May 2026 timetable

[dk1]

Commuters have comfort preferences too. When their beloved Clactons (309s) finished, the loadings of the Norwichs increased from Colchester in preference to using the BINs (321s). I’d not be surprised if there is some 720 avoidance.

Intercity then refused any acceptance of Network Cards on services from Manningtree & Colchester.

 

[Harpo]

Intercity then refused any acceptance of Network Cards on services from Manningtree & Colchester.

There was no love lost there! NSE (GE) as route owner was as bad as IC was on routes where it was route owner.

 

[Goldfish62]

Didn’t the reading services previously stop at Vauxhall and Putney? Years ago

The peak extras which were withdrawn with Covid called at Vauxhall, but not Putney. Reading services call at both on Sundays - maybe that's what you were thinking of.

 

[Bald Rick]

When I commuted in the 90s was Clapham Jn and Richmond, lovely 15 min journey to Richmond…those were the days!

It’s 15.5 mins now, calling Clapham Jn only. I did it last week!

 

[Ian Hardy]

The peak extras which were withdrawn with Covid called at Vauxhall, but not Putney. Reading services call at both on Sundays - maybe that's what you were thinking of.

For a few years before the SWT 2004 timetable revision, there were 4 Waterloo - Reading services per hour M - Sat, two went via Hounslow and called at Hounslow, Putney, Clapham Junction and Vauxhall. The two that went via Richmond only called at Twickenham, Richmond and Clapham Junction.

 

[Goldfish62]

For a few years before the SWT 2004 timetable revision, there were 4 Waterloo - Reading services per hour M - Sat, two went via Hounslow and called at Hounslow, Putney, Clapham Junction and Vauxhall. The two that went via Richmond only called at Twickenham, Richmond and Clapham Junction.

Yes, that lasted around a couple of years. From the late 80s onwards the timetable seemed to change continually with many different iterations. But I won't go OT and start going into all the detail on them.

 

[Steven Taylor]

Yes, that lasted around a couple of years. From the late 80s onwards the timetable seemed to change continually with many different iterations. But I won't go OT and start going into all the detail on them.

The timetable did change quite a lot at this time. I remember 2 of the 4 hourly services called Clapham Junction, Richmond and then fast to Ascot. After a short period, these`fast` services called additionally at Staines..

 

[cle]

I also remember services fast from Richmond to Staines, possibly the leak extras to Guildford or Farnham. Around 1990-92 maybe?

The 4tph was due to return, and then it was 4tph to Windsor. Unsure if anything else new is planned currently.

 

[Jan Mayen]

Have there been any changes announced for GTR - Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express?

 

[Goldfish62]

The 4tph was due to return, and then it was 4tph to Windsor. Unsure if anything else new is planned currently.

I expect any significant changes will wait fot the "2026" timetable recast which is obviously not now happening this year.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Have there been any changes announced for GTR - Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express?

Good question. I do hope the Crystal Palace line gets a better evening and weekend service. Thornton Heath and Streatham are booming places nowadays and need more than a half-hourly service.

Will the Gillingham to Blackfriars service call at Crofton Park and Bellingham?

As for the Great Easterm, I obviously hope passenger numbers increase again, but I do notice in the evenings, say after 6, the Clacton/Ipswich trains do seem rather spacious going through Stratford, with plenty of seats still available.

 

[brad465]

It’s 15.5 mins now, calling Clapham Jn only. I did it last week!

Could this be sped up in the proposed SWR timetable recast? (which wouldn't be for May regardless of course)

Will the Gillingham to Blackfriars service call at Crofton Park and Bellingham?

According to the RTT links, neither direction sees those stations served, with the up and down service fast between Bromley South and Elephant & Castle.

 

[Goldfish62]

Could this be sped up in the proposed SWR timetable recast? (which wouldn't be for May regardless of course)

Not unless they miss out Clapham Junction and the newly-introduced Vauxhall stop! Or raised the line speed above 60. I would suggest that none of these options are likely.

 

[Bald Rick]

Could this be sped up in the proposed SWR timetable recast? (which wouldn't be for May regardless of course)

I’d be surprised if there is much in the way of speeding up anything in any new SWR timetables.

 

[Starmill]

I’d be surprised if there is much in the way of speeding up anything in any new SWR timetables.

Me too. They however seem to think there's something on the table by re-doing old 455 timings. I am not sure why really. Perhaps they will do the exercise anyway, and perhaps it will still be worthwhile even if it doesn't end up shortening any times in a way visible to most passengers, who knows.

 

[Bald Rick]

Me too. They however seem to think there's something on the table by re-doing old 455 timings. I am not sure why really. Perhaps they will do the exercise anyway, and perhaps it will still be worthwhile even if it doesn't end up shortening any times in a way visible to most passengers, who knows.

There will be something, but doubt it’s very much. It’s not like knocking 2 minutes off a Kingston - Waterloo service is going to make a big dent in the competition.

 

[Goldfish62]

I’d be surprised if there is much in the way of speeding up anything in any new SWR timetables.

There's probably a minute or two to be shaved off here and there due to the 701s. They are noticeably quicker than the 455s, 458/4s or 450s, with plenty of hanging around at stations awaiting time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2026 ==

There will be something, but doubt it’s very much. It’s not like knocking 2 minutes off a Kingston - Waterloo service is going to make a big dent in the competition.

But every minute that can be clawed back improves pathing on dense networks.

 

[Bald Rick]

But every minute that can be clawed back improves pathing on dense networks.

No, it doesn’t.

 

[Ian Hardy]

There will be something, but doubt it’s very much. It’s not like knocking 2 minutes off a Kingston - Waterloo service is going to make a big dent in the competition.

The removal of the ceremony of the doors where the guard has to look out and ensure that nobody has nicked the platform and the driver has stopped in the right place. Only then do they open the doors 30 or more seconds after the train has stopped.

If the driver is releasing the doors on the 701s, then they could do that as soon as they have stopped, as they wouid know that they had stopped in the right place and they have just gone past the platform so they know it is still there. On a journey from Reading to Waterloo that would be a lot of dwell time removed.

Then consider the faster acceleration of the 701s compared to other units so they get up to line speed quicker. That will also make saving in the journey times.

 

[Starmill]

The removal of the ceremony of the doors where the guard has to look out and ensure that nobody has nicked the platform and the driver has stopped in the right place. Only then do they open the doors 30 or more seconds after the train has stopped.

If the driver is releasing the doors on the 701s, then they could do that as soon as they have stopped, as they wouid know that they had stopped in the right place and they have just gone past the platform so they know it is still there. On a journey from Reading to Waterloo that would be a lot of dwell time removed.

Then consider the faster acceleration of the 701s compared to other units so they get up to line speed quicker. That will also make saving in the journey times.

Most guards, including where SWR's release the doors, don't have to check the platform hasn't changed since last time they were there. They can just rely on their route knowledge to know if the train is stopped at the correct place or not. Of course where that is the constraint, e.g. Northern, it is far slower.

 

[Ian Hardy]

Most guards, including where SWR's release the doors, don't have to check the platform hasn't changed since last time they were there. They can just rely on their route knowledge to know if the train is stopped at the correct place or not. Of course where that is the constraint, e.g. Northern, it is far slower.

Well in that case, why do SWR guards always open their local door, look out towards the front of the train and then back towards the rear of the train and only then release the doors, 30 or more seconds after the train has stopped. They do this at all stations, including those where the platform is straight, relatively wide and level and it is daytime?

 

[swr444]

Well in that case, why do SWR guards always open their local door, look out towards the front of the train and then back towards the rear of the train and only then release the doors, 30 or more seconds after the train has stopped. They do this at all stations, including those where the platform is straight, relatively wide and level and it is daytime?

Because it's what operational standards and management have told them to do, "to avoid opening doors on a stop short or overshoot"

 

[Starmill]

Well in that case, why do SWR guards always open their local door, look out towards the front of the train and then back towards the rear of the train and only then release the doors, 30 or more seconds after the train has stopped. They do this at all stations, including those where the platform is straight, relatively wide and level and it is daytime?

They don't always do that at all.

 

[Cymroglan]

They don't always do that at all.

Apologies for unseasonal pantomime reference, but in my extensive experience of SWR travel “oh yes they do!”

 

[Starmill]

Apologies for unseasonal pantomime reference, but in my extensive experience of SWR travel “oh yes they do!”

They absolutely don't. It's up to them to assure themselves that the train is stopped in the correct place.

 

[Killingworth]

Well in that case, why do SWR guards always open their local door, look out towards the front of the train and then back towards the rear of the train and only then release the doors, 30 or more seconds after the train has stopped. They do this at all stations, including those where the platform is straight, relatively wide and level and it is daytime?

That is my experience with Northern guards too although most times it's within 10 seconds but it may seem longer. That'll be because they're stuck in a crowded part of the train or trying to resolve a difficult ticketing issue. 30 seconds or more? Not very often.

 

[Pinus contorta]

That is my experience with Northern guards too although most times it's within 10 seconds but it may seem longer. That'll be because they're stuck in a crowded part of the train or trying to resolve a difficult ticketing issue. 30 seconds or more? Not very often.

Depends on the level of passengers stood on the platform in my experiences of changing trains at Lancaster which has narrow ish platforms. For example I notice quite often when its really busy that the guard hops off but can't get back on due to the stampede / herding of passengers. No one seems to bother waiting for folks to get off first. No idea what goes on at p13 14 at Manchester Piccadilly or SWR land.

 

[Cymroglan]

They absolutely don't. It's up to them to assure themselves that the train is stopped in the correct place.

They absolutely do! and with that, I promise not to respond further, as neither of us is going to change their opinion.

 

[Starmill]

They absolutely do! and with that, I promise not to respond further, as neither of us is going to change their opinion.

You are quite mistaken.

 

[MasterPhillips]

As some on who travels on SWR almost everyday I would say most guards do get off the train and check, but there are a minority who open them straight away.

What I have found noticeable in when on a 701 operated service to/from Reading, the train is often early at both Staines and Ascot. So there is some scope to reduce journeys by a few minutes. The question is whether the train will end up catching a stopping service anyway. Hopefully a new timetable could address that.