Whilst on our travels on the H&C, we noticed something else had changed, that we think came into effect with the December 2013 timetable.
At Barking, there is a bay road/platform where H&C trains normally terminate and turn around in. Within the Station Master App this is what the exit information lists – Platform 3.
But now it seems that H&C trains are terminating on the same platform as District trains (Platforms 1a and 2) but whereas District trains open their doors on both sides, H&C trains only open the doors on the right, Platform 2 only.
The train then goes into sidings beyond the station, and comes back into service (as shown here) on Platform 6 instead.
A ‘S7’ stock train on the H&C line starts it journey at Platform 6, Barking.
We’re not sure if it’s a permanent thing, or just something that’s being tried out. It also seems to change depending on what time of day it is, so it is rather confusing if your starting station is Barking as to which platform to go to for the next train …