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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Edinburgh Waverley station needs me.

311 replies

TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 19:37

Here are the facts:

  • I go to many train stations, I never ever get confused elsewhere.
  • I never go to Waverley without walking round in a big loop in a state of confusion.
  • From observation I am not the only one.

I am prepared to provide executive advice. Payment terms are a baguette from upper crust, a bag of percy pigs from M&S and some scottish fudge from, well, somewhere that sells good fudge.

This is not actually an AIBU, because I am not being unreasonable. I am on a train leaving Edinburgh having finally found my platform. See you next time for the same fun again Waverley!

OP posts:
Okiedokie123 · 08/10/2025 23:15

This thread is my favourite thing about today. Potentially this week (yes I live alone, thanks for noticing).
i suspect that the percentage of it participants that enjoy a game of Mornington Crescent is high.

And it for sure belongs in MN Classics. 🙂

Merrilydancing · 08/10/2025 23:11

Thought it was just me that couldn’t figure it out. The most regular train is the Glasgow one and that could really be anywhere.

I think there are probably lost tribes living there having never found their escape.

TalulaHalulah · 08/10/2025 23:09

Zooeymither · 08/10/2025 23:02

It’s quite straightforward, platform 13 or 14 for Glasgow unless it is platform 7b in which case it is alongside platform 10.

No Percy Pigs for me please, but chocolate in any form accepted.

No, Glasgow can also be platforms 11 or 12

TalulaHalulah · 08/10/2025 23:08

GoBazGo · 08/10/2025 22:33

Does anyone know the usual platform for trains to Preston (Great Western)? And landmarks to look for? TA.

If you look on realtimetrains.co.uk you can enter the name of the station, date and time and it will give you the platform - not sure how far in advance it goes.
Then once you have found that, Network Rail do have a station map if you google that.

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 23:05

Hedjwitch · 08/10/2025 22:54

Use Waverley often and have done for years. In fact,will be there this weekend en route to London. I find it ok apart from the up/over/down bits. And the waiting room has a lovely ceiling.

I remember when you drove in down the ramp and actually parked in the station!
Now I have to lurk outside opposite Brewhemia and get shouted at by taxi drivers.

I love that you say “apart from the up/over/down bits”. That’s basically the whole station 😆.

I think I remember people driving in, was there a little roundabout at the bottom or have I made that up.

OP posts:
Zooeymither · 08/10/2025 23:02

It’s quite straightforward, platform 13 or 14 for Glasgow unless it is platform 7b in which case it is alongside platform 10.

No Percy Pigs for me please, but chocolate in any form accepted.

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 23:00

ThatCalmFinch · 08/10/2025 22:47

Never had a problem with Waverley, nor Gare du Nord, nor St P but attempting to find my out of Paddington underground to exit in the main station has been traumatic. I also ended up walking in a circle for 20 minutes last week trying to find my way south to the river from Bank/Monument station - all exits from both stations seem to lead to each other.

Op will you consider expanding your role to cover confusing London underground stations?

Edited

But Paddington has painted lines on the floor, no?

I press the buttons to open the tube doors though, I think London underground needs a whole different skill set than I can humbly offer.

OP posts:
SparklyCardigan · 08/10/2025 23:00

What a morning the Network Rail comms team are going to have tomorrow, when they log on, check their station name Google alerts, and find this thread. I hope they get in touch with your formal job offer very shortly afterwards @TallOrLong.

GoBazGo · 08/10/2025 22:59

TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 22:53

In all honesty, I’m sure someone will be along who can help with this.

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

Does anyone know?

Show quote history

It’s ok, thanks for responding. I’ll just leave plenty of time to find it, wherever it is.

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 22:58

MoltenLasagne · 08/10/2025 22:51

I once took nearly 15 minutes to find platform 18, and was terrified I was going to miss my train, only for them to announce it was delayed for 30 minutes when I got there. I could have got the next train from a different platform but decided it wasn't worth it and stayed put.

Glad to see they're planning on making it more confusing - maybe suggest taking inspiration from New Street and adding random glass walls to stop you walking into the next zone...

And this ladies and gentlemen, is how you negotiate the escape room that is Waverley. Strategy.

OP posts:
Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 22:56

venusandmars · 08/10/2025 22:49

Absoloutely. I travel every few weeks on the main train Edinburgh to Glasgow. Today it went from platform 10.

Platform 10 was closed.

It actually went from p9, temporarily renamed as p10!!

This has made me laugh so much. They can’t take themselves seriously, surely?

OP posts:
venusandmars · 08/10/2025 22:55

To previous posters regarding Haymarket...

The phrase 'getting off at Haymarket' is akin to withdrawal (pulling out early). Well at least it was in my school girl days!

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 22:55

HGC2 · 08/10/2025 22:44

That is actually the perfect explanation!

Show quote history

This is true.

And proves that you don’t simply just follow the signs!

OP posts:
Hedjwitch · 08/10/2025 22:54

Use Waverley often and have done for years. In fact,will be there this weekend en route to London. I find it ok apart from the up/over/down bits. And the waiting room has a lovely ceiling.

I remember when you drove in down the ramp and actually parked in the station!
Now I have to lurk outside opposite Brewhemia and get shouted at by taxi drivers.

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 22:53

GoBazGo · 08/10/2025 22:33

Does anyone know the usual platform for trains to Preston (Great Western)? And landmarks to look for? TA.

In all honesty, I’m sure someone will be along who can help with this.

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

Does anyone know?

OP posts:
Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 22:51

SparklyCardigan · 08/10/2025 22:39

Sorry, I forgot about the Aberdeen/Dundee to London trains. They definitely go from Haymarket to Waverley then beyond. I think.

Show quote history

I get this train sometimes so negative marks to me for not realising! The robovac has escaped the boundary after all!

OP posts:
MoltenLasagne · 08/10/2025 22:51

I once took nearly 15 minutes to find platform 18, and was terrified I was going to miss my train, only for them to announce it was delayed for 30 minutes when I got there. I could have got the next train from a different platform but decided it wasn't worth it and stayed put.

Glad to see they're planning on making it more confusing - maybe suggest taking inspiration from New Street and adding random glass walls to stop you walking into the next zone...

venusandmars · 08/10/2025 22:49

Absoloutely. I travel every few weeks on the main train Edinburgh to Glasgow. Today it went from platform 10.

Platform 10 was closed.

It actually went from p9, temporarily renamed as p10!!

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 22:49

ThePieceHall · 08/10/2025 22:38

@TallOrLong

Once you’ve got Waverley ship-shape (love that station, mainly for the Wetherspoon’s), please will you come and sort out Leeds Railway Station?

Leeds is the GOLD STANDARD. Well in terms of logical, consistent ordering of platforms.

I agree there is work to be done on the pain of thinking you are at adjacent platforms but not factoring the need to ascend and descend Everest in order to make your 2 minute connection.

Also the longest platforms ever, I’ll also agree 11a and 11b does not make it clear they are in different timezones.

I think the issues in Leeds are beyond signage, they are not going to be solved by some percy pigs and a marker pen.

OP posts:
ThatCalmFinch · 08/10/2025 22:47

Never had a problem with Waverley, nor Gare du Nord, nor St P but attempting to find my out of Paddington underground to exit in the main station has been traumatic. I also ended up walking in a circle for 20 minutes last week trying to find my way south to the river from Bank/Monument station - all exits from both stations seem to lead to each other.

Op will you consider expanding your role to cover confusing London underground stations?

HGC2 · 08/10/2025 22:46

I usually depart from one of the hidden away platforms or the one you have to jog to the end for, imagine m confusion when yesterdays train left simply from a main platform by pret!

HGC2 · 08/10/2025 22:44

HGSurvivor1 · 08/10/2025 19:54

YANBU, it was designed by Escher

That is actually the perfect explanation!

GoBazGo · 08/10/2025 22:40

I’ll keep an eye out. Is Wacky Hat Man a poster or a person who frequents EW? Sorry can’t remember all posters names.

SparklyCardigan · 08/10/2025 22:39

TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 22:22

So a train that goes through Haymarket never goes beyond Waverley. That is a good fact, I didn’t know that. Ok, I’ll grant you that the seat advantage is therefore limited.

It reminds me of a no go zone like a robovac has. Must not breach the boundary!

Show quote history

Sorry, I forgot about the Aberdeen/Dundee to London trains. They definitely go from Haymarket to Waverley then beyond. I think.

ThePieceHall · 08/10/2025 22:38

@TallOrLong

Once you’ve got Waverley ship-shape (love that station, mainly for the Wetherspoon’s), please will you come and sort out Leeds Railway Station?