NETHERFIELD AND CARLTON STATIONS NEWS
Posters have gone up to say you must buy.a ticket before boarding a train, or you may be subject to a fine’. It then shows the ways you can pay, but does not say that on some lines, which includes Carlton and Netherfield you can still pay on the train by cash or card. This could deter some from using the trains.
I have queried this with East Midlands Railway (EMR) as the welcome to Carlton poster on platform 2 says, we accept cash and most credit/debit cards. If the ticket you require is not available from the machine, which does not accept cash, you can buy your ticket on board. I know this is aimed at stopping fare dodgers, which cost railway companies E400 million a year, but it could be less ‘threatening’ as a couple of passengers have said to me.
Currently penalty fares apply if you don’t have a ticket on all EMR Connect and Intercity services, and on Regional services on the Robin Hood Line and on EMR services between Nottingham and Sheffield and between Derby and BelPer, so most Regional services are not affected.
COMMEMORATIVE BOARDS: These have been erected at Carlton Station on Platform 1. They were commisioned by Lowdham and Burton Joyce station adopters and with EMR approval coinciding with 200 years of passenger trains. One shows the history since 1825, another important train braking trials which took place on our line in 1875, involving major train companies of the day with their different types of braking, with the vacuum brake winning out, and the other a map of the Midland Railway system prior to 1923. Midland Rly. Study centre,part of the Museum of Making at Derbygave permission for the information, and Francis helped with erecting the boards.
CARLTON FLOWER GARDEN. Now many of the plants are established, very few are needed to keep a colourful display. This is particularly helpful in as new plants need constant watering. As one lady said, having just got “I like the display”. She was actually looking at the pink wild flowers the Network Rail side of the fence!
CARLTON LEVEL CROSSING PUBLIC SURVEY:
This took Place on June 5 with Network Rail and EMR staff handing out leaflets to pedestrians on how to be safe when crossing the railway line. Carlton crossing is wider than most, so takes longer to cross. The last two barriers to come down are those in the direction of traffic, so, if you are walking against the traffic (i.e. traffic coming to wards-7615. on your side of the road), then you have less time to cross.
CONVERSATIONS ON CARLTON STATION
A couple alighting from a Newark train said: “Excuse me, is there only one platform here?”
I pointed out platform 2 and said that was the platform for trains to Newark.
On Saturday, June 21, which was a hot day, the 10.07 to Crewe was cancelled owing to a train breakdown. Fortunately it is the only time in the week when we have a train 12 minutes later – the 10.19 to Leicester. One passenger going to Leicester asked me why she had to change at East Midlands Parkway for Leicester. I said if she wanted to arrive in Leicester 10 or so minutes earlier, then yes, but she preferred to stay on the train she would already be on. Technology is ok for a lot of things, but personal contact can give information that technology can’t
Another lady from Fiskerton had been brought to Carlton by her daughter when she found the train was cancelled. Although the 10.19 was full and standing, all 10 or so waiting managed to get on.
EMR NEWS
Refurbishment of the class 170s which are on local services continues with about one train per month being completed. New seating, tables and carpets, plus three-pin and Type-C and dual USB sockets at table and airline seating. Also refurbished toilets and newly installed passenger information system. Cyclists should note that bike spaces are being moved to the other vehicle behind the cab with three tip up seats provided. Wheelchair users are still adjacent to the universal access toilet.
Class 158 units which sometimes appear on our services, but mostly on the Liverpool service from Netherfield, are also having a ‘make over’ but keeping existing seats.
The induction of the new class 810 “Aurora” fleet on the London services still have no date for commencement as passenger services due to a few ‘teething’ problems
Tony can you look into brynging a train to Arnold as it is our capital and our London and we shuld have a train to our best town
Ridiculous comment.
A train to Arnold. Absolutely laughable.
Another valuable contribution from Tony concerning small details which make all the difference to understand what is really going on. With the threatening fare dodge posters, since EMR, while still in the private sector, is micro managed by the Department of Transport I would be prepared to wager an edict came down instructing EMR to place those posters on all stations. As far as the new “Aurora” trains for the main lines are concerned I understand there has been overheating incidents with the wiring and the first batch of the trains will have to be rewired. They are already over 2 years late. It looks like the manufacturer Hitachi carries the can for this.
A great update. Thank you