What are those three ascending beeps that you always hear on Virgin trains?! What do they mean??

Question

Its not a warning about the doors coz it does it when your going along.

Answer 1

that is the monotering system that records and logs the numbers from all the mobile phones that are being used on the train!!!!!

Answer 2

Never mind that, what is the hideous stench you always get on Virgin trains? I think the beeps are just a warning to get away from the doors before they open and close.

Answer 3

Three on the bell means 'set back' in shunter/guard to driver communication and these will only be used when shunting the train; this is not what you are hearing.  So it is safe to assume that the beeps you hear are an automatic warning of some kind unique to to type of train.  Do the beeps coincide with visual warning displays like what the next station stop is for instance?

Answer 4

does it not mean the next stop is coming up?

Answer 5

It could mean train ready to start. The Train Manager will give 2 buzzes to the driver who will buzz back to acknowledge the signal, and the train will move off.

Answer 6

There are several tones broadcast over the PA system.

The most common is the one you describe, which is a crew call, meaning the catering crew want to speak to the train manager or vice versa. There is a softer version, which means the driver wants to speak to the train manager. Then there is the "Press For Assistance" button activation. These buttons are located in the toilets and wheelchair areas. The train manager can see which button has been pressed on the train management system computer screen and deal with the problem quickly.

There is another tone to denote that a passenger communication

handle has been pulled, another to denote an exterior door fault and the loudest of all is the fire alarm, which is a continuous two-tone siren.

Answer 7

They are "crew calls" for the members of staff on the train.

Answer 8

Crew Calls, they have various meanings from 'Fault detected, please see diagnosis screen' (a fault could be anything from a broken led reservation display to engine failure), 'Alarm in Toilet activated', 'Could gaurd go to Driver's cab/shop' etc.

Answer 9

I think it might be the guard giving permission to start the train moving.

Answer 10

if it doesnt relate to the doors opening or closing then it is likely to be crew comms

Answer 11

They are an audible warning for deaf people that the doors are about to open or close!

Answer 12

last time i was on a virgin train there were beeps going off all the time cos people were pulling the help cord in the toilets thinking it was the flush!

Answer 13

Mark B is basically correct. As the train manager could be anywhere on the train, it alerts him or her that their attention is required. This could be for any number of things, including:

Contact the driver;

Member of staff requires assistance;

Red (Assistance) Cord pulled in toilet (most common!);

Fault detected (normally minor - actually - normally incorrect diagnosis!!!) and so on.

Hope that helps.