 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Network Rail News Waterloo Station Ticket Gates |
| All photographs on this page are by Colin Duff |
 |
The photographer has known Waterloo Station for half a century and nothing has stayed the same for very long as the station evolves to meet changing needs. A visit on February 22nd 2009 revealed its latest transformation. The arguably not fit for purpose plasma screen departure displays at right angles to the barrier line have gone to be replaced by bright LED displays where they belong - at the barrier line. Retail units along the barrier line have gone to be replaced by automatic ticket gates and the trains beyond can be seen - Waterloo is once again looking like a "proper" station! |
| (above) The departure indicator board and ticket gates by the suburban line platforms. The set of gates between platforms 1 and 11 came into use on 29th December 2008 |
 |
Bright and airy, the almost continuous line of gates between platforms 12 and 18 (at the time of this Sunday visit these platforms were not in use due to engineering work). Eventually there will be 160 gates, the largest set in Europe. In order that passenger flow in the subway under the platforms is not adversely affected by use of gates an extensive circulating area under the arches has been opened up to create a sufficient line of ticket gates. |
 |
The gates to and from platforms 19 and 20, the latter in the former International Station will come into use once the two "cut throughs" from platform 19, requiring steps and ramps due to the height difference, have been completed. The site of the former International Station was once the Windsor Line platforms - almost a station within a station. So the clock is partially about to turn again. The automatic ticket gates are capable of reading magnetic stripe paper tickets, ITSO smartcards and, once negotiations have been completed, Oyster smartcards. |
 |
Between platforms 11 and 12 are a set of lower level customer information displays . This was the location of the former plasma displays at right angles to this. The plasma screens had low contrast displays and required an awning over them to shield them from light from the glazed roof. This was only partially successful and they were difficult to read on a bright day. Nor could they be seen at a quick glance when dashing across the concourse from the Underground to the platforms! Did anyone study passenger habits before deciding to use plasma screens? |
 |
Now a slight retraction from the previous looking like a "proper" station comment. A cynic might think that almost completely obscuring the booking office with a line of ticket machines is a ploy to make people think there isn't booking office! Whilst the latest generation of ticket machines offer a greater number of ticket options, railcard discounts and destinations than previously they do not offer all travel options nor do they provide advice about the best choice of ticket. |
 |
Waterloo International Station closed on 13th November 2007 and long term plans for its re-use are still under discussion. At least the current economic situation is removing the pressure of converting it to a retail development. At the time of this photograph hoardings obscure the view of the former International low level concourse, unfortunately they also part-hide the statue of famous railway artist Terrence Cuneo. Some retail units, to make up for the loss along the barrier line, are being built here. |
|
|
||
This feature is brought to you by the Southern Electric Group as a service to its members and enthusiasts. The Southern Electric Group is the only group covering all aspects of the Southern Electric System past , present and future. If you are not a member you are very welcome to join the group. For more details please follow the links bottom left.
|
||
| Find out more about the SEG or about
membership and to print out a membership application form. |
 |
This page updated 1st March 2009 by Colin Duff. All text, graphics and photographs are ©Copyright |