Atos, and later its former subsidiary Worldline, is the name of a customer information system, used by many train operating companies in the United Kingdom. In the late 90s, the system was originally known as SEMA, until it merged with Atos in 2000. Unlike Ditra/Amey and KeTech, that hire voice over artists that do announcements. Atos hire people who work at the company in the CIS sector, and also hire male/female announcers that work for the railway industry; for example: Rodger, Karen, Ruth, Eryl/Glyn, et cetera. Their recordings are done at Beeston in Nottingham, and then later to Genius, to input the announcements to the TOC CIS system. There are also a few that use Text-to-Speech software that they deploy on the system.
They are headquartered in Bezons, near Paris, France.
| Voice | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ruth Mitchell | 1996-present | Female/English voice for systems installed at Transport for Wales stations, although she was first installed at Truro station in 1996. |
| Glyn | 1998-present | Male/Welsh voice for systems installed at Transport for Wales stations. Does not do announcements at English stations managed by the company. |
| Anne | 1999-present | Female voice who is at most English stations and a number of Network Rail stations with the Atos system installed. |
| Mike | 2002-present | Male voice for a handful of systems installed by Network Rail and Southeastern. Usually shares his stations with Anne. |
| Juliet Donnache | 2003-2013 | Former announcer at Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverly. Karen Cunningham took over Juliet at Glasgow Central in Spring 2011 and Edinburgh Waverly in Winter 2013. |
| Matt | 2011-present | Male voice for systems installed at GTR (Thameslink, Great Northern and Southern) stations, as well as the voice for safety announcements on Thameslink class 700 trains. Usually shares his stations with Anne. |
| Rodger | 2011-present | Male voice for systems installed at Great Western Railway and South Western Railway stations. Usually shares his stations with Anne. |
| Karen Cunningham | 2011-present | Voice for systems in Scotland. Two at Network Rail stations in Glasgow and Edinburgh and one at Glasgow Queen Street. |
| Andy | 2013-2016 | Former announcer at Birmingham New Street. Before 2013 he did announcements manually since 1991. |
Great Western Railway[]
Great Western Railways Atos system have 3 announcements per train, and they use Anne & Rodgers voices, mainly after chimes was playing. On branch lines, that have Atos announcements or small stations its mainly 2 announcements per train, and no chimes is mostly playing, voiced by Anne & Rodger.
Announcements on Mainline:[]
First announcement is played 3 minutes before departure:
Platform 7 for the 11:06 Great Western Railway service to Bristol Temple Meads. Calling at: Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads. This train has 10 coaches. First class accommodation can be found in Zones 1, 2, 9 & 10. Standard class in Zones 3 to 8. Wheelchair facilities in Zones 2 & 6. Cycle spaces in Zones 3 & 7. Platform 7 for the 11:06 Great Western Railway service to Bristol Temple Meads.
Second announcement is played 1 1/2 minutes before departure:
The next train to arrive at Platform 7 will be the 11:06 Great Western Railway service to Bristol Temple Meads. This is the service from London Paddington.
Arrival announcement:
The train at Platform 7 for the 11:06 Great Western Railway service to Bristol Temple Meads. Calling at: Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads. This train has 10 coaches. First class accommodation can be found in Zones 1, 2, 9 & 10. Standard class in Zones 3 to 8. Wheelchair facilities in Zones 2 & 6. Cycle spaces in Zones 3 & 7.
Announcements on Branch lines:[]
First announcement is played 3 minutes before departure:
Platform 1 for the 12:06 Great Western Railway service to Truro. Calling at: Penmere, Penryn, Perranwell and Truro. This train has 2 coaches. Platform 1 for the 12:06 Great Western Railway service to Truro.
Second announcement is played 1 1/2 minutes before departure:
The next train to arrive at/depart from Platform 1 will be the 12:06 Great Western Railway service to Truro.
South Western Railway[]
South Western Railway announcements vary between 1 to 3 announcements per train. As of 22-5-2019, All South Western Railway stations that used to have the Ditra/Amey systems have now been replaced by the Atos system. There are 2-3 train announcements per train at SWR stations, depending on the situation. 2 Tone Chimes are used in larger SWR stations unless specified.
2-3 minutes before expected arrival time: The next train to leave Platform 8 is the 17:58 South Western Railway service to Epsom. Calling at: Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Motspur Park, Worcester Park, Stoneleigh, Ewell West and Epsom. This train has 8 carriages. Please allow others to leave the train before boarding. Please mind the gap between the train and the platform edge. (optional, depends on condition)
Upon Arrival: Platform 8 for the 17:58 South Western Railway service to Epsom. Calling at: Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Motspur Park, Worcester Park, Stoneleigh, Ewell West and Epsom. This train has 8 carriages.
Short Platform announcements are announced very differently compared to other train companies station's Atos system: "Some stations have short platforms, If you are travelling to Hilsea, you will need to travel in the front 7 carriages of the train. If you are travelling to Rowlands Castle, you will need to travel in the front 6 carriages of the train."
Standing announcements are only played when there's still 1.5-2 mins left before planned departure time when the Upon Arrival announcement has finished playing with nothing to announce.
Standing Announcement: The train at Platform 8 is the 17:58 South Western Railway service to Epsom. Calling at: Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Motspur Park, Worcester Park, Stoneleigh, Ewell West and Epsom. This train has 8 carriages. 'Please allow others to leave the train before boarding, Please mind the gap between the train and the platform edge. '(Optional, depends on condition)
Only Rodger says "Please mind the gap between the train and the platform edge" on SWR's network during the day, Anne announces it during the night. As of 2020 Rodger additonally says "Please allow others to leave the train before boarding."
Anne uses newer Recordings of "service to", "calling at", "is the" and "For the" on SWR. Her British Transport Police announcement is also a newer version.
LNER (London North Eastern Railway)[]
LNER have rolled out Atos using Anne to all of their managed stations with the most recent installation being at Grantham in June 2023.
3 announcements per train for through trains.[]
First announcement is played 3-5 minutes before arrival: "The next train to arrive at platform 3 will be the 10:57 LNER Azuma service to London Kings Cross. Calling at: London Kings Cross only. This train has 9 coaches."
Second announcement is played when the train approaches the station: "Platform 3, for the 10:57 LNER Azuma service to London Kings Cross. Calling at: London Kings Cross only. This train has 9 coaches. Platform 3 for the 10:57 LNER Azuma service to London Kings Cross."
Third announcements is played 2 minutes before departure: "The train at platform 3 is the 10:57 LNER Azuma service to London Kings Cross. Calling at: London Kings Cross only. This train has 9 coaches."
2 announcements per train for trains starting at station.[]
First announcement is played 10 minutes before departure: "Platform 6, for the 12:02 LNER service to London Kings Cross. Calling at: Doncaster, Retford, Newark Northgate, Grantham, Stevenage and London Kings Cross. This train has 9 coaches."
Second announcement is played 2 minutes before departure: "Platform 6, for the 12:02 LNER service to London Kings Cross. Calling at: Doncaster, Retford, Newark Northgate, Grantham, Stevenage and London Kings Cross. This train has 9 coaches."
Platform Alteration Announcement: "Your Attention Please, There has been a Platform Change for the 11:00 LNER Azuma service to Lincoln Central, It will now leave from Platform 5B
Delayed/Cancelled Announcement: ''We are sorry to announce that the 11:59 LNER service to London Kings Cross has been cancelled (or delayed by approximately x minutes), This is due to a shortage of train crew, We are sorry that your journey will take longer then planned''
West Midlands Trains[]
West Midlands Trains (London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway) Atos announcement generally had 1 announcement per train and were played when the train was arriving at through stations or 5 minutes before departure for trains starting at all stations which were previously voiced by Anne:
Platform 2 for the 13:48 West Midlands Railway service to Worcester Shrub Hill. Calling at: Stourbridge Junction, Hagley, Blakedown, Kidderminster, Hartlebury, Droitwich Spa and Worcester Shrub Hill. This train has 6 carriages.
Southern (GTR)[]
Southern's Atos announcements are 1 announcement per train played when train arrives, and they are voiced by Anne and/or Matthew Streeton
Platform 4 for the 08:30 Southern service to London Bridge. Calling at: East Croydon, Norwood Junction and London Bridge. This train is formed of 8 coaches.
Southeastern[]
Southeastern's Atos announcements varies between 1 to 2 announcements per train. First announcement at most stations is played 3 minutes before before arrival. Second announcement is played when the train arrives. some stations only announce when the train is arriving
"Platform 1 for the 18:35 Southeastern service to London Victoria. Calling at: Meopham, Longfield, Bromley South and London Victoria. This train has 8 coaches."
When a train starts at a station (except for London Terminals) announcements are played 3 minutes prior to departure with Replacement bus announcements being made 2 minutes prior departure
Southeastern was the first TOC to receive Anne's lift status announcements with the original text being 'Please Note, Some of the lifts at Stations where this train calls are currently out of service, Please speak to a member of staff if you need further assistance' the middle part was sooner replaced by lifts at specific station such as 'Folkestone Central' now there is a extra bit where the announcements advices you where the nearest station with Step Free access is
Thameslink/Great Northern (GTR)[]
Thameslink and Great Northern announce 1 or 2 announcements per train usually announces when train arrives if its 1 announcement but if 2 announcements are made first announcement would be played 3 minutes before departure. Announcements are voiced by Anne & Matthew Streeton.
Platform 2 for the 10:26 Thameslink service to Bedford via Luton Airport Parkway. This train is formed of 12 Coaches. Calling at: City Thameslink, Farringdon, St. Pancras International, West Hampstead Thameslink, St. Albans City, Harpenden, Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Leagrave, Harlington, Flitwick and Bedford. Customers are reminded to mind the gap between the train and platform edge when boarding.
TransPennine Express[]
Rob Randall was the announcer for TPE, but he was replaced at the end of 2017. Anne is used at all TPE stations.
The announcement pattern is as follows;
For through trains there are usually two announcements per train.
"The next train to arrive at platform 1 will be the 18:08 TransPennine Express service to Manchester Airport. Calling at: Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport. This train has 3 carriages." plays 3 minutes before arrival time.
"Platform 1 for the 18:08 TransPennine Express service to Manchester Airport. Calling at:..." plays as the train is arriving at the station. At Huddersfield and Barnetby this is the only announcement for through trains.
For trains which start at the station, there are two or one announcements per train.
"The next train to depart from platform 1 will be the 13:34 TransPennine Express service to York. Calling at: Seamer, Malton and York. This train has 5 carriages. Platform 1 for the 13:34 TransPennine Express service to York." is played 5 and 2 minutes before the train is due to depart at Scarborough, Middlesbrough, Cleethorpes and Hull. At the others it plays once, 3 minutes before departure time.
London Overground[]
Atos installations on the London Overground stations are used on the West Anglia and East London lines voiced by Anne. Now rolled out to GOBLIN, North London and Watford DC lines (excluding Kew Gardens, Gunnersbury, Queens Park, Kensal Green and stations between Harlesden and Harrow & Wealdstone); generally 2 announcements per train.
At through stations, the first announcement is made approximately 5 minutes before departure:
"The next train to arrive at Platform 2 will be the 12:28 London Overground service to Barking Riverside. Calling at: Crouch Hill, Harringay Green Lanes, South Tottenham, Blackhorse Road, Walthamstow Queens Road, Leyton Midland Road, Leytonstone High Road, Wanstead Park, Woodgrange Park, Barking and Barking Riverside."
"Platform 2 for the 12:28 London Overground service to Barking Riverside. Calling at: Crouch Hill, Harringay Green Lanes, South Tottenham, Blackhorse Road, Walthamstow Queens Road, Leyton Midland Road, Leytonstone High Road, Wanstead Park, Woodgrange Park, Barking and Barking Riverside."
At terminus stations, only one announcement is made 3 minutes before departure:
"The next train to depart from Platform 2 will be the 14:03 London Overground service to Gospel Oak. Calling at: Barking, Woodgrange Park, Wanstead Park, Leytonstone High Road, Leyton Midland Road, Walthamstow Queens Road, Blackhorse Road, South Tottenham, Harringay Green Lanes, Crouch Hill, Upper Holloway and Gospel Oak. Platform 2 for the 14:03 London Overground service to Gospel Oak."
Network Rail stations (England)[]
Many Network Rail stations in London differ when it comes to how many announcements per train and also announcements before departure.
London Paddington:[]
"Platform 3 for the 15:39 Great Western Railway service to Exeter St. Davids. Calling at: Reading, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St. Davids. This train is formed of 9 coaches. Change at: Exeter St. Davids for services to Plymouth, Paignton, Barnstaple and Penzance. There is an express cafe on this service. Please be aware that you can only bring a bicycle on this service if you have booked beforehand. First class accommodation is at the rear of the train." - Played 7 minutes before departure
"The train at Platform 3 is the 15:39 Great Western Railway service to Exeter St. Davids. Calling at: Reading, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham, Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St. Davids. This train is formed of 9 coaches. There is an express cafe on this service. First class accommodation is at the rear of the train. Will passengers intending to travel on this service please join the train now as it is ready to leave! Platform 3 for the 15:39 Great Western Railway service to Exeter St. Davids which is ready to leave." - Played 3 minutes before departure.
Leeds:[]
Trains that stop at this service between origin and destination are 2 - 3 announcements per train:
"The next train to arrive at Platform 9 will be the 17:39 CrossCountry service to Penzance. Calling at: Wakefield Wesgate, Sheffield, Derby, Tamworth, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham New Street, Chelthem Spa, Bristol Parkway, Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St. Davids, Newton Abbot, Totness, Plymouth, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, St. Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, St. Erth and Penzance. This train has 7 carriages. First Class accommodation is at the rear of the train. Platform 9 for the 17:39 CrossCountry service to Penzance."
Standing announcement:
"The train at Platform 9 is the 17:39 CrossCountry service to Penzance. Calling at: Wakefield Wesgate, Sheffield, Derby, Tamworth, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham New Street, Chelthem Spa, Bristol Parkway, Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St. Davids, Newton Abbot, Totness, Plymouth, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, St. Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, St. Erth and Penzance. This train has 7 carriages. First Class accommodation is at the rear of the train."
Trains starting from this station will be 1 or 2 announcements per train.
"The next train to arrive at Platform 5B will be the 17:19 Northern service to Poppleton via Harrogate. Calling at: Burley Park, Headingley, Horsforth, Weeton, Pannal, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, Starbeck, Knaresbrough, Cattle, Hamerton and Poppleton. This train has 3 carriages. Platform 5B for the 17:19 Northern service to Poppleton via Harrogate."
"The next train to depart from Platform 6 will be the 11:05 LNER Azuma service to London Kings Cross, Calling at: Wakefiled Westgate, Doncaster, Grantham, Stevenage and London Kings Cross. This train has 9 carriages. First Class accommodation is at the front of the train. Platform 6 for the 11:05 LNER Azuma service to London Kings Cross."
London King's Cross:[]
Typically 2 announcements per train; first one is around 10 to 20 minutes before departure:
"The next train to depart from Platform 1 will the 10:03 LNER Azuma service to Leeds. Calling at: Peterborough, Doncaster, Wakefield Westgate and Leeds. This train is formed of 9 coaches. Platform 1 for the 10:03 LNER Azuma service to Leeds. Customers are reminded to mind the gap between the train and platform edge when boarding."
Final announcement, usually 3 minutes before departure:
"The train at Platform 1 is the 10:03 LNER Azuma service to Leeds. Calling at: Peterborough, Doncaster, Wakefield Westgate and Leeds. This train is formed of 9 coaches. Will passengers intending to travel on this service, please join the train now as it is ready to leave. Platform 1 for the 10:03 LNER Azuma service to Leeds, which is ready to leave. Customers are reminded to mind the gap between the train and platform edge when boarding."
Note - "Mind the gap" is only announced for LNER services
London Euston:[]
Only one announcement per train. Avanti West Coast services are typically announced as early as 20 minutes before departure:
"Platform 12 for the 10:16 Avanti West Coast service to Edinburgh via Birmingham New Street. Calling at: Milton Keynes Central, Rugby, Coventry, Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Sandwell & Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Preston, Lancaster, Penrith (for the North Lakes), Carlisle, Haymarket and Edinburgh. This train is formed of 11 coaches. Due to a short platform, passengers for Haymarket should board the front 9 coaches"
Note - "Please be aware that tickets marked "London Northwestern Railway only" are not valid on this train" and "Please note: barriers close 2 minutes before departure" are occasionally announced on Avanti services.
London Northwestern Railway and London Overground services are announced 10 minutes before departure or as soon as the service shows up on the screen:
"Platform 12 for the 07:23 London Northwestern Railway service to Birmingham New Street via Northampton. Calling at: Watford Junction, Leighton Buzzard, Bletchley, Milton Keynes Central, Wolverton, Northampton, Long Buckby, Rugby, Coventry, Canley, Tile Hill, Berkswell, Hampton-in-Arden, Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street. This train is formed of 8 coaches"
The first announcement for Caledonian Sleeper services as soon as boarding begins:
"The train at Platform 1 is the 21:15 Caledonian Sleeper service to Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. Please travel in the rear coaches of the train for Dalmuir, Dumbarton Central, Helensburgh Upper, Garelochhead, Arrochar & Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Upper Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch, Corrur, Tulloch, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge and Fort William. Please travel in the middle coaches of the train for Inverkeithing, Kirkcaldy, Leuchars, Dundee, Carnoustie, Arbroath, Montrose, Stonehaven and Aberdeen. Please travel in the front coaches of the train for Stirling, Dunblane, Gleneagles, Perth, Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore, Carrbridge and Inverness. Platform 1 for the 21:15 Caledonian Sleeper service to Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness"
The final announcement for Caledonian Sleeper services is played 20 minutes before departure:
"The train at Platform 1 is the 21:15 Caledonian Sleeper service to Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness. Please travel in the rear coaches of the train for Dalmuir, Dumbarton Central, Helensburgh Upper, Garelochhead, Arrochar & Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Upper Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch, Corrur, Tulloch, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge and Fort William. Please travel in the middle coaches of the train for Inverkeithing, Kirkcaldy, Leuchars, Dundee, Carnoustie, Arbroath, Montrose, Stonehaven and Aberdeen. Please travel in the front coaches of the train for Stirling, Dunblane, Gleneagles, Perth, Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore, Carrbridge and Inverness. Will passengers intending to travel on this service, please join the train now as it is ready to leave. Platform 1 for the 21:15 Caledonian Sleeper service to Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness, which is ready to leave"
Anne doesn't say number of coaches for Caledonian Sleeper services.
Liverpool Lime Street:[]
Only one announcement per train 3 minutes before departure:
"The next train to depart from Platform 6 will be the 14:33 London Northwestern Railway service to Birmingham New Street. Calling at: Liverpool South Parkway, Runcorn, Acton Bridge, Hartford, Winsford, Crewe, Stafford, Penkridge, Wolverhampton, Smethwick Galton Bridge and Birmingham New Street. This train is formed of 8 coaches. Due to short platforms, passengers for Liverpool South Parkway, Acton Bridge, Winsford, Penkridge and Smethwick Galton Bridge should board the front 4 coaches. Platform 6 for the 14:33 London Northwestern Railway service to Birmingham New Street."
London Liverpool Street:[]
Only one announcement per train 5 minutes before departure:
"The train at Platform 13 is the 13:55 Greater Anglia servicec to Southend Victoria. Calling at: Stratford, Shenfield, Billericay, Wickford, Rayleigh, Hockley, Rochford, Southend Airport, Prittlewell and Southend Victoria. This train is formed of 10 coaches."
Manchester Piccadilly:[]
The first announcement from Platforms 1-12 is made 10 minutes before departure:
"Platform 1 for the 09:35 Transpennine Express service to Scarborough. Calling at: Stalybridge, Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Leeds, York, Malton, Seamer and Scarborough. This train is formed of 3 coaches. Platform 1 for the 09:35 Transpennine Express service to Scarborough."
Greater Anglia[]
Greater Anglia's Atos announcements generally had 2 announcements per train voiced by Anne. As of 2020, Anne no longer announces at Greater Anglia stations having been fully replaced by text to speech Amy.
First announcement:
"The next train at Platform 2 is the 12:35 CrossCountry service to Stansted Airport. Calling at: Ely, Cambridge, Audley End and Stansted Airport. This train is formed of 3 coaches. First class seating is at the rear of the train. Platform 2 is the 12:35 CrossCountry service to Cambridge North."
Second announcement:
"The train at Platform 2 is the 12:35 CrossCountry service to Stansted Airport. Calling at: Ely, Cambridge, Audley End and Stansted Airport. This train is formed of 3 coaches. First class seating is at the rear of the train. Platform 2 is the 12:35 CrossCountry service to Cambridge North."