Timetable planning expertise

[David Pemberton]

Thank you to everyone who has replied to my post.

Especially helpful has been the pointers about: platform availability, interaction with other train operators, track access information, peak hours service needs, dwells & turnaround times.

I'll continue the dialogue by private message.

 

[PR]

I don't think you can get a document with minimum running times between stations anywhere so the only way you could work that out would be to go on the train and time it yourself and hope there are no delays.

A working timetable would make it possible to find the sectional running times between timing points. The ORR website also suggests they can be made available to all (no doubt for a charge!)

http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.8059

Out of date ones probably appear in railwayana auctions, and on EBAY etc...

I think the Network Rail ROTP include the chages to SRTs since the last WTT.

The advantage of the modern computer databases is that you can draw graphs, and run reports to look for conflicts and even edit the timings of trains from the graph.

It would be a pretty daunting task without that, and you would have to factor in all the other rights such as the NMT, RHTTs as well as the servicing requirements and required ECS movements.

 

[The Planner]

I think the Network Rail ROTP include the chages to SRTs since the last WTT.

No it doesnt, its not required to.

The advantage of the modern computer databases is that you can draw graphs, and run reports to look for conflicts and even edit the timings of trains from the graph.

99% of it is done off the graph, its the easiest way to detect conflicts. Trainplan will allow editing of schedules off the graph, its more difficult to do it off a report.

It would be a pretty daunting task without that, and you would have to factor in all the other rights such as the NMT, RHTTs as well as the servicing requirements and required ECS movements.

You would also need to get your head around all the service level commitments that the TOCs have, minimum journey times, contractural rights, level of service, it goes on and on and is a proverbial minefield.

 

[dave_wm]

Hi,

First time here. Nobody, by any chance, can give any advice of a good piece of software to use for train planning - free if possible?

I can only see Excel.

Thanks,

David

 

[devon_metro]

Excel is your best bet.

 

[The Planner]

Trainplan and Voyagerplan are going to be well out of your reach and you will need to work out some sort of graphing system in Excel to do a plan proficiently.