Wednesday, February 23, 2011

All aboard, all aboard...


Yesterday, I went to Lille in the North of France in train (TGV ), so quite logically, I took this photo in the Gare du nord (North) station. As you can see it's the departure board. The interesting part is that besides the clock on the bottom right, the display has not been replaced with a large LCD screen nor LED digits. I don't know how it works exactly, but whenever a new train leaves you can hear the scroll of each letter being replaced by another. the photo is not very good, but I only had my camera phone with me...

21 comments:

  1. The sound that plays whenever a new voie is updated drives me mad! If I'm waiting in the station for an hour, I can really only hear those tones so many times in a row... all of your other pictures are beautiful but this one reminds me of being (irrationally?) irritated in a train station!

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  2. Sorry, Melissa, but I absolutely love that sound. Number one, it let's me know that I'm in Europe again. Two, it's a great link to tradition. Three, you can carry on a conversation with someone or read a book without constantly looking at the board, just wait for that sound.

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  3. Oh, I love that suond! Thanks for reminding me of it -- we'll soon be passing through Gare du Nord once again -- can't wait!

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  4. It is wonderful that this has not changed! I love it too. Lots of good memories arriving at and departing from Gare du Nord on many wonderful adventures.

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  5. One thing I "love" on this Gare du Nord board is the mix between international dreamy destinations (London, Amsterdam, ...) and much less dreamy places such as Creil or Persan (few kms north of Paris ...)

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  6. I like he sound of the scroll of letters changing. I think they did it on purpose.

    Regards

    Valery

    [Barcelona Daily Photo]

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  7. As long as it works, who cares?
    Anyway, it's keeping all the tiny little elves inside it busy changing the letters and numbers. If they weren't doing this, who knows what mischief they might get up to.

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  8. I remember this board and I love it and the sound of it, but it also makes me sad, because when I have to stand and watch it, it means I'm leaving Paris.

    @Thib; I think all places near Paris are dream destinations, lol ;o)

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  9. If it ain't broke don't fix it. It's refreshing to see a bit of old technology

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  10. My first thought when I read this post was how much I love the sound of those letters and numbers turning over. Hope the Gare du Nord never "goes digital"!

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  11. @Bettina: not sure ;-) There are a few places I wouldn't recommend for a holiday break...

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  12. Oooh, I have heard that sound in movies, but to hear it in person...Ooh, la, la! How very French! I can't wait!!

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  13. Hi there! Just need your help, for some reasons I cannot open my account in city daily photo, I sent my mail and the message is that it couldn't recognized my e-mail. I'm the owner of http://taipeicitydailyphoto.blogspot.com/
    thanks!

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  14. I've never taken then train in France other than the Metro, so I don't know the sound! Next time, even if I don't take the train I'll go to the Gare du Nord just to hear it. I like the sign because it's old fashioned. I'm traditional that way.

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  15. Thank you, thank you , thank you....I have been (unsuccesfully) trying to capture this shot for years. Everytime I do, I have glare from the flash. Obviously, I am not as talented as a photographer as you are. Anyway, you made me smile on this cold California morning.

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  16. The sound of the scrolling letters is one of my absolute favorite in the world. I don' know why, but I find it very soothing and it gives me such a happy feeling. Maybe it's because it tells me I'm going somewhere.

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  17. I'm not sure what people will say when I tell them my next Paris trip "to do list" includes going to the train station to.... listen to the signs!

    But no doubt about it, that's what I'll be doing. I love that its not digitized (and I feel much better about the elves).

    Awesome eye for documentation of your daily life, Eric!

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  18. That sound holds feelings of romance for me. On my first (and only) trip to Europe I was thrilled when I heard that sound. I'd seen/heard the board in movies and was delighted that I was there in Gare du nord to hear it in person.

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  19. Perfect photo: old technology, and a slightly fuzzy photo (with a telephone). I, too, love the sound of the letters scrambling around.

    The one bad thing to see is a red light next to your train. I don't know if the French boards show this, but the one in Milan a few years ago told me of a two hour delay. That was a boring wait...waiting to go, not for Godot.

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  20. A little late, but I too am one of the people who loves the sound!

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