Reasons behind VAR on RTT?

[AndrewE]

Is there any way of finding out what is behind VAR?
In the days when I worked off the Special Traffic Notice we would look at every train's description and check its implication for what we were working on. E.g.

9S54 0843 London Euston to Edinburgh Retimed​

and find that maybe some pathing time had been moved slightly to allow a special to be pathed. Or something diverted and retimed, eg off the WCML from Winwick via Lowton to Golborne Junctions. In that case the time was usually adjusted back to WTT by the time the train left Preston.​

Now when I am checking a journey I find it frustrating that I can't easily spot the reason, which might be trivial (like running SL instead of FL somewhere,) but could be more significant.
A

 

[Freightmaster]

Now when I am checking a journey I find it frustrating that I can't easily spot the reason, which might be trivial (like running SL instead of FL somewhere,) but could be more significant.

If you are using a desktop computer/browser, open two tabs - one for the VAR version of the train and one of the 'base' WTT version
(by selecting the same train on a future date) and then flick between the two to see the differences?





MARK

 

[Watershed]

If you are using a desktop computer/browser, open two tabs - one for the VAR version of the train and one of the 'base' WTT version
(by selecting the same train on a future date) and then flick between the two to see the differences?





MARK

Yep, that's the only way of really knowing as a member of the public.

Even within the industry, people are reliant on the notes left by NR planners, which seldom give a great level of detail. It often has to be gleaned through other means.

 

[AndrewE]

If you are using a desktop computer/browser, open two tabs - one for the VAR version of the train and one of the 'base' WTT version
(by selecting the same train on a future date) and then flick between the two to see the differences?
MARK

Thanks, I have tried that , but no matter how long ago or how far ahead I look the "class 9" WCML anglo-scottish trains via the W Midlands all have the same label. I suppose we shall never know.

 

[Watershed]

Thanks, I have tried that , but no matter how long ago or how far ahead I look the "class 9" WCML anglo-scottish trains via the W Midlands all have the same label. I suppose we shall never know.

The amendments are loaded into the system as far as w/c 14 February. Beyond that date the WTT version is shown on RTT etc.

From a diff check, the only difference seems to be the use of platform 1, vice 3, at Carlisle. This is due to platform resurfacing works, meaning that half of platform 3 is currently out of use (Pendolini being too long to be accommodated in half the platform).

 

[AndrewE]

The amendments are loaded into the system as far as w/c 14 February. Beyond that date the WTT version is shown on RTT etc.

From a diff check, the only difference seems to be the use of platform 1, vice 3, at Carlisle. This is due to platform resurfacing works, meaning that half of platform 3 is currently out of use (Pendolini being too long to be accommodated in half the platform).

Thanks. Makes sense now, and another trick learnt.
A

 

[Peregrine 4903]

Yep, that's the only way of really knowing as a member of the public.

Even within the industry, people are reliant on the notes left by NR planners, which seldom give a great level of detail. It often has to be gleaned through other means.

Hey, a lot of ours do though !

Unless you have access to TPS, then you can compares WTT and VAR schedules and see the difference in times, whether they are using different platforms, running lines, track codes, route codes and so forth.

Sometimes, a VAR schedule won't even have any change in running times or running lines and might be something as simple as a change in Service Code, or reservation code or even an attach code being added to a station as it was previously missing one and so forth.