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Why do trains have a winter timetable? Why do trains have a winter timetable?
(about 3 hours later)
The latest UK rail timetable is up and running. Why do we get a new one every winter?The latest UK rail timetable is up and running. Why do we get a new one every winter?
Trainspotters of Britain, here is the latest service update: your schedule for the next six months has arrived.Trainspotters of Britain, here is the latest service update: your schedule for the next six months has arrived.
Each December and May, train operating companies and Network Rail, which owns the UK's railway lines, publish updated timetables.Each December and May, train operating companies and Network Rail, which owns the UK's railway lines, publish updated timetables.
These changes, often by just a couple of minutes, may seem baffling to commuters who depend on being on the right platform at the right time each morning. But maintenance work , service alterations and seasonal pressures - at peak leaves-on-the-line times, some trains have to leave up to four minutes earlier - all mean the giant jigsaw that is the national railway schedule needs to be regularly adjusted.These changes, often by just a couple of minutes, may seem baffling to commuters who depend on being on the right platform at the right time each morning. But maintenance work , service alterations and seasonal pressures - at peak leaves-on-the-line times, some trains have to leave up to four minutes earlier - all mean the giant jigsaw that is the national railway schedule needs to be regularly adjusted.
Additionally, since 2004, an EU directive has required member states to change their timetables on the same date in December to prevent clashes between networks.Additionally, since 2004, an EU directive has required member states to change their timetables on the same date in December to prevent clashes between networks.
Independent travel consultant Barry Doe says the dawn of Eurostar, linking Britain's network to that of the continent, meant it was entirely sensible that this applies to the UK.Independent travel consultant Barry Doe says the dawn of Eurostar, linking Britain's network to that of the continent, meant it was entirely sensible that this applies to the UK.
However, he questions the wisdom of introducing new services at a time when the weather and the Christmas holidays have a disruptive effect on services - the winter 2010 schedule taking effect from 12 December.However, he questions the wisdom of introducing new services at a time when the weather and the Christmas holidays have a disruptive effect on services - the winter 2010 schedule taking effect from 12 December.
"It's the most stupid time of the year to change it," he says. "Very soon after it's introduced, the whole thing is thrown to the wind. It doesn't really start to get off the ground until 3 or 4 January.""It's the most stupid time of the year to change it," he says. "Very soon after it's introduced, the whole thing is thrown to the wind. It doesn't really start to get off the ground until 3 or 4 January."
Nonetheless, the logic of regularly updating the schedule becomes clearer when you consider the many variables that can affect the UK's 25,000 train services every day to more than 2,500 stations.Nonetheless, the logic of regularly updating the schedule becomes clearer when you consider the many variables that can affect the UK's 25,000 train services every day to more than 2,500 stations.
Even minor alterations potentially having knock-on effects on when other trains can use stretches of track and arrive at platforms.Even minor alterations potentially having knock-on effects on when other trains can use stretches of track and arrive at platforms.
Maintenance work must be scheduled months in advance. Events like Wimbledon or the Glastonbury festival require additional services. And during the peak leaf-falling period of September to December, morning services often start slightly earlier to allow for delays.Maintenance work must be scheduled months in advance. Events like Wimbledon or the Glastonbury festival require additional services. And during the peak leaf-falling period of September to December, morning services often start slightly earlier to allow for delays.
The introduction of new services - such as those along the new Airdrie to Bathgate line in central Scotland - and the downgrading of others require updates.The introduction of new services - such as those along the new Airdrie to Bathgate line in central Scotland - and the downgrading of others require updates.
These are made to the working timetable - a far more detailed document than the schedules passengers pick up at stations.These are made to the working timetable - a far more detailed document than the schedules passengers pick up at stations.
It details every train movement on the network, setting out the times of arrival and departure of trains and appropriate passing points.It details every train movement on the network, setting out the times of arrival and departure of trains and appropriate passing points.
As well as regular schedules for routes, it also sets out specific timetables for weekends affected by engineering works as well as for longer periods which may witness adjustments - such as the autumn leaves-on-the-line peak.As well as regular schedules for routes, it also sets out specific timetables for weekends affected by engineering works as well as for longer periods which may witness adjustments - such as the autumn leaves-on-the-line peak.
This mammoth tome - essential for signallers and drivers, and highly prized by rail enthusiasts - also forms the basis for bookings and National Rail inquiries. This mammoth tome - essential for signallers and drivers, and highly prized by rail enthusiasts - also forms the basis for bookings and National Rail Enquiries.
"The working timetable is an amazingly complicated thing," says Barry Doe. "Every day of the year is different.""The working timetable is an amazingly complicated thing," says Barry Doe. "Every day of the year is different."
Updating it is a major undertaking in a country with such a large railway system. According to Network Rail, some 600 people across the country are involved in the task of scheduling passenger and freight services.Updating it is a major undertaking in a country with such a large railway system. According to Network Rail, some 600 people across the country are involved in the task of scheduling passenger and freight services.
Of these, about half are employed by Network Rail, most of them based at the not-for-profit company's York office. Their role is mostly a co-ordinating one although the Office of Rail Regulation can be brought in to adjudicate in any disputes.Of these, about half are employed by Network Rail, most of them based at the not-for-profit company's York office. Their role is mostly a co-ordinating one although the Office of Rail Regulation can be brought in to adjudicate in any disputes.
A spokesman for Network Rail says the May timetable changes are normally just a "spruce-up".A spokesman for Network Rail says the May timetable changes are normally just a "spruce-up".
Larger-scale alterations normally take place in December, when typically some 30% to 40% of timetables are altered - although some of these will be relatively minor.Larger-scale alterations normally take place in December, when typically some 30% to 40% of timetables are altered - although some of these will be relatively minor.
But May 2011 will see major service changes on the east coast main line.But May 2011 will see major service changes on the east coast main line.
For all that we may associate British railways with the mundane day-to-day reality of crowded commuter carriages and tepid tea, it is an altogether far more a complicated feat of logistics currently departing from a platform near you.For all that we may associate British railways with the mundane day-to-day reality of crowded commuter carriages and tepid tea, it is an altogether far more a complicated feat of logistics currently departing from a platform near you.


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Working in the Rail industry for 14 years, the above reasons are really not a big issue to warrent the expense of changing the Time Tables. All this work is done by each Train Company by the Train Planning department who are huge departments, and the best way to keep these massive departments in employment is to have a Winter and Summer Time Table, These departments could be scapped saving money.Working in the Rail industry for 14 years, the above reasons are really not a big issue to warrent the expense of changing the Time Tables. All this work is done by each Train Company by the Train Planning department who are huge departments, and the best way to keep these massive departments in employment is to have a Winter and Summer Time Table, These departments could be scapped saving money.
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    • I take train to work everyday and can tell you how inaccurate the train timetable is. Do passengers really need a timetable to take short journey train ? Why can't the system be like London Underground ? E.g. Every 10 minutes at peak. Every 20 minutes at non-peak.I take train to work everyday and can tell you how inaccurate the train timetable is. Do passengers really need a timetable to take short journey train ? Why can't the system be like London Underground ? E.g. Every 10 minutes at peak. Every 20 minutes at non-peak.
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    • Most are just changed by a few minutes? try removing my station entirely from the train journey I have got on every weekday for the past 2 years! Think about how that ruins your daily work routine, I now have to drive 15 minutes there and back, taking up more time and petrol rather than being able to walk to the station, they have no consideration whatsoever for people, all they see is numbers.Most are just changed by a few minutes? try removing my station entirely from the train journey I have got on every weekday for the past 2 years! Think about how that ruins your daily work routine, I now have to drive 15 minutes there and back, taking up more time and petrol rather than being able to walk to the station, they have no consideration whatsoever for people, all they see is numbers.
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    • As A Signaller with Network you really have to be on your toes when things begin to run out of order, just one minute delay put on to a train can have massive repercussions on trains further along the route. You have to think about every eventuality! The working timetable really is a mammoth undertaking, and in general it works very well.As A Signaller with Network you really have to be on your toes when things begin to run out of order, just one minute delay put on to a train can have massive repercussions on trains further along the route. You have to think about every eventuality! The working timetable really is a mammoth undertaking, and in general it works very well.
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    • How about bringing back steam trains during bad weather ie. snow or leaves on the line.Steam trains used to drop sand on the wheels to aid grip, something that modern trains don't do, change the sand for salt and it stops icing too.I'm not suggesting BR run steam but there are plenty of trains in private hands and they would jump at the chance to run on the main line.How about bringing back steam trains during bad weather ie. snow or leaves on the line.Steam trains used to drop sand on the wheels to aid grip, something that modern trains don't do, change the sand for salt and it stops icing too.I'm not suggesting BR run steam but there are plenty of trains in private hands and they would jump at the chance to run on the main line.
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