Timetable padding

[jumpedup]

We all know there's timetable padding in the current timetables but you kind of get used to it. Every so often, though you see it in action.

Last night there were signalling problems on the Cannon St via Chatham to Thanet line which meant diversions via Dartford rather than joining the Chatham Mainline at Chislehurst.

I was on the 18:44 from Cannon St due in at Faversham at 20:02. Shortly after leaving London Bridge we were told we would be diverted via Dartford and that additional journey time of up to 30 minutes could be expected.

We duly arrived at Faversham at 20:10, just 8 minutes late.

Travelling via Dartford adds quite a bit to the journey and we didn't exactly fly down the line until we'd passed Dartford on the way towards Gravesend.

If going via Dartford only adds 8 minutes, how quick should the journey via Chislehurst really be? I don't really mean how quick it was in the past but what might be a reasonable expectation now, do you think?

[genehuntisking]

I know a few weeks back 17.50 Cannon St - Ramsgate departed 10 late from Cannon St and still made right time at Rochester, although it ran fast line Parks Bridge Jn to Chislehurst to over take a Charing Cross - Orpington service (passed it about Elmstead Woods).

Out of interest which way did you go between London and Dartford?

The Gene Genie

[jumpedup]

Sept 27, 2011 14:54:56 GMT genehuntisking said:

Out of interest which way did you go between London and Dartford?

The Gene Genie

Can't remember for sure but don't think it was via Sidcup.

[paulbgillingham]

This used to happen more. Before the last bout of timetable padding we used to complain about dwell time at stations - I remember on the Chatham/Victoria service 8 minutes at Bromley used to be routine, and the same at Chatham on the reverse journey.

This was with a 5 minutes faster timetable.

I haven't noticed drivers making up time nearly so much since the padding - I'd guess drivers have been told not to as it exposes the padding.

This morning left Gillingham some 6 minutes late, following a delayed strood line train, then from Rochester to Swanley shoul;d have been able to make up time, did not do so, then got stuck behind another slow train. result: 15 minutes late into Victoria.

The sort of thing that gives train companies a bad name

[genehuntisking]

On Friday 1452 Victoria - Ramsgate started 12 late, and a fairly clear run (apart from a slight check in the Bechenham Junction area) got to Rochester in 40 minutes calling only at Bromley South.