Operators scramble to return timetables to normal

Operators have been updating their service plans following the strike update, helping passengers plan their travel over the next few days.

Following initial shock reactions to the news, the weekend was spent busily rearranging plans, and there is some good news from many operators on the reinstating of services – whilst they may not be back to a complete timetable, most are far better than expected:

Avanti West Coast: Avanti West Coast plan to run one train per hour between London Euston and each of Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool, with services to Liverpool going via the West Midlands in view of the upgrade work being carried out between Rugby and Stafford. These trains will operate during limited hours, with the first train of the day departing London Euston just before 07:30 and the last train of the day from London Euston departing mid-afternoon, around 16:30. Existing reduced timetable expected to remain in place on Wednesday 9 November.

Caledonian Sleeper: On Monday 7 November, no services will operate on this night. From Tuesday 8 November onwards, all services will run as normal.

Chiltern: On Monday. 7 November, Chiltern has been unable to reinstate their usual timetable for todays services. In addition, Chiltern Railways will be affected on 10 November by RMT strike action affecting London Underground.

CrossCountry: As part of the reduced timetable due to the cancelled strikes, there are no trains or replacement buses running on this route on Monday 7 November.

East Midlands: As part of the reduced timetable due to the cancelled strikes, there are no trains or replacement buses running on this route on Monday 7 November.

Gatwick Express:  Limited train service. Where possible, run some additional earlier morning and later evening services will be reinstated on routes that are already open, but it is not possible to do this on all routes. On Tuesday 8 November, services will start much later than normal. Journey planners have not yet been updated for Wednesday 9 November but a near normal service is expected to run on Thursday 10 November.

Grand Central:  Reduced timetable will operate between London Kings Cross and Northallerton; and between London Kings Cross and Wakefield Kirkgate only. On Wednesday 9 November the usual timetable is now expected to run.

Great Western: A very limited service will run on the certain routes. The Night Riviera sleeper service will not operate. Trains will continue to be disrupted on Tuesday 8 November. Trains will start later and there will be a reduced level of service throughout the day. The Night Riviera sleeper service will not operate. GWR are working on improved timetables for Wednesday 9 November

Great Northern: Limited train service will run. Where possible, run some additional earlier morning and later evening services will be reinstated on routes that are already open, but it is not possible to do this on all routes. On Tuesday 8 November, services will start much later than normal. Journey planners have not yet been updated for Wednesday 9 November but a near normal service is expected to run on Thursday 10 November.

Heathrow Express: On Monday 7 November 4 trains per hour will run between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals 2, 3 & 5. The start of service will be 07:10 and will end at 18:17. No services will operate after 18:30. On Tuesday 8 November services may be busy and no services will run before 07:10. Wednesday 9 November Heathrow Express are expecting a full service to operate.

Lumo: Lumo is expected to return to operating a full normal timetable from today.

LNER: A reduced service will run between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh and between London Kings Cross and Leeds only on Monday, 7 November. On Wednesday 9 November the usual timetable is now expected to run.

London Northwestern: Limited services will be running. Services will be running between 07:00 – 19:00 only. A normal service is scheduled to run on Wednesday 9 November.

Northern: Services are also expected to be disrupted on Tuesday 8 November, especially in the morning. Northern have reinstated their normal timetable for Wednesday 9 November and Thursday 10 November.

Southeastern: A revised service will run Monday 7 November, with services starting later and finishing earlier than the usual Monday timetable. There will be NO SERVICE on the Medway Valley Line or the Sheerness Line. A normal service is expected to operate on Wednesday 9 November.

Southern: Limited train service will run. Where possible, run some additional earlier morning and later evening services will be reinstated on routes that are already open, but it is not possible to do this on all routes. On Tuesday 8 November, services will start much later than normal. Journey planners have not yet been updated for Wednesday 9 November but a near normal service is expected to run on Thursday 10 November.

South Western:On Monday, 7 October a severely reduced service will operate between 07:30 and 18:30 only. Tuesday 8 November services will start much later than usual and be very busy – passengers are advised to avoid them if possible. From Wednesday 9 November a full service is expected to run as usual.

Thameslink: Limited train service will run. Where possible, run some additional earlier morning and later evening services will be reinstated on routes that are already open, but it is not possible to do this on all routes. On Tuesday 8 November, services will start much later than normal. Journey planners have not yet been updated for Wednesday 9 November but a near normal service is expected to run on Thursday 10 November.

TransPennine Express: An amended timetable is in place until Saturday 10 December for TransPennine Express services between Manchester / Liverpool and Edinburgh / Glasgow via Preston and Carlisle. The changes are being made to provide a more stable and reliable service

Transport for Wales: Transport for Wales have been able to reinstate their usual timetables for today and Wednesday 9 November. A small number of services may still experience disruption.

West Midlands: Limited services will be running on Lichfield Trent Valley – Birmingham – Redditch / Bromsgrove / Birmingham – Northampton – London Euston / Birmingham – Wolverhampton – Crewe routes. Services will be running between 07:00 – 19:00 only. West Midlands Railway services will not be operating on any other route. A normal service is scheduled to run on Wednesday 9 November.

Image credit: Great Western Railway

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