Automated Announcement Summary

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Anyway, Now A Welcome To The Latest Long-Awaited Summary Regarding Automated Announcements Currently Used On The UK Rail Network...... 

This article will highlight which voiceover artists are used for pre-automated announcements at each of the UK Train Operating Companies. 

Generally, Anne from ATOS is the main person used (she's even heard in Ireland), as the ATOS system becomes the most popular information provision system. 

Arriva Trains Wales: 

No change since 2016/2017....
- Stations use Ruth or Glyn, as these are billigual, however Fishguard Harbour isn't connected to the universal system so use text-to-speech voice Acapela Rachel. 

- Onboard the trains, ATW continue to use Ruth Announcements, plus pre-recorded Safety Messages by ATW staff and also sometimes manual announcements from the Train Crew onboard the train. 

At Chiltern, there's also no change. 

All stations (except Dorridge, which uses Anne as was previously run by London Midland) use the voice of:
- Celia Drummond (Northbound Trains), and 
- The late Phil Sayer (Southbound Trains).

East Midlands Trains Network:
No change since last year:

- Acapela Rachel: Alfreton, Barrow Upon Soar, Belper, Boston, Duffield, Gainsborough Lea Road, Kidsgrove, Market Rasen, Matlock, Matlock Bath, Melton Mowbray, Silent, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding, Spondon, Stamford, Syston, Wainfleet. This is because these stations have a text-to-speech system, as they're not connected to the main database.

- Anne at all other stations, with pre-recorded welcome/safety announcements by EMT competition winner. 
- Engineering Work Summary announcement pre-recorded by Information Provision Team. 

GTR Stations:

Following the passing of Phil Sayer, most GTR stations now use the pre-recorded voice of ATOS Anne and/or Matthew Streeton (their own employee, who also does s-stock 'mind the gap' announcements for TFL and 'please mind the gap' announcements on Class 700s). 
NOTE: Class 700s and other stock use the voice of Julie Berry onboard the train. 

GWR Stops:

No change regarding the use of pre-recorded Anne and Rodger.... 
Text-to-speech software at Camborne / Hanborough only.
Announcements onboard trains are being updated, rolled out across the Class 165/387 Units and other new-ish stock. These are recorded by a local News Reporter.

Greater Anglia Stations:

- No change regarding ANNE at stations (except Wymondham and Attleberough which use an Unknown pre-recorded voice). 

However, there are some new recordings:

- EMUs - Penalty Fare Service: "You must buy a ticket before you get on one of our trains. If you're unable to present a valid ticket when asked, you may be liable to pay a Penalty Fare".

- At stations: "Hello, my name is Sarah. If you're feeling unwell during your journey, please don't pull the emergency alarm. Help can be obtained more easily at the next station". 

- Huw Edwards (BBC Newsreader) onboard EMUs: "Please mind the gap between the train and the platform edge".
- "In the interest of safety, stand BEHIND the yellow line until your train has STOPPED."

- Safety Messages pre-recorded by ATOS Anne, or (like other TOCs) by the Information Provision Team. 
- Some Penalty Fare stations in Norfolk / Suffolk: "Penalty Fares are in operation at this station. You must possess a valid ticket before boarding the train. If you possess an advance ticket, you must travel on the service specified on your ticket. 

At London Northwestern Stations: 

Anne Announcements, otherwise pre-recorded in the control room. 
Julie Berry onboard trains. Many trains still announce as "London Midland" whilst the software is awaiting to be programmed in the next upgrade. This is natural when a new franchise takes over, as it takes time to rebrand throughout the software etc. 

Southern and South Eastern:

- Class 395: Manual AND Julie Berry. 

- Julie Berry generally onboard most stock. 

ScotRail:

- Ayr, Dalmarnock, Exhibition Centre, Glengarnock, Perth and Killwinning all use Fiona for station announcements.

- Carstairs, Dalmeny, Edinburgh Park, Haymarket and Motherwell, Nitshill, Stirling and Prestonpans use a scottish female who's unknown. 

- Karen is used at Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley.

- Actress Fletcher Mathers is used onboard train services.

South Western Railway:

- Aside from Class 456 stock that doesn't yet have announcements, all voiceovers on trains are by Celia Drummond - there is an example here for the "don't encourage the beggars" announcement.

- Stations also use the similar set up of using the voice of Phil and Celia..... although Phil is gradually being phased out since his death. Meanwhile, Celia has re-recorded most of the messages (continues to be upgraded across the SWR network), re-read at a slower pace. 

TFL Rail: 

Anne Announcements are used across the Cross Rail TFL Rail route, but live manual announcements are made by the control team in the event of disruption/delays. 
Onboard the train, Julie Berry announces on 315s. Meanwhile, Emma Hignett (voice of Tfl Overground and London Buses) does the pre-recorded announcements on the new crossrail Aventra Stock. 

Virgin West Coast route:

No change at Virgin West Coast, which use a male and female voice for their Pendolinos, voiced with a a slightly more informal style to many TOCs. The 'only woman' continues to be used at most Virgin Trains hub stations. 

Virgin East Coast Stations:

At VTEC, live manual announcements continue to be made at the main hub stations, like Peterborough, and on-board trains.