Platform Height

Geoff · April 21, 2013, 08:33:11 AM

I am trying to get my platform height correct at the moment my height is on level with the step board on the carriage I just wondered if this was correct or do I need to go a little higher, as you know I use Kato unitrack and need to make some adjustments on heights.

EtchedPixels · April 21, 2013, 08:57:11 AM

Correct nowdays is 3ft so 6mm or so above rail tops but older platforms are often a bit lower eg 2'6 or so. Yours looks just fine to me.

daveg · April 21, 2013, 09:08:22 AM

I found this a handy reference although I'm happy to be told there's better/more accurate info out there:

http://www.worcsngauge.co.uk/NStandards.htm

Dave G

edwin_m · April 21, 2013, 12:07:12 PM

The platform is normally a bit below the step boards.

Geoff · April 21, 2013, 12:23:54 PM

Quote from: edwin_m on April 21, 2013, 12:07:12 PM
The platform is normally a bit below the step boards.

Yep I have got a photo of a carriage which is lower, I believe as Etched Pixels states if the top of the platform to the top of the rail is 6mm then it should be ok I think at the moment I am at 6.3 mm so I am not bothered with 0.3mm and that makes the stepping board higher than the platform and not the one in the picture, I remember as a child I always use to use the stepping board getting on and off the carriages.

So thank you for every ones input.

Lankyman · April 21, 2013, 09:07:50 PM

In my long railway career I have seen platforms of all heights so It is not a problem I worry about with my model although I have striven to attain reasonable accuracy by raising my Metcalfe models about 6mm. Yours look perfect to me and I would be more than happy to achieve that standard.

I have seen platforms that have been built to as near as possible the exact standard but then along come the P-way guys with a bit of relaying or reballasting and all of a sudden you have a low platform. That is why all platforms are now fitted with gauges along the platform faces to remind the P-way guys what the correct height and horizontal distance is. The main issue is not actually the height or horizontal distance but the actual gap between the stepboard and platform edge measured across the diagonal. Of course on lines where London Underground share platforms there is a big step UP from the LUL train to the platform.

Ron

edwin_m · April 21, 2013, 10:47:19 PM

Yes LUL tube trains are lower, but entrance height on LUL sub-surface stock is similar to that of main line stock. I believe an intermediate height is used on platforms that might be used by both tube and sub-surface stock or both tube and main line stock.

EtchedPixels · April 21, 2013, 11:12:26 PM

The Underground heights vary by line but for subsurface are generally higher than BR not lower.

950mm (LU standard height)
840mm (LU compromise height 2'9")
915mm (BR compromise height: British Rail 3ft)

840mm is used for mixed subsurface/deep and 915 is used for BR/LU mixed usage - eg Richmond onwards where the line is shared with Overground, plus the Met and similar.

Lankyman · April 22, 2013, 09:41:56 PM

The line I was thinking of was the Bakerloo line which shares the Euston-Watford D.C. line. I went down there when we were doing the Willesden Suburban resignalling scheme and you definitely had to step up out of the LUL stock onto the BR platforms.

Ron

ReBeginner · April 24, 2013, 08:16:22 PM

Please anyone, what is LUL? London Underground ..... Line? Loo? Louse? Land? Limited? ..........
Regards,
confused, dim or maybe just plain stooped, or all three?

edwin_m · April 24, 2013, 08:49:57 PM

Was London Underground Limited at one time, I don't think it is any more but the initial has kinda stuck.

Lankyman · April 24, 2013, 08:51:12 PM

You were close - London Underground Limited. Sometimes we old railwaymen forget that others from outside the industry might not be familiar with such abbreviations although this one is quite common. I can offer my humble apologies for anyone who might be confused.

Ron