Working timetable
Encyclopedia
A Working timetable is a set of schedules that show all the planned train
movements in a defined area. The trains included may be passenger trains, freight train
s, empty stock movements, or even bus
and/or ship
connections or replacements.
The detail tends to include the timings at every major station, junction, or other significant location along the train's journey, what platforms are used at certain stations, and line codes where there is a choice of running line.
Further information may include what service the train next forms, what formation ("consist") the train has, its maximum speed
, and any other information relevant to the operation of the train.
Railway companies incorporate their philosophy of service provision into their timetable in numerical, chronological form. In the beginning of commercial railways, the timetable was the authority for a train to be at a particular location at a specified time, subject to any restrictions imposed by the rules, regulations and engineered safety controls (which were originally minimal). As such, instructional publications were often referred to as 'appendices' to the working timetable. As the rules and regulations gradually expanded following accidents, the working timetable became more of a guide than an absolute authority.
The working timetable is effectively the foundation of railway operations and one of six main instructional publications which employees of Traffic departments in British style railways traditionally had at their disposal. The other publications were the Rule Book, General Appendix to the Working Timetable, Sectional or Local Appendix to the Working Timetable, Regulations for Train Signalling, circulars and weekly notices (names varied between companies).
Unscheduled or 'special' train movements are worked as margins in the timetable permit. Such movements are authorized and regulated by staff such as signalmen
, station masters and train controllers.
Most railway companies revise their standard working timetable (SWTT) every few years, or as changes in their network require.
The daily working timetable (DWTT) consists of the standard working timetable (SWTT) as amended by publications such as Special Train Notices or telegrams. Special train notices are temporary amendments to the SWTT, issued as required for additional ('special') trains or alterations to the working of trains already in the SWTT.
British railway WTTs are branded "Not for publication"; however, they can frequently be found at rail exhibitions, second hand book
shops, and auction websites.
Just a few words to get this page started. Lots more information needed, including sources, and usage of WTTs outside of the UK
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
movements in a defined area. The trains included may be passenger trains, freight train
Freight train
A freight train or goods train is a group of freight cars or goods wagons hauled by one or more locomotives on a railway, ultimately transporting cargo between two points as part of the logistics chain...
s, empty stock movements, or even bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
and/or ship
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
connections or replacements.
The detail tends to include the timings at every major station, junction, or other significant location along the train's journey, what platforms are used at certain stations, and line codes where there is a choice of running line.
Further information may include what service the train next forms, what formation ("consist") the train has, its maximum speed
V speeds
In aviation, V-speeds are standard terms used to define airspeeds important or useful to the operation of all aircraft including fixed-wing aircraft, gliders, autogiros, helicopters, and dirigibles...
, and any other information relevant to the operation of the train.
Railway companies incorporate their philosophy of service provision into their timetable in numerical, chronological form. In the beginning of commercial railways, the timetable was the authority for a train to be at a particular location at a specified time, subject to any restrictions imposed by the rules, regulations and engineered safety controls (which were originally minimal). As such, instructional publications were often referred to as 'appendices' to the working timetable. As the rules and regulations gradually expanded following accidents, the working timetable became more of a guide than an absolute authority.
The working timetable is effectively the foundation of railway operations and one of six main instructional publications which employees of Traffic departments in British style railways traditionally had at their disposal. The other publications were the Rule Book, General Appendix to the Working Timetable, Sectional or Local Appendix to the Working Timetable, Regulations for Train Signalling, circulars and weekly notices (names varied between companies).
Unscheduled or 'special' train movements are worked as margins in the timetable permit. Such movements are authorized and regulated by staff such as signalmen
Signalman (rail)
A signalman or signaller is an employee of a railway transport network who operates the points and signals from a signal box in order to control the movement of trains.- History :...
, station masters and train controllers.
Most railway companies revise their standard working timetable (SWTT) every few years, or as changes in their network require.
The daily working timetable (DWTT) consists of the standard working timetable (SWTT) as amended by publications such as Special Train Notices or telegrams. Special train notices are temporary amendments to the SWTT, issued as required for additional ('special') trains or alterations to the working of trains already in the SWTT.
British railway WTTs are branded "Not for publication"; however, they can frequently be found at rail exhibitions, second hand book
Used book
A used book or secondhand book is a book which has been owned before by an owner other than the publisher or retailer, usually by an individual or library....
shops, and auction websites.
Just a few words to get this page started. Lots more information needed, including sources, and usage of WTTs outside of the UK