May 2025 Timetable Change - Confirmed Changes Only

[Goldfish62]

XC have an 06.40 Bristol/ Penzance which forms the 11.30 back through to Edinburgh then there's a 07.04 Edinburgh/Penzance which goes back to Birmingham at 18.13 stopping at all of the principal stations in Cornwall.

Indeed, and unlike now where the XC trains are additional to the two an hour service pattern they will be integrated in it.

But in respect of the HSTs it's a moot point because they're not being withdrawn in May anyway.

 

[mangyiscute]

I'm assuming they'll only be withdrawn once the 175s are ready to enter service

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

XC have an 06.40 Bristol/ Penzance which forms the 11.30 back through to Edinburgh then there's a 07.04 Edinburgh/Penzance which goes back to Birmingham at 18.13 stopping at all of the principal stations in Cornwall.

Which are now the only XC services west of Plymouth. The previous 0630/0830 ex-PZ and the two evening down arrivals now only run from/to Plymouth.

On Saturdays the 1815 from PZ only runs as far as Bristol I believe.

 

[dk1]

XC have an 06.40 Bristol/ Penzance which forms the 11.30 back through to Edinburgh then there's a 07.04 Edinburgh/Penzance which goes back to Birmingham at 18.13 stopping at all of the principal stations in Cornwall.

I think that 18:13 then attatches to the Paignton portion at Temple Meads.

Or maybe it doesn’t.

Must’ve read that wrong unless it’s changed since first uploaded.

 

[Notabene]

On Fridays and Saturdays there's an extra, later train from Hull to Scarborough at 2020. From Scarborough the 2113 is retimed to the clockface 2102 slot with a later train at 2158.

 

[berneyarms]

I think that 18:13 then attatches to the Paignton portion at Temple Meads.

Or maybe it doesn’t.

Must’ve read that wrong unless it’s changed since first uploaded.

The Paignton service doesn’t join the Penzance service - it goes to Barton Hill.

 

[dk1]

The Paignton service doesn’t join the Penzance service - it goes to Barton Hill.

Yes noticed that. Wonder where I saw that originally?

That Paignton Brum has run for many years although loadings are obviously very low.

 

[Class 170101]

Yes noticed that. Wonder where I saw that originally?

It was shown in RTT when published originally as a path from both Penzance and Paignton heading to New Street, sharing a path between Bristol and New Street.

 

[dk1]

It was shown in RTT when published originally as a path from both Penzance and Paignton heading to New Street, sharing a path between Bristol and New Street.

Phew!! I’m not quite nuts. Cheers mate.

 

[brad465]

Southeastern's changes came out this week. The main sells, besides the widely discussed 377 cascade from Southern, are extra services between Charing X and Maidstone are being extended to Ashford, including the first 3 morning and last 3 evening services on Saturdays in the respective peak flow. Most of the other changes promoted are extending train lengths, including:

- All CHX-Tun Wells' semi-fast services becoming 10-car (compared to 2 out of 5 currently)
- A few extra 12-car diagrams, including the 07:23 Dartford-CHX via Bexleyheath and more Sevenoaks' stoppers (already 2x 12-car allocations exist on this route)
- Also of interest the 18:07 CST-SOO is being extended to Rochester, so presumably they've found a path to get the service into the station and save it having to run empty to Maidstone W so the driver can change ends.

Southeastern introduces timetable boost from May with newer trains and more carriages to support a growing railway

A new and improved timetable starting from Sunday 18 May will add extra capacity to provide more space on the busiest services More of the newer Class 377 Electrostar trains are coming in to improve the customer experience. Extra space to help to support 10 million extra journeys over the next...

newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk

Notes to Editors

May 2025 timetable - route changes summary

1. Paddock Wood line: London, Tonbridge and Ashford International to Canterbury West, Folkestone, Dover, Ramsgate and Margate

• On weekdays some peak time trains on services via Deal and Dover Priory will stop additionally at Thanet Parkway. This offers a through service from Thanet Parkway along the Dover route that improves connections from Deal and Sandwich to Canterbury West. This will save time as customers don’t need to travel via Ramsgate.
• For events and concerts at Dreamland Margate, and to support the evening economy in Thanet on Friday and Saturday evenings, some later trains will run from Margate to Ashford via both Canterbury West and Dover Priory

1. Sole Street line: London to the Medway towns, Sittingbourne, Sheerness, Faversham, Ramsgate, Canterbury East and Dover

Longer trains to increase capacity

• The 05.46 Dover Priory to London Victoria and the 17.10 London Victoria to Dover Priory will be 12 carriages rather than eight.
• The 07.02 Ramsgate to Cannon Street will be 12 carriages rather than eight.
• The 06.45 Gillingham to London Victoria and the 18.12 London Victoria to Gillingham will be eight carriages rather than six.
• The Summer timetable runs from Sunday 18 May until Sunday 7 September, and it increases capacity to the north Kent coast destinations, such as Whitstable, Margate and Broadstairs at weekends.
• During the school holidays on weekdays and Sundays there will be a direct service from Cannon Street to Ramsgate via Greenwich and Dartford connecting stations in south east London directly to the coast at Whitstable, Herne Bay, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.

3a Maidstone East line: London to Ashford International via Maidstone East

• Eight more of the Class 377 Electrostars with air-conditioning and charging points are being introduced to replace the older Networker trains.
• There will be additional trains for stations between Ashford International and Maidstone East to London Charing Cross.
• On weekdays the 06.44 and 07.44 Maidstone East to London Charing Cross will start from Ashford International and stop at Charing, Lenham, Harrietsham, Hollingbourne and Bearsted
• On Weekdays the 23.29 London Charing Cross to Maidstone East is extended to Ashford International and stops at Bearsted, Hollingbourne, Harrietsham, Lenham & Charing.
• On Saturdays the 06.14, 07.14 and 0814 Maidstone East to London Charing Cross will start from Ashford and stop at Charing, Lenham, Harrietsham, Hollingbourne and Bearsted.
• On Saturdays the 21.29, 22.29 and 23.29 London Charing Cross to Maidstone East are extended to Ashford International and stop at Bearsted, Hollingbourne, Harrietsham, Lenham & Charing
• There will be additional calls at East Malling and Barming in the late afternoon and early evening.
• The 15.25 London Victoria to Ashford International will stop additionally at East Malling & Barming.
• The 15.27, 16.27, 17.27 and 1827 Ashford International to London Victoria will stop additionally at Barming & East Malling.

3b Medway Valley line: Strood to Maidstone West and Paddock Wood

• On weekdays to improve connections at Strood from London St Pancras and Faversham, the following trains will start three minutes later from Strood and run later to Paddock Wood.
• 18.05 / 18.35 / 19.05 / 19.35 Strood to Paddock Wood

4 Hastings line: London and Sevenoaks to Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Battle and Hastings

Longer trains to increase capacity

• The 18.45 Charing Cross to Hastings (as far as Tunbridge Wells) service will be 12-carriages rather than eight.
• All semi-fast services that run between Charing Cross and Tunbridge Wells will be lengthened to 10-carriages.

5a Woolwich line: London to Dartford and the Medway towns via Woolwich

Blackheath Tunnel closure - Sunday 18 May to Sunday 27 July

• From the start of the new timetable on Sunday 18 May until Sunday 27 July, the route between Blackheath and Charlton will be closed for essential repairs in the Blackheath tunnel. During this time trains will be diverted via Greenwich, stopping additionally at Westcombe Park, Maze Hill, Greenwich and Deptford. Connections from Lewisham to the Woolwich line can be made by using the DLR between Lewisham and Greenwich.

5b Bexleyheath line: London to Dartford and Gravesend via Bexleyheath

Additional Services

• Weekdays 10.25 Charing Cross to Dartford
• Weekdays 15.23 Dartford to Charing Cross

Longer train to increase capacity

• The 07.23 Dartford to Charing Cross via Bexleyheath will be 12-carriages instead of 10.
• On Weekdays the 18.07 Cannon Street to Strood via Bexleyheath is extended to Rochester.

5c Sidcup line: London to Dartford and Gravesend via Sidcup

Longer trains to increase capacity

• The 07.33 Gravesend to Charing Cross via Sidcup a 10-carriage City Beam train will replace an older Networker.
• The 18.20 Charing Cross to Gravesend will be extended to 10-carriages from eight.

6a Hayes line: London to Catford Bridge, Elmers and Hayes

• On weekdays to improve the interval between services and to reduce overcrowding, some trains from Charing Cross to Hayes will be retimed.
• From 16.18 and each half hour until 19.18 trains will start later out of Charing Cross and the interval from London Bridge will be improved from the current 9/21 minute interval to a 13/17 minute interval.

6b Grove Park line: London to Bromley North, Orpington and Sevenoaks via Grove Park

Longer train to increase capacity

• The 07.22 Orpington to Cannon Street will be 10 carriages rather than eight.
• The 07.50 Sevenoaks to Charing Cross and the 16.31 and 19.01 to Charing Cross will be lengthened to 12-carriages from 10.

7 Bromley South line: London to Bromley South, Orpington and Sevenoaks via Herne Hill or Catford

No changes in the May 2025 timetable

8 High Speed via Ashford and High Speed via Gravesend: St Pancras International to Stratford Intl, Ebbsfleet Itnl, Ashford Intl and Gravesend

 

[WolvertonWorks]

Newquay-Par was mentioned earlier in this thread - this article on the BBC website https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwdl4qdj12o suggests the trains will start running "..."This will enable hourly trains to begin from later this year. ..."

 

[Hedgehog1977]

Southeastern's changes came out this week. The main sells, besides the widely discussed 377 cascade from Southern, are extra services between Charing X and Maidstone are being extended to Ashford, including the first 3 morning and last 3 evening services on Saturdays in the respective peak flow. Most of the other changes promoted are extending train lengths, including:

- All CHX-Tun Wells' semi-fast services becoming 10-car (compared to 2 out of 5 currently)
- A few extra 12-car diagrams, including the 07:23 Dartford-CHX via Bexleyheath and more Sevenoaks' stoppers (already 2x 12-car allocations exist on this route)
- Also of interest the 18:07 CST-SOO is being extended to Rochester, so presumably they've found a path to get the service into the station and save it having to run empty to Maidstone W so the driver can change ends.

Southeastern introduces timetable boost from May with newer trains and more carriages to support a growing railway

A new and improved timetable starting from Sunday 18 May will add extra capacity to provide more space on the busiest services More of the newer Class 377 Electrostar trains are coming in to improve the customer experience. Extra space to help to support 10 million extra journeys over the next...

newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk

Bromley South line - No Changes.
So the Saturday London Victoria to Orpington stoppers via Herne Hill, Beckenham Junction etc stay at their post pandemic 30 minute intervals. These trains are very heavily loaded and always were pre-pandemic. A very well used line in very populated area still doesn't get it's turn up and go service back. Very disappointing.

 

[bengolding]

Avanti will be running additional direct services between London Euston and Glasgow Central via Birmingham New Street. Northbound at 7:16: and 11:38. Southbound at 9:39 and 13:36. These run in the path of the existing Blackpool North services.

Avanti will also be running a new direct London Euston to Blackpool North service. Northbound at 9:39 (Euston fast to Crewe then Warrington). Southbound at 12:52. (Warrington fast to Nuneaton then Milton Keynes and Watford). Note differing calling patterns of each leg.

Pathed as 80x with Standard Premium.

 

[jfollows]

ECS 5R19 has now appeared so hopefully 1R19 itself will appear soon.

Newquay branch starting to come in now too.

1R19 has finally appeared!

Realtime Trains | 1R19 0700 Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston | 20/05/2025

Real-time train running information for 1R19 0700 departure from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston on 20/05/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Toby268]

Avanti will be running additional direct services between London Euston and Glasgow Central via Birmingham New Street. Northbound at 7:16: and 11:38. Southbound at 9:39 and 13:36. These run in the path of the existing Blackpool North services.

Avanti will also be running a new direct London Euston to Blackpool North service. Northbound at 9:39 (Euston fast to Crewe then Warrington). Southbound at 12:52. (Warrington fast to Nuneaton then Milton Keynes and Watford). Note differing calling patterns of each leg.

Pathed as 80x with Standard Premium.

Strange timings from Glasgow. These used to leave at 1000 and 1400 pre Covid. Now Leaving only a few minutes after the non stop Warrington to Euston. Loads of pathing time between GLC and Preston. However good to see those services returning.

 

[AndrewE]

Strange timings from Glasgow. These used to leave at 1000 and 1400 pre Covid. Now Leaving only a few minutes after the non stop Warrington to Euston. Loads of pathing time between GLC and Preston. However good to see those services returning.

and very similar for the 9.39 northbound - so the second train in an hour from Crewe down the WCML is only 9 minutes behind the only other hourly train. What an opportunity missed.
And no stop at Crewe southbound. it's almost as though "they" are determined to suppress demand to Salop and Stoke and places futher afield.

 

[jfollows]

and very similar for the 9.39 northbound - so the second train in an hour from Crewe down the WCML is only 9 minutes behind the only other hourly train. What an opportunity missed.
And no stop at Crewe southbound. it's almost as though "they" are determined to suppress demand to Salop and Stoke and places futher afield.

Yes, that’s strange, both up services call at Crewe but only “for staffing reasons”.
I use these services to/from Wilmslow, changing at Crewe. Well, obviously not these specific services.

 

[Toby268]

Yes, that’s strange, both up services call at Crewe but only “for staffing reasons”.
I use these services to/from Wilmslow, changing at Crewe. Well, obviously not these specific services.

Some Trains in the current timetable have on Real time trains that they stop only for staffing reasons, but it is actually a scheduled stop.

 

[louis97]

Yes, that’s strange, both up services call at Crewe but only “for staffing reasons”.
I use these services to/from Wilmslow, changing at Crewe. Well, obviously not these specific services.

I don't see the word only on RTT, but I do see times in the GBTT column, so they are public stops.

 

[AndrewE]

Strange timings from Glasgow. These used to leave at 1000 and 1400 pre Covid. Now Leaving only a few minutes after the non stop Warrington to Euston. Loads of pathing time between GLC and Preston. However good to see those services returning.

and very similar for the 9.39 northbound - so the second train in an hour from Crewe down the WCML is only 9 minutes behind the only other hourly train. What an opportunity missed.
And no stop at Crewe southbound. it's almost as though "they" are determined to suppress demand to Salop and Stoke and places futher afield.

Yes, that’s strange, both up services call at Crewe but only “for staffing reasons”.
I use these services to/from Wilmslow, changing at Crewe. Well, obviously not these specific services.

I didn't look at the details for the class 9 Glasgow-Eustons because they are just reinstating the previous alternate hour W Mids to Glasgow and Edinburgh trains and I never dreamt that the Crewe passenger stop might be knocked out - which it seems it hasn't. It does surprise me that when there is only the 1 Preston train an hour throughout the day calling at Crewe they haven't put a stop in the new Blackpool one.
Especially as it has no less than 8 minutes pathing allowances between Hartford and Stafford! And it would let the Stokies get home from Blackpool with just 1 change..

 

[Peter0124]

I think the Crewe 'staffing only' thing is a glitch.

Some observations are they've extended the 07:16 from Euston up, but not the 07:38. I thought they were meant to run the Scotland trains in the xx.38/40 path?

And the 9M53 09:39 from Glasgow skips Lancaster despite having plenty of 'pathing time' to do so.

 

[infobleep]

Unsure if this has been mentioned ...

The Mon - Fri Reading (d. 2022) to Shalford (a. 2111) service is extended to Gatwick Airport (a. 2157).
The return working departs Gatwick at 2201, arriving at Reading at 2321.

Also the 2059 Gatwick departure to Reading, which is currently an ECS move, becomes a passenger service.

These changes extend the 2tph departure pattern from Gatwick from 2030 to 2230 - good news for passengers arriving on evening flights.

This is fantatsic news. A couple of times lately I have missed the 20:29 and either gone via Clapham Junction, if my ticket permitted it or waited at Gatwick Airport for just under 60 minutes. Soon I won't have to wait so long.

 

[hux385]

I think the 'for staffing reasons' often relates to the length of the stop, such as needing enough time for a driver change or even loo break en route. I'm not sure what the reason for needing 4 mins at Crewe is though

 

[Some guy]

It’s gonna be a huge loss not sending the Blackpool services via Birmingham as the West Midlands is a huge leisure flow. This service will carry fresh air down the Trent valley

I think the Crewe 'staffing only' thing is a glitch.

Some observations are they've extended the 07:16 from Euston up, but not the 07:38. I thought they were meant to run the Scotland trains in the xx.38/40 path?

And the 9M53 09:39 from Glasgow skips Lancaster despite having plenty of 'pathing time' to do so.

That part makes 0 sense whatsoever not to call at Lancaster it surely must be a glitch

 

[Class 170101]

Strange timings from Glasgow. These used to leave at 1000 and 1400 pre Covid. Now Leaving only a few minutes after the non stop Warrington to Euston. Loads of pathing time between GLC and Preston. However good to see those services returning.

I would hazard a guess that Freight services took the paths whilst the services were withdrawn because of covid.

I think the Crewe 'staffing only' thing is a glitch.

I think I saw one at Wolverhampton in a southbound service too

Some observations are they've extended the 07:16 from Euston up, but not the 07:38. I thought they were meant to run the Scotland trains in the xx.38/40 path?

Perhaps a path couldn't be found extending this path to Scotland.

And the 9M53 09:39 from Glasgow skips Lancaster despite having plenty of 'pathing time' to do so.

It will be the train behind that looks like its causing the issue

Realtime Trains | 6G04 0920 Longtown Mod Gbrf to Kineton Mod Gbrf | 16/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 6G04 0920 departure from Longtown Mod Gbrf to Kineton Mod Gbrf on 16/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[hexagon789]

And the 9M53 09:39 from Glasgow skips Lancaster despite having plenty of 'pathing time' to do so.

That part makes 0 sense whatsoever not to call at Lancaster it surely must be a glitch

Actually, both these restored services omitted Lancaster previously when they still ran from Glasgow, so it's pretty much as it was before.

 

[Peter0124]

Actually, both these restored services omitted Lancaster previously when they still ran from Glasgow, so it's pretty much as it was before.

9M84 (13:36 ex GLC) calls at Lancaster now, though.

I can also just see those two southbounds catching up with the fast pretty much everytime the latter is at Motherwell, so yes pretty strange timings rather than having it depart GLC at xx:00 like before.

Also upon browsing, I found a 1tpd Glasgow - Blackpool Avanti train that runs during the last week of may. With a corresponding return.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:s08285/2025-05-28/detailed

 

[hexagon789]

9M84 (13:36 ex GLC) calls at Lancaster now, though.

Indeed, I just meant that it wasn't a new thing to omit Lancaster.

I can also just see those two southbounds catching up with the fast pretty much everytime the latter is at Motherwell, so yes pretty strange timings rather than having it depart GLC at xx:00 like before.

As someone suggested, you can only assume the previous paths have been partially taken by something since.

And yes, especially with the 0939 via Brum, I can see them effectively chasing the fast at least to Carlisle.

I also wonder how many passengers may board the wrong service, given that they will be sharing a platform structure at Glasgow Central - 1 & 2, and have such closely scheduled departure times and both go to London Euston.

Perhaps a very large "TRAIN GOES VIA BIRMINGHAM" on the departure screens is needed for those two services.

 

[Peter0124]

I also wonder how many passengers may board the wrong service, given that they will be sharing a platform structure at Glasgow Central - 1 & 2, and have such closely scheduled departure times and both go to London Euston.

Perhaps a very large "TRAIN GOES VIA BIRMINGHAM" on the departure screens is needed for those two services.

I wonder if it would be a good idea to put the Brum train into platform 9, 10 or 11. To seperate the passengers.

Though this may mess up with scotrail platforming and have conflicting moves at Bridge Street junction?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The early 0445 Holyhead-Euston is back, leaving Chester as before at 0624 (1R14).
It joins the 0535 Blackpool-Euston at Crewe, as pre-Covid, and reaches Euston at 0835.

The otherwise hourly xx00 Euston-Chester service is still interrupted with the 1600 going to Liverpool instead.
This train does not even call at Crewe, though there is a 1543 to Liverpool which does.
Either way it is a curious peak-time gap in the Chester service.