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After what seems a very long time since work started (at least 18 months, if not two years) the extension to Platform 3 at Tilehurst has been completed and is accessible to passengers. But on my train this afternoon there was still the customary warning to passengers in coach 8 to more forward if they wanted to get off.

I'm guessing that platform extensions at other local stations are not yet complete and to avoid confusion the warnings will continue until they are.

Marlburian

Don’t hold your breath. On the North Cotswold line the extensions lay unused for most of 2018 before finally coming into service. I know SDO needs to work properly, but...

Costs ££ to update hitachi software...guess its not seen as urgent & will get done when an update is urgently needed

I wasn't on a Hitachi but an Electrostar.

As I'd learned to my dismay the other day, as well as spending 12-15 minutes at Reading before continuing to Twyford and beyond, the Didcot-Paddington-Didcot stoppers also linger at Reading on the way back.

I suppose that this means they are more likely to leave on time which, to be perverse, is a mixed blessing. On quite a few occasions, friends have just caught the Reading-Tilehurst trains during the day because they're a couple of minutes late leaving, to allow freight trains to plod on ahead.

Talking of software, this morning at 0910 some of us were confused by the station info at Tilehurst announcing "No Service" from all four platforms.

Marlburian

Not sure why it’s taking so long. Alterations for Maidenhead, Slough and West Drayton happened recently for 387s, but (despite being finished earlier) the Thames Valley stations are still waiting.

Cholsey to Tilehurst inclusive opening to 8-car length as of tomorrow.  It took a while!

I think that the work was finished weeks (months?) ago, as trains have been "platformed" (yuk!) on the entire length of the extended platforms for some time at Goring to Tilehurst - it just seemed that the on-train announcements needed updating.

Cholsey too.

Still "front seven coaches only " announcements this morning

I wonder what would happen if one tried to enter or exit carriage number eight? I'll be going into Reading later on, but won't be tempted to put the matter to the test.

(BTW I can be very mean, but nearly always opt to use the train into Reading, cost £1.80 return with Senior Railcard, though I could use my bus pass from the stop at the bottom of Kentwood Hill.)

Marlburian

The announcements might not alter immediately, but the doors should open now on carriage 8.  Perhaps someone can check?  If the BIL (the orange light illuminates) then car 8 is opening.

I caught the 1053 Reading - Pangbourne this morning.  Train announcements were OK, ie nothing about short platforms Tilehurst - Cholsey, and the info about what car you're in has gone from PA and scrolling screens.  But announcements at Reading station still saying travel in front 7 coaches only.

And doors in car 8 did open at Pangbourne.

Good to know, thanks.  I rejoice in the fact the short platform announcements are gone as that used to be rather annoying for every station.  A bit more peace and quiet now.

The recorded announcement at Pangbourne this morning for the 0952 to Paddington (8 car 387) advised passengers for Tilehurst and West Drayton to travel in the front 7 coaches.  No other short platforms mentioned.  So still some work to be done on getting platform announcements right.

West Drayton was also changed to SDO 8 last weekend.  The on-train announcements are correct I believe, but the station ones have yet to catch up by the sounds of it.

Reading station on the Down this evening is still announcing short platforms on the intermediate stops to Didcot. The 8-coach train itself did not.

The rear doors opened on the 7:54 from Tilehurst this morning. No-one was standing in that spot though so obviously the message hasn't got out yet! I will try standing there tomorrow and see what happens....