The Anonymous Widower

Creating More Capacity At King’s Cross Station

I took these pictures as I walked through King’s Cross station today.

Note.

1. Each of the eight platforms in the main train shed, has been formally divided into a and b sections.
2. In the first picture, a sign to the right of the clock, showing 0a and 0b, indicates that Platform 0 has been similarly divided.
3. I would assume, that any services run by 10-car trains would use both the a and b platforms.
4. Services run by 5-car trains, can use any free ‘a’ or ‘b’ platform.

It would appear to me, that 18 x 5-car platforms must be able to handle more trains than 9 x 10-car platforms.

This information screen, which is one of several, explains what has been done.

This is the message on the screen, which is only visible about once every ten minutes.

• There are now more trains to and from King’s Cross station.
• To help you find your train we’ve added new signs dividing platforms into sections ‘a’ and ‘b’ for some services.
• Please allow extra time to get to section ‘a’, as this is furthest away.

It’s not a good way to present information.

It is one of the worst examples of mushroom management, I’ve seen in a long time.

I suspect, that experienced travellers will understand it, but will the less experienced?

Will It Increase The Capacity?

I believe it is a well-known rule, that you get more  bricks in a box, if they are all the same size and they are a fraction of the size of the box.

So by having five- and ten-car trains and platforms, Network Rail are minimising wasted space in the station, which is increasing the capacity.

The new digital signaling gives precise control  of the trains and theoretically, would obtain the maximum number of trains in the station.

But all trains, that will use the station must follow these rules.

• Five- or ten-cars long.
• Trains must have a digital-signalling capability.
• Be able to cruise at 125 mph, so they can keep up with other trains.

Terminal stations on the East Coast Main Line, like Aberdeen, Bradford Forster Square, Edinburgh, Harrogate, Hull, Inverness, Leeds and others must also  be capable of handling five- or ten-car trains.

June 4, 2026 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Bradford Forster Square Station, Class 180 Train, Class 221 Train, Class 800 Train, Class 801 Train, Class 803 Trains, Class 820 Train, Class 897 Train, Edinburgh Station, Grand Central Trains, Harrogate Station, Hull Station, Hull Trains, Information, King's Cross Station, Leeds Station, Lincoln Station, LNER, Lumo, Mushroom Management