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Is there no collaboration between TOCs

You are here: Home > Forum > Miscellaneous > The real thing (anything else rail-oriented) > Is there no collaboration between TOCs

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Is there no collaboration between TOCs 05/08/2021 at 15:54 #140983
bugsy
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I'm assuming that each TOC compiles its own timetable. If not, then who does and is there any collaboration?

The reason that I ask is that whilst playing the Doncaster South 2015 tt (and probably the same applies to the other tts), invariably trains using the Lincoln/Nottingham line have to be held to give an East Coast fast service priority.

It would make sense if the trains travelling over the Newark flat crossing were timed such that each had a clear path, or is that expecting too much?

Everything that you make will be useful - providing it's made of chocolate.
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Is there no collaboration between TOCs 05/08/2021 at 16:29 #140984
jc92
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The timetable is planned by NR in Milton Keynes based on what the TOCs bid/request for in terms of a service pattern.

The likely reason for the queues you've mentioned is simply that there's no other way around doing it, especially somewhere like the ECMl which is chocker most of the time.

At Doncaster itself, almost all up trains from Sheffield are held outside the station (planned) for several minutes awaiting a path because there simply isn't any way to get them in sooner or schedule them later elsewhere.

Ultimately it'll make no difference to the passenger as long as their train arrives at its booked time.

Pure supposition in this case but its better for the locals to be early and sit, with a chance of going early, than be "on time" then be delayed by a late running east coast service, so it might be a case of recovery time built in because of the inevitable pathing limits of a high speed flat crossing.

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Last edited: 05/08/2021 at 16:32 by jc92
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Is there no collaboration between TOCs 05/08/2021 at 16:32 #140985
postal
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Overall responsibility for the timetable process rests with Network Rail who have to balance the conflicting requirements of both passenger and freight operators so any timetable is a compromise. There is a bit more background at https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/ and https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/How-rail-timetabling-works-factsheet.pdf.

Edit: Joe (jc92) was quicker on the draw than me.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Last edited: 05/08/2021 at 16:33 by postal
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Is there no collaboration between TOCs 05/08/2021 at 16:33 #140986
JamesN
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The big picture is coordinated by Network Rail, but most of the TT writing is done by the TOCs themselves.

Timetable writing is a very, very complicated art form.

Yes you could retime the trains to "work better" at Newark. But if you make that train say, 8 minutes earlier – that train is 8 minutes earlier for its entire journey. It might then cause a worse conflict somewhere else like Lincoln or Nottingham. Or it may make the timetable completely impossible – IE it might have to depart Lincoln for example before the inward train arrives.

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Is there no collaboration between TOCs 05/08/2021 at 16:36 #140987
postal
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jc92 in post 140984 said:
Pure supposition in this case but its better for the locals to be early and sit, with a chance of going early, than be "on time" then be delayed by a late running east coast service, so it might be a case of recovery time built in because of the inevitable pathing limits of a high speed flat crossing.
If my memory is correct, Network Rail were given the option of tagging on to the road changes when the new A46 was built and piggy-backing onto the road bridge over the ECML but it was not deemed a worthwhile investment.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Is there no collaboration between TOCs 05/08/2021 at 19:32 #140989
bugsy
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postal in post 140985 said:
Overall responsibility for the timetable process rests with Network Rail who have to balance the conflicting requirements of both passenger and freight operators so any timetable is a compromise. There is a bit more background at https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/ and https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/How-rail-timetabling-works-factsheet.pdf.

Edit: Joe (jc92) was quicker on the draw than me.
Thanks for the links. Hopefully they should provide some interesting information when I get around to looking; maybe tomorrow :)

I'll just continue with my current strategy and give priority to the ECML.

Everything that you make will be useful - providing it's made of chocolate.
Last edited: 05/08/2021 at 19:34 by bugsy
Reason: added comment

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