
rail tracks at a train station, metro station or tram stop, at which passengers may board or alight from trains or trams. Almost all stations for rail transport have some form of platforms, with larger stations having multiple platforms. The term platform is most commonly used, in British usage, for designated areas where trains stop (Platform 1, 2, 3, etc.; the American equivalent is
track). Technically speaking, the term platform actually refers to physical continuous sections of platform area. So such a physical platform may contain several "designated" platforms.
The term
railway platform can also mean any type of freight platform beside a
rail siding for loading/unloading freight to/from rail cars.
Characteristics
Platform Heights
A most basic form of platform consists of an area at the same level as the track, usually resulting in a fairly large height difference between the 'platform' and the train floor. This would often not be considered a true platform. The more traditional platform is situated at an elevated level relative to the track, but often lower than the train floor, although ideally the platform should be at the same level as the train floor. Occasionally the platform is at a higher level than the train floor. This may be the case when a train with a low floor level serves a station built for trains with a higher floor level, for example at the Nederlandse Spoorwegen stations of the DB Regionalbahn Westfalen (see
Enschede). Likewise, on the
London Underground some stations are served by both
District Line and Piccadilly Line trains, and the Piccadilly trains have lower floors.
A
tram stop is often in the middle of the street; usually it has as a platform a refuge area of a similar height to that of the sidewalk (eg. 10
Centimetre), and sometimes has no platform at all. The latter requires extra care for the boarding and unboarding passengers and for the other traffic to avoid accidents. Both types of tram stops can be seen in the tram network of Melbourne. Sometimes a tram stop is served by ordinary trams (with rather low floors) as well as
metro-like light rail vehicles with higher floors, and the tram stop is provided with a dual height platform. An example can be found in
Amstelveen, Netherlands. Similarly a train station may be served by heavy-rail and light-rail vehicles (with lower floors) and also have a dual height platform. This applies for example on the
RijnGouweLijn,
Netherlands.
Facilities
Part of the station facilities are usually on the platforms. Where the platforms are not situated within a station building, often some form of shelter or waiting room is provided. The protection offered by such varies greatly – some being little more than a roof with open sides, others being a closed room with heating or air-conditioning (the roof also provides
shade; this may be a disadvantage in colder climates). Also there may be Bench (furniture)es,
lighting,
waste boxes and static timetables or dynamic displays with information about the next train, delays, etc. There are often
loudspeakers as part of a
public address system. The PA system is often found where dynamic timetables or electronic displays are not present. A variety of information is presented, usually pertaining to departures, but often arrivals also. This concerns destinations and times (for all trains, or only the more important long-distance trains), delays, cancellations, platform changes, changes in routes and destinations, the fact that for a train a supplemental fee or a reservation is required, etc.
Types of platform
].
Platform types include the
bay platform,
through platform,
island platform, and the
side platform. A bay platform is one at which the tracks terminate, i.e. a dead-end or rail siding. Trains serving a bay platform must reverse in or out. A through platform, conversely, is the more usual type of platform, located alongside tracks where the train may simply pull into the platform from one end, and leave passing the other end. Finally, an island platform has designated through platforms on both sides; it may be indented on one or both ends, with bay platforms. For passengers to reach an island platform, there may be a
bridge, a tunnel, or a level crossing. The climb up to the bridge or down to the tunnel may use stairs, ramps, escalators, lifts, or a combination of the above.
Some stations, such as
Limerick Junction, in
County Tipperary, Ireland, consist solely of an island platform hosting all platform numbers, as well as the station building entirely surrounded by track.
Usually "platform" numbering is actually a numbering of the boarding/alightment areas in the station (hence one island platform, for example, may have several numbered "platforms"). In some cases, tracks without platform access, used for through traffic, also have a number.
Platform safety
Platforms usually have some form of warnings or measures to keep passengers away from the tracks and moving trains. The simplest measure is markings near the edge of the platform to demarkate the distance back from the platform edge that passengers should remain. Often a special tiled surface is used as well as a painted line, to help blind people using a walking aid, and aid in preventing wheelchairs from accidentally rolling too near the platform edge. A dangerous practice that sometimes occurs is sitting on the edge of the platform, which requires being fast enough in withdrawing the legs when a train arrives.
In high-speed rail passing trains are a significant safety problem, as the safe distance from the platform edge increases with the speed of the passing train. Several countries have laws that prohibit trains passing platforms above certain speeds (usually 200 km/h (120 mph)). For stations on high-speed lines this leaves two alternatives unless all trains stop there: Either a speed limit for passing trains is introduced or the station has to be rebuilt to include tracks that do not pass platforms.
Some metro stations have
platform screen doors between the platforms and the tracks. They provide more safety; also they allow the heating or air conditioning on the station and the ventilation in the tunnel to be separated, thus being more efficient and effective. They have been installed in most stations of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) and the
Hong Kong MTR, as shown in the photos below, and the newer stations forming the
Jubilee Line Extension in
London.
Curvature
.Ideally platforms should be straight or slightly convex, so that the guard can see the whole train as he prepares to close the doors. Platforms that have great curvature have blind spots that create a safety hazard. Mirrors or
Closed-circuit televisions may be used in these cases to view the whole platform. Also passenger carriages are straight, and so doors will not always open directly onto a curved platform – often a gap is present. (Usually such platforms will have warning signs, possibly auditory, such as "Mind the gap"). In some cases, sections within the platform may be movable, so as to cover any gap; moving away again to allow the train to leave.
Length
The longest railway platform in the world (1,072 metres, or 3,538 feet) is at
Kharagpur, West Bengal (India). The longest in the UK is at
Gloucester railway station. The longest in Australia is at
Flinders Street Station, Melbourne. Though spread over 4 stations, the longest platform in the US on a metro line is on the Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority) in the State Street subway in
Chicago, Illinois.
As part of gauge conversion works,
Indian Railways in 2006 sought funds to lengthen 100 stations to take passenger trains with 24 carriages.http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/18/stories/2006031813380100.htm
See also
References
External links
- Schematic maps of all tracks, Railroad switch and platforms in the Netherlands: http://www.sporenplan.nl/html_nl/sporenplan/ns/ns_normaal/start.html (point at an area and open detail map in a new window)
stationA
railway platform is a section of pathway, alongside rail tracks at a train station,
metro station or
tram stop, at which passengers may board or alight from trains or trams. Almost all stations for rail transport have some form of platforms, with larger stations having multiple platforms. The term platform is most commonly used, in British usage, for designated areas where trains stop (Platform 1, 2, 3, etc.; the American equivalent is
track). Technically speaking, the term platform actually refers to physical continuous sections of platform area. So such a physical platform may contain several "designated" platforms.
The term
railway platform can also mean any type of freight platform beside a rail siding for loading/unloading freight to/from rail cars.
Characteristics
Platform Heights
A most basic form of platform consists of an area at the same level as the track, usually resulting in a fairly large height difference between the 'platform' and the
train floor. This would often not be considered a true platform. The more traditional platform is situated at an elevated level relative to the track, but often lower than the train floor, although ideally the platform should be at the same level as the train floor. Occasionally the platform is at a higher level than the train floor. This may be the case when a train with a low floor level serves a station built for trains with a higher floor level, for example at the
Nederlandse Spoorwegen stations of the
DB Regionalbahn Westfalen (see
Enschede). Likewise, on the
London Underground some stations are served by both District Line and
Piccadilly Line trains, and the Piccadilly trains have lower floors.
A
tram stop is often in the middle of the street; usually it has as a platform a refuge area of a similar height to that of the sidewalk (eg. 10 Centimetre), and sometimes has no platform at all. The latter requires extra care for the boarding and unboarding passengers and for the other traffic to avoid accidents. Both types of tram stops can be seen in the tram network of Melbourne. Sometimes a tram stop is served by ordinary trams (with rather low floors) as well as
metro-like
light rail vehicles with higher floors, and the tram stop is provided with a dual height platform. An example can be found in
Amstelveen,
Netherlands. Similarly a train station may be served by heavy-rail and light-rail vehicles (with lower floors) and also have a dual height platform. This applies for example on the RijnGouweLijn, Netherlands.
Facilities
Part of the station facilities are usually on the platforms. Where the platforms are not situated within a station building, often some form of
shelter or
waiting room is provided. The protection offered by such varies greatly – some being little more than a roof with open sides, others being a closed room with heating or air-conditioning (the roof also provides shade; this may be a disadvantage in colder climates). Also there may be
Bench (furniture)es,
lighting, waste boxes and static
timetables or dynamic displays with information about the next train, delays, etc. There are often
loudspeakers as part of a public address system. The PA system is often found where dynamic timetables or electronic displays are not present. A variety of information is presented, usually pertaining to departures, but often arrivals also. This concerns destinations and times (for all trains, or only the more important long-distance trains), delays, cancellations, platform changes, changes in routes and destinations, the fact that for a train a supplemental fee or a reservation is required, etc.
Types of platform
].
Platform types include the
bay platform,
through platform,
island platform, and the
side platform. A bay platform is one at which the tracks terminate, i.e. a dead-end or rail siding. Trains serving a bay platform must reverse in or out. A through platform, conversely, is the more usual type of platform, located alongside tracks where the train may simply pull into the platform from one end, and leave passing the other end. Finally, an island platform has designated through platforms on both sides; it may be indented on one or both ends, with bay platforms. For passengers to reach an island platform, there may be a bridge, a tunnel, or a
level crossing. The climb up to the bridge or down to the tunnel may use stairs, ramps, escalators, lifts, or a combination of the above.
Some stations, such as
Limerick Junction, in
County Tipperary,
Ireland, consist solely of an island platform hosting all platform numbers, as well as the station building entirely surrounded by track.
Usually "platform" numbering is actually a numbering of the boarding/alightment areas in the station (hence one island platform, for example, may have several numbered "platforms"). In some cases, tracks without platform access, used for through traffic, also have a number.
Platform safety
Platforms usually have some form of warnings or measures to keep passengers away from the tracks and moving trains. The simplest measure is markings near the edge of the platform to demarkate the distance back from the platform edge that passengers should remain. Often a special tiled surface is used as well as a painted line, to help blind people using a walking aid, and aid in preventing wheelchairs from accidentally rolling too near the platform edge. A dangerous practice that sometimes occurs is sitting on the edge of the platform, which requires being fast enough in withdrawing the legs when a train arrives.
In
high-speed rail passing trains are a significant safety problem, as the safe distance from the platform edge increases with the speed of the passing train. Several countries have laws that prohibit trains passing platforms above certain speeds (usually 200 km/h (120 mph)). For stations on high-speed lines this leaves two alternatives unless all trains stop there: Either a speed limit for passing trains is introduced or the station has to be rebuilt to include tracks that do not pass platforms.
Some metro stations have
platform screen doors between the platforms and the tracks. They provide more safety; also they allow the heating or air conditioning on the station and the ventilation in the tunnel to be separated, thus being more efficient and effective. They have been installed in most stations of the
Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) and the
Hong Kong MTR, as shown in the photos below, and the newer stations forming the Jubilee Line Extension in
London.
Curvature
.Ideally platforms should be straight or slightly convex, so that the guard can see the whole train as he prepares to close the doors. Platforms that have great curvature have blind spots that create a safety hazard. Mirrors or Closed-circuit televisions may be used in these cases to view the whole platform. Also passenger carriages are straight, and so doors will not always open directly onto a curved platform – often a gap is present. (Usually such platforms will have warning signs, possibly auditory, such as "Mind the gap"). In some cases, sections within the platform may be movable, so as to cover any gap; moving away again to allow the train to leave.
Length
The longest railway platform in the world (1,072 metres, or 3,538 feet) is at Kharagpur,
West Bengal (India). The longest in the UK is at
Gloucester railway station. The longest in Australia is at
Flinders Street Station, Melbourne. Though spread over 4 stations, the longest platform in the US on a metro line is on the
Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority) in the State Street subway in
Chicago, Illinois.
As part of gauge conversion works,
Indian Railways in 2006 sought funds to lengthen 100 stations to take passenger trains with 24 carriages.http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/18/stories/2006031813380100.htm
See also
References
External links
- Schematic maps of all tracks, Railroad switch and platforms in the Netherlands: http://www.sporenplan.nl/html_nl/sporenplan/ns/ns_normaal/start.html (point at an area and open detail map in a new window)
Railway platform - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A railway platform is a section of pathway, alongside rail tracks at a train station, metro station or tram stop, at which passengers may board or alight from trains or trams.
Platform Appeal
A number of different companies already support the work of the Railway Children and we are hugely grateful to all of them.
SINE Term Definitions - RAILWAY PLATFORM
RAILWAY PLATFORM : Definition: A raised floor along the side of a line at a railway station, for convenience in entering and alighting from a train.
SINE Search Results
Displaying images of structures where at least one of the structure types depicted is 'RAILWAY PLATFORM'
Heritage Railway Magazine - Online - Britain's Premier Steam News ...
Heritage Railway Magazine - Britain's premier monthly steam railway news magazine ... Notices. Heritage Railway is published every four weeks (13 times a year). It is on sale in ...
Heritage Railway Magazine - Online - Britain's Premier Steam News ...
... an excellent example of ‘revisionism’ by making so-called ‘facts’ fit an untrue story! To read more >> Platform - readers letters at the heart of the heritage railway ...
Railway Platform Clock
This vintage-look clock is reminiscent of those found on Victorian railway station platforms. This quality 14
Amazing 3D railway station platform art has commuters thinking they're ...
As the bank vault door swings open, wads of cash tumble out and crisp-looking notes flutter through the air, stopping commuters in their tracks at London's Waterloo Station. ...
Old Railway Platform - OS Explore
Ordnance Survey produces digital and paper maps and OS MasterMap for business, leisure, government and education, with quality Crown copyright maps of Great Britain.
Nene Valley Railway's platform for success - Peterborough Today
Nene Valley Railway's platform for success - A POPULAR tourist attraction is on track to get even bigger after receiving a £20,000 cash boost.
