Station clocks

[Nigel]

Whenever I go out travelling around the network (on challenges or otherwise) I usually set my watch via a time signal to be accurate to the nearest second. In the past I have found that most digital clocks on tube platforms are all in synch with this. However, I noticed on Wednesday when doing my full network, that there didn't seem to be any consistency and some station clocks were nearly a minute out (either fast or slow). Does anyone know why this may be? Also, are drivers supposed to rely on these clocks for their departure times or do they use something else?

[tubeguru]

I've been issued with one of those atomic watches which updates to the correct time every day.

I never use it ...

[dudey]

I've been issued with one of those atomic watches which updates to the correct time every day.

I never use it ...

And thus FGW's (possibly) poor punctuality record is explained

*lights blue touch paper, runs away*

[tubeguru]

Ha.

I don't wear it for a number of reasons.

First, there is nothing wrong with the old system of looking at my old railway-issue watch and calibrating it with the electronic station clocks.
Second, it's all very well giving me a watch that gets its time from somewhere or other, but the station clocks themselves - do they run to the same system? If not, then the station clocks are redundant and should be done away with. But then the station clocks are for passenger use, and so we can't get rid of them.
Third, they look gay and I won't be seen dead wearing one.

That is all.

[Starkey7]

Surely they look distinctive.

I have a theory about why longer-distance operators' trains run late more frequently.

[tubeguru]

I'm sure it will be earth-shattering ...

[Nigel]

I have a theory about why longer-distance operators' trains run late more frequently.

And your theory is ....?

(a) Because they run for longer, so they have more opportunities to be late?

(b) Because they go faster, the watches of the drivers run more slowly due to relativistic effects?

[tubeguru]

(b) Because they go faster, the watches of the drivers run more slowly due to relativistic effects?

Oh yeah, it's all to do with Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity, which FGW incorporate into our diagrams ...

[Starkey7]

Oh, well, I was actually thinking of the first option.

[The Raven]

I've often set my watch (in recent attempts) to the clock that the driver can see at Chesham statin. "LU time", I call it - and take everything from there.

Recently I've set my watch to "Chesham" time, only to notice that NOT ONE other station clock showed exactly the same time! My favourite though was at Watford station which showed two different times on each platform. I never new that each Watford platform was in a slightly different time zone to each other?

[RichieG]

(b) Because they go faster, the watches of the drivers run more slowly due to relativistic effects?

Oh yeah, it's all to do with Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity, which FGW incorporate into our diagrams ...

Brunel would be proud.

I've often wondered whether it is possible to get off a speeding ticket by using that Theory as an excuse...

[palkanetoijala31]

I wish i had actually taken a picture of it but the 2 clocks at the end of the platform at Watford were 40 s differant despite only being 5 foot apart.