What tricks do you use to know which way a train will come down the platform?

11 comments

1. Does it matter?

2. Trains tend to travel on the left, so if there are two platforms, with a concourse/entrance in the centre, the one on the left hand side will have the trains going forward.

3. Memory

4. Feel which way the dirty air blows when pushed by the trains.

5. Just look for that big green arrow 👍

6. Trains or tubes? Easier on the tube…I think

7. Patience.

8. I just stopped going to new places

9. Know which stations don’t conform to the norm and you’ll usually get it right. That is, a train will come from left to right when facing the tracks except at (and this is not exhaustive):

   * Stations with side platforms, most notably on the Bakerloo line at Marylebone, Piccadilly Circus and Embankment as well as the Northern line at Elephant & Castle

   * Stations with stacked platforms, such as Borough, St Paul’s, Chancery Lane, Notting Hill Gate (Central line), Waterloo (Bakerloo line) and Westminster (Jubilee line)

   * The inner tracks where there is a cross-platform interchange, such as Oxford Circus, Euston, Finsbury Park, Highbury & Islington, Stockwell and Kennington

   * Bank and London Bridge on the Northern line due to right-hand running

   * Stacked cross-platform interchanges, which are limited to Camden Town and Baker Street

   The sub-surface lines are invariably cut-and-cover with both platforms visible, so it should be pretty apparent which track goes in which direction.

10. Use the compass on your phone

11. Which way my fringe blows