Comments on: V/Line’s new but misleading next train displays

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 01:04:37 +0000

In reply to Alan. I've seen new screens appear at Sunshine platform 3 and 4 as well - previously only the outbound platform had one, but the new ones are yet to be switched on. Maybe the network connection between the server and screens still need to be installed?

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 09:04:41 +0000

In reply to Marcus Wong. The screen on Footscray platform 4 has returned, along with an additional one (that I don't think was there before) at the Down end. However, they are still not functioning! One of these screens has been installed at Waurn Ponds, and is apparently functioning correctly. So the central server (or whatever it is that powers these things) is clearly in working order. Very mysterious!

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 23:07:59 +0000

In reply to Alan.

I’ve also noticed the dead screens at both Footscray and Sunshine for the past few months – however the screen at Footscray going MIA is something new!

Possibly the screens were just prototypes, as both platforms 3 and 4 at Footscray have multiple mounting points for next train displays, but only one ever was installed.

By: Alan

Alan — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 10:52:03 +0000

On a few occasions over the past few months, I’ve headed over to Platform 4 at Footscray to check out these displays. However, each time, they haven’t been working. Either the little red LED beside the display has been blinking, or else they’ve just been totally dead.

Last week I took a look and noticed that the display had disappeared altogether. Perhaps it’s in need of major repair or replacement. I suppose V/Line doesn’t have any spares, seeing as there are only two of these screens in use.

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 21:34:23 +0000

In reply to The Author Knows Who I Am.

Somehow I missed the 24 hour time usage – that’s what I get for only visiting in the morning! I’ve got more about how different operators use different time formats here:

http://wongm.com/2013/10/victorian-public-transport-timetable-time-formats/

As for the Seymour trains having an extra stop beyond the end of the line, thanks for the tip off – I’ll have to head down there myself for a look see.

By: Footscray's useless next train displays - Waking up in Geelong

Footscray's useless next train displays - Waking up in Geelong — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 21:50:15 +0000

[…] newly expanded Footscray station – last week I dissected the new but misleading next train displays on the V/Line platforms, but now I’ll look at a bigger problem – the useless next train […]

By: The Author Knows Who I Am

The Author Knows Who I Am — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 06:06:56 +0000

Interesting to note that it appears that it doesn’t use 24 hour time unlike all other V/Line stations and PIDs. I’ve got one for you to investigate, take a look at the PIDs for Seymour at SCS and find out why there is a ——— underneath Seymour (Indicating a stop) for a train that terminates at Seymour (This may have changed in today’s timetable change but it was there beforehand). The train number technically changes when the train runs over to the locomotive depot over the grade crossing so this shouldn’t be the reason. Challenge set! 🙂

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 01:49:37 +0000

In reply to Andrew. You're right about the screen being small - but their choice of abbreviation is perplexing.

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:06:52 +0000

In reply to Evan Cottle.

Thanks for that – they do look very similar:

http://metrospec.com.au/s-series-displays.html

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:05:25 +0000

In reply to Andrew S.

It is just a hangover from when the stations still existed – I believe the system that drives the next train displays on suburban platforms dates back to the 1980s.

It took until 2007 for the “All stations except General Motors” message to be removed from the Pakenham line announcements, five years after the station had closed:

http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11329847-s0-0-asc.htm