Of course, back in the day, I'd get, initially, the separate regions timetables and, latterly, the national one.
Once the most relevant tables had been identified it was not difficult to memorise times, stops and catering facilities. I even had names for the latter, 'cups of tea' and 'griddle' spring to mind.
They were extraordinarily useful in identifying potential days out of interest (and journeys over several days).
There were supplements issued on an ad hoc basis when errors were identified or when extended possessions were announced but as the knowledge of the base timetable had already been acquired it was simple to identify what was relevant and what was not.
The national timetable is still available online but, to be frank, it is painfully slow to do the equivalent of getting from, for example, table 65 northbound mid morning to table 226 westbound afternoon whereas the physical book would permit such an action within seconds.
The physical book did also contain a two sided national rail map with all stations and lines (helped on the obverse by expanded maps of the London area, Birmingham, Glasgow and [I'm hazy on this one] Liverpool/Manchester) and, this, provided a complete, all in one place reference on how to go from and to anywhere.
Of course the haphazard nature of what runs and what doesn't on the day nowadays means that a printed timetable would be less of use but that is a failing of the system as a whole to provide consistent service rather than a failing of the information medium.
