Network Rail Working Timetable

[ryan125hst]

I've just looked for the latest Working Timetable and have come across this message:

December 2021 update​

For the December 2021 WTT, in order to enable us to engage with WTT users with the object of making improvements, we have made some changes to how the files are being shared.

To access the files please send an email to NRT-WTT@networkrail.co.uk. All requests will be actioned within 3 working days.

For any queries, contact NRT-WTT@networkrail.co.uk

Is this for those that work in the railway industry only or would they provide the WTT to rail enthusiasts as well? This information has been available to download for quite a few years now so it'd be a shame if they are no longer making it available to the general public.

The link to Network Rail's site is here: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/working-timetable/

 

[pdeaves]

Is this for those that work in the railway industry only or would they provide the WTT to rail enthusiasts as well?

I don't know, but there is nothing to lose sending an email to request.

 

[berneyarms]

Just drop them an email - they have no issues releasing the files.

 

[ryan125hst]

Just drop them an email - they have no issues releasing the files.

Brilliant, I've sent them an email.

 

[jfollows]

In principle, no, but last time the person I was talking to went on holiday, lost my email in her "spam" folder, and finally never got back to me, so I got hold of copies from a friend. I'll try again directly for the May WTT and hope for a better response.

Also, I think it likely that a Freedom of Information request would obtain these, as used to be the case for London Underground before they were made more readily available. Having to process FoI requests will involve a lot more work for Network Rail than simply giving access to people who request it. I think my previous failure was bureaucratic incompetence but I hope that this won't happen again, and if it does I will resort to a FoI request.

 

[172101]

I didn't have any problems in December.
Sent an email on 7th and on the 8th, I received 12 zip files containting the lot.

 

[jfollows]

I didn't have any problems in December.
Sent an email on 7th and on the 8th, I received 12 zip files containting the lot.

That’s good to know, thanks. I will keep it simple for my May WTT request (tomorrow?).

 

[trainmania100]

Am I right in assuming these have unredacted info such as headcodes for booked workings?

With everyone and their mum requesting headcodes on forums and Facebook, it seems bizarre they're still hidden on train times websites. It's not rocket science to work out which trains are nuclear, and I've heard that headcodes are hidden to protect FOC identity, but from the lengthy tops lists I've seen posted on forums, it appears most industry workers have access to other freight operators loco locations anyway?

Rambling on a bit there sorry

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Am I right in assuming these have unredacted info such as headcodes for booked workings?

With everyone and their mum requesting headcodes on forums and Facebook, it seems bizarre they're still hidden on train times websites. It's not rocket science to work out which trains are nuclear, and I've heard that headcodes are hidden to protect FOC identity, but from the lengthy tops lists I've seen posted on forums, it appears most industry workers have access to other freight operators loco locations anyway?

Rambling on a bit there sorry

Passenger services rarely have their headcodes redacted. The WTT only includes passenger services, freight being in the separate freight timetables.

 

[jfollows]

Passenger services rarely have their headcodes redacted. The WTT only includes passenger services, freight being in the separate freight timetables.

That's not correct.
The WTT timetable collection includes those for freight trains. For example, CY and CZ, the former as below.
And, yes, the correct headcodes appear. So when I see a scrambled headcode I can usually work out the correct headcode if it's a booked working because it appears in the WTT.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

That's not correct.
The WTT timetable collection includes those for freight trains. For example, CY and CZ, the former as below.
And, yes, the correct headcodes appear. So when I see a scrambled headcode I can usually work out the correct headcode if it's a booked working because it appears in the WTT.

View attachment 113759

Apologies that’s what I meant the Freights are shown in separate WTTs to passenger trains.

 

[jfollows]

Apologies that’s what I meant the Freights are shown in separate WTTs to passenger trains.

I didn't think you were wrong, just unclear as you said!
I was also thinking - in the past, in the 1970s, the WTTs were for "mandatory" trains which included freight trains, so there was a period during which freight and passenger trains would appear in the same working timetable. But in about 1981 the cover changed colour to red and the freight trains were taken out into their own timetables. Which is where we are today.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

I didn't think you were wrong, just unclear as you said!
I was also thinking - in the past, in the 1970s, the WTTs were for "mandatory" trains which included freight trains, so there was a period during which freight and passenger trains would appear in the same working timetable. But in about 1981 the cover changed colour to red and the freight trains were taken out into their own timetables. Which is where we are today.

The WTT (and GBTT) was usually red for summer and blue for winter.

I’m sure I remember the freight timetables being a pale green colour

 

[jfollows]

From 1981 to 1992 they were red, mostly issued for a full year but even when split into two halves both of them were red. I have two WG/WH September 1992 - May 1993 WTTs which are both red, for example.
In 1993 the red became darker and the winter timetables were blue as you say. My October 1993 - May 1994 WG is blue.
I don't collect freight WTTs but I'm sure you're right about green.
They also identified the WTTs on the spine after 1993; I invested in a label printer for the majority of my collection which pre-dates this!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Apr 2022 ==

Am I right in assuming these have unredacted info such as headcodes for booked workings?

So, for example, https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:H04101/2022-04-28/detailed 11:13 Felixstowe to Trafford Park "450K" is really 4M87:


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Apr 2022 ==

========================================= (annoying automerge)
Working timetable now available for May 2022 onwards at https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/working-timetable/ and it's freely downloadable as it used to be, Network Rail appears to have given up on its "ask for it if you want it" policy thank goodness.
EDIT There is a single zip file containing all the WTTs if that's what you're after, much nicer than having to download all the files one-by-one.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Apr 2022 ==

Brilliant, I've sent them an email.

No longer required - see https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/working-timetable/ - they seem to have given up on the "ask for it if you want it" thing, thank goodness.

 

[ryan125hst]

Working timetable now available for May 2022 onwards at https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/working-timetable/ and it's freely downloadable as it used to be, Network Rail appears to have given up on its "ask for it if you want it" policy thank goodness.
EDIT There is a single zip file containing all the WTTs if that's what you're after, much nicer than having to download all the files one-by-one.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Apr 2022 ==


No longer required - see https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/working-timetable/ - they seem to have given up on the "ask for it if you want it" thing, thank goodness.

I had sent them an email and recieved a reply but I hadn't responded to their questions by the time I saw your post and noticed that both the December 2021 and May 2022 timetables are now available to download. It certainly makes it eaiser to just be able to download it.

 

[172101]

Crossrail services don't appear in any of the WTT's?
Even the Paddington/Old Oak end.