Should arrivals and departure boards indicate what type of unit is running .....

[whole diary]

[Mookiemoo]

Okay, take my trip to Manchester a couple of weeks ago......

I got the 0920 from ludlow - turned out to be a 150  - normally it is a 175 or a 158 - the 1020 was a 175

Now, Had I been able to check the boards and seen it was a 150 I'd have had another hour in bed and got the 1020 - time wasnt critical to me - comfort was

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are pretty good at this but not great - there were many times before the timetable change the 1922 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) - Malvern was still showing a 180 when they KNEW it was going to be a 165 two car.  If they'd posted it was going to be a 165 I would have stayed in the office and hence taken a shorter day later in the week rather than subsidising the sloe bar and waited for the 2020 which was always a 166.

Not all passengers wish to know this or would know what it means - but can it hurt to add it to NR^» (Network Rail - home page) departure boards.  That way, those who wish to can make a judgement call on it.

[Conner]

I think it would be a brilliant idea.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks, Mookiemoo!  I, too, think that would be a great idea!

Even for my short commuter journey in the evening, for example: if I knew that the 1753 train I was breaking my neck to catch was a 143, rather than a 158, I'd probably decide not to bother - I'd work a bit later, tidy up and walk down to BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative)) to catch the 1822 HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) instead!