On Train PID reliability

nonscenic · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:51 pm

The number of times that on train PIDs get "geographically challenged" on Melbourne's system, especially around the city loop lead me to think that they detected position on a gps system. Frequently the next station is Parliament all the way to Southern Cross, and at times I have seen Officer and Jacana as the next station while in the loop. Sometimes the driver recognises the problem (or it resets itself) and it changes to the ironic message "Welcome to Connex"

On train PIDs can work in underground systems as I found while recently travelling the Tokyo subway lines. Over many trips, mostly underground, the PIDs and voice announcments in Japanese and English worked flawlessly (and also advised ahead of each station what interchanges were available )
Such systems can work reliably - is there a technical reason why the PIDs on Melbourne's trains don't?

SPAD: Signals Passed at Danger relieve the boredom

Knowitall · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:01 pm

because they did not want to spend the money on a good system

Banned

alstom_888m · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:08 pm

Ours are GPS. And that deep underground GPS doesn't work 100%.

I believe London Underground trains of the 1992, 1995 and 1996 stock design of the Central, Northern, and Jubilee lines respectively, use magnets on the track for PID's but I'm not 100% sure.

Reliable, Economical, Safe, By Rail.

Heihachi_73 · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 11:57 pm

The Concorde project was to reconcile two identical, but modified train types, however using an inferior system. The system itself can be upgraded but there is apparently no need to, apart from changing Spencer Street to Southern Cross. On Connex North lines the re-spoken words sound so different to the original voice as heard on X'Trapolis trains. Some recorded stations such as on the Craigieburn line just don't match the pitch of the next station (now arriving at) or change here voice. I personally have no idea why they had to re-record the Connex North lines either when they did that.

There were only two or three stations that were better on the new system than the older X'Trapolis style, Mont Albert (as opposed to Mon Talbot), Auburn (Awwwburn), Heyington (HEYington) and Southern Cross (sounds like it's a question on X'Traps).

The most reliable PID system they had was the very first one, but it was only programmed to announce premium stations. When crash victim 634M or 698M went back into service a few years ago it still had this version on it, complete with the 10 point plan and original Connex maps (with a Bayside logo on the other lines) inside it. I only got to travel on the set once before it was upgraded.

As I mentioned on the other thread, jump on the 0608 Lilydale express from Flinders Street for some Unknown LineIDs and no 'change here' announcements! Unless it was just the one set, then 661M will have to lead a train. Bad luck if it's an X'Trapolis for the day, you'll have to try another time!

You cannot run from your own bunghole.

Z181 · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:57 am

Dont forget with the X'Traps - istead of saying Ivanhoe, the ALSTOM lady admits this statement - Imahoe

LIMITED EXPRESS TO Greensborough VIA CITY LOOP

Speed · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:47 am

There's a joke at Melbtrip's expense to be made of Z181's post. I just don't know what it is yet.

alstom_888m · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:57 am

Now I think of it, before the Concorde project, I never saw an issue with the PID's. I first saw a malfunction on the very first day on Alstom on Northern revenue running, and every ride on a Comeng I've had since, the PID's have malfunctioned in some capacity.

I've had a funny incident on a Craigieburn Alstom that was "Now Arriving at", after the train had stopped at Newmarket. To make it a more happier journey, the train was silent after that.

One hopes the PID actually packed it in.

Reliable, Economical, Safe, By Rail.

wongm · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:38 pm

Camster · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:00 pm

Nexas · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:34 pm

Haydenthegunzel · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:27 pm

I had a few Comengs that had strange habits with PIDS.

Mainly on the return run to Broady.....

Leaving FSS: t CONNEX!!!!!!!!!! This is a service to CRAIGIEBURN!!!!!!!!!! stopping all stations via the city loop.

Nearly all announcements started with RIVING AT...... or ARRIVING AT......

One Comeng on the way to the city missed strathmore and glenbervie. Just saying NOW ARRIVING AT..................

The return EDI Comeng that day had no announcements. Screens stuck on WELCOME TO CONNEX.

Also noted that at North Melbourne she says. RIVING at North Melbourne. Change here for Werribee........WillimastownSydenham....andUpfield services. I had no idea there was such a suburb as WilliamstownSydenham!!!!!! Very Happy

Pics here: http://s527.photobucket.com/albums/cc351/haydenthegunzel/
Vids here: http://au.youtube.com/user/Comeng372M
BRING XTRAPS TO CONNEX SOUTH LINES!!!!

nonscenic · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:53 pm

alstom_888m · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:27 pm

xtrap_heaven · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:12 pm

Ever Heard Thiss Announcement?

"Now arriving at: Flinders Street, ALL CHANGE! THIS TRAIN - NOT TAKING PASSENGERS! ALL CHANGE! INTERNAL DISPLAY AND AUDIO TEST! <loud siren noise>"

And The Pids say:

All change, this train is not taking passengers INTERNAL DISPLAY AND AUDIO TEST | || |||||||||||| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Check out my videos on YouTube.com!

WiRED · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:26 pm

I was once on a train years ago, and the following happened.

We were in the loop heading for Epping. The stations were back to front, so it said: Epping, Lalor, Thomastown, etc..

Last station in the loop, driver stops for 5 minutes or so and made a P.A announcement. "Sorry for the delay passengers, the train is experiencing technical difficulties.

Cheers,

Young Rail Enthusiast
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