Platform Car Markers

Since the completion of the Third-Track Project there has been a change in the location of the MU car markers on station platforms. There used to be separate markers for 4-8, 10 and 12 car trains to stop with the first car at different locations to put the train reasonably close to the center of the platform. That always seemed reasonable and smart to me.

Now the new car markers direct trains of all lengths to stop with the first car at the very head end of the platform putting shorter trains on the forward end of the platform. In the case of 8 car trains, this results in the last car being a third of the way up from the rear end of the platform. Any any poor souls who were waiting on rear of the platform now have to trot a long way up to the train.

Does anyone know why this change was made? It seems to me the older way was smarter and more fair to all passengers at both ends of the stations.

Dunno about the LIRR but on the subway, stopping positions are set to minimize walking distance to the primary exit, not necessarily the center of the platform. For example if a station has one exit at the far north end and another at the midpoint, but the north end is "primary" (e.g. has an agent, elevator, etc), the marker for all northbound trains will be at the far end of the north platform, and the southbound 8-car marker will be set back from the south end, and correspondingly further back for 6 and 4, so that the rear of the train will always be at the north of the platform.

Are the LIRR markers at the head end of both directions at the same station, or is it something like the above example, where one direction is fixed to the head end, but the other is moved back? IIRC the primary exit of several mainline stations is at a far end, with the pedestrian over/underpass, parking lot, etc.

Head end of the platform in both directions.

Purely wild speculation here:

1. ACSES / PTC related

or

2. To combat the increase of doors opening off platform. Crews not being aware of their consist size and stopping at a marker for a shorter length train. Coincides with the 'CHECK CONSIST SIZE' signs going up at many main stations.

or

3. Some genius had a 'better idea'

It’s all part of the dumbing down campaign.
The “new generation” don’t comprehend the ability to center spot or load spot trains.
It’s easier to put one marker up and everyone go to one marker (less likely to screwup)
The markers are horrific at mineola and take absolutely no account for the shorter length consist diesel services that stops there.
The public has to demand they want the trains centered and where necessary have a 4/6, 8, 10, 12 car markers. The dumbing down is the reason they have the problems they have.

workextra wrote: ↑Wed Aug 23, 2023 3:44 pm It’s all part of the dumbing down campaign.
The “new generation” don’t comprehend the ability to center spot or load spot trains.
It’s easier to put one marker up and everyone go to one marker (less likely to screwup)
The markers are horrific at mineola and take absolutely no account for the shorter length consist diesel services that stops there.
The public has to demand they want the trains centered and where necessary have a 4/6, 8, 10, 12 car markers. The dumbing down is the reason they have the problems they have.

LOL And then they wonder why the commuters hate the LIRR..........

Did they change the wording on the markers now? I think I saw at Pinelawn something other then cars on them. I'll have to get a pic the next time.

Yes, the old markers said for example: 12 MU.

The new markers say: 4-12 UNIT

Head-end View wrote: ↑Sun Aug 27, 2023 5:52 pm Yes, the old markers said for example: 12 MU.

The new markers say: 4-12 UNIT

Before that the OLD OLD markers said 12 M1

Yes they did change some markers to reference to “UNITS” and it’s to include engines in the count with operating diesel equipment.
For example a 1E+4 car diesel set would be 5 units and a 2 engine and 8 car DM is “10” units. The idea was to simplify a simple concept. Well it didn’t really achieve that as miss platforming events still occurs according to their own data.

The older generation know how to read their train and platform length and adjust accordingly.
Several stations on some branches, the “8” MU is really at the full “10” on
location as the theory was then to center the train.

This has been long lost and now you have rear loaders such as west bound at MAV, that is a heavy east end loader, with short consist stopping at NHP leaving the customers to walk the platform to get on in the already packed rear car.
A simple Concept over thought by those who really don’t know.

As a passenger you can tell who knows and who don’t based on who short platforms and accommodates the passengers with their short trains on longer platforms.
This practice is called spotting the load.
And there are some who disagree with this practice citing it’s dangerous.
Truthfully it’s perfectly safe as long as the crew is competent in how long their train is in relationship to the platform.

Car markers are generally placed to even out the loading of trains over the route. But other considerations are often used. Trains may have to be spotted to clear gate crossing circuits, or interlocking track circuits. Something as remote as a complaint letter from a commuter who has to walk too far to his car can get a car market relocated.