Station Dwell Times

I think you'll find there are no MINIMUM dwell times that actually have to be followed by the train operator. The WTTs will assume differing levels of dwell time at different stops at differing times of day, however it is for the train operator to determine the actual dwell time. So on a clear platform when the train is running late the doors may be fully open for as little as 2 seconds. The WTTs will and do show if a booked stand time at a specific regulating point is to be made by a train that is on time this is indicated in the WTT by a lettered code between the hour and minutes, eg 16a32 indicates a booked stand of 30 seconds, 17k23 indicates a booked stand of 5 1/2 minutes, (may be different on a Central Line WTT which shows 1/4 mins). The signaller, may, however, dispense with any booked stand time if it in the interests of the service and a late train will abate any booked stand time to return it to timetable.

On Victoria Line 1967 stock, the DVA system automatically counts down a pre-set dwell time, different for each stop and peak and off peak, before it automatically plays "Stand clear of the doors" but this can be over ridden by the t/op to play earlier or later or not at all, again the t/op retains control of door operations regardless of what the DVA may be playing.

Warning, quite boring and long post about WTTs ;D ;D

I've dug out from the WTT mountain:

Bakerloo 22 (27/9/98)
Victoria 27 (27/9/98)
District 125 (27/9/98)

which were the last WTTs published with a list of suggested maximum dwell times. Circle Line WTTs have never had them published from WTT 1; nor is there anything in the corresponding Mets.

aspect is referring to 'stand time' which is different to 'dwell', at least in the UndergrounD sense. Stand time is booked in the WTT and is there for several reasons - recovery time (stationary) or to maintain connections. Moving recovery time is known as 'pathing time' and is occasionally applied in UndergrounD terms [1], but would be mentioned at the start of the WTT. Reversing allowances are also mentioned in the matrix of running times, using the H&C/Circle as an example: 2 minutes are allowed for bay reversers at Aldgate (this being ½ minute less than the booked Outer Rail running time), ½ minute extra is allowed for bay reversers at Plaistow and 1½ for the bays at Moorgate. Just to complicate matters reversing allowances are not timetabled when ∇ appears in the galley (stepping-back).

Circle stand time is a curious beast, (I will scan a copy of the Central codes which cover all lines that are timetabled to either ¼ or ½ minute resolution), there is a pattern of sorts [2] . However typing up all the possibilites would be very long winded and quite boring to read, if you can get yourself a copy of the Met. District and Circle/H&C WTTs that are all valid on the same date - it is the only way you'll work out why there is Tower Hill stand time for a Circle, followed by a bit at High Street Ken. Some of it is to allow reversers to depart or other trains through the junctions. Stand time is not consistent either, a train will not be held for the same amount of time at the same place either on following trains or subsequent rounders. I think I understand it, but it is the nearest thing to a 'black art' that you will find in timetabling terms.

I will scan and web up the dwell matrixes and the Central abbreviations later on this afternoon, if you want.

[1] just to expand, 'pathing time' is added to a section on the UndergrounD, not as elsewhere where individual trains have accelerated/decelerated times. Pathing time in this sense is either additional running time between points (often added in ½ minute increments, with a footnote saying 'due to track condition ½ minute has been temporarily added to the running time between Drayton Park and Cloudesley Road')

[2] There is: e ER, b HSK with no b at LS; a b at LS means an a at ER with e/a at HSK/GR (but that only holds true for the some of the time and depends what the green line is doing).

Yes please - would be useful! Thanks for the reply, am just working on something at the mo and would like to be accurate if I could!

No probs, no rush! Help is much appreciated!

Complete with various expleatives as others shut the door and pull away.... ;D sometimes I expect that its better that once the train leaves the platform, t/ops can't see gestures - think we'd probably get more train rage if they did!

Ta very muchley, most useful!

It seems strange that the district sticks rigedly in both peaks whereas others vary - oh well, must be some method in their madness!

What I also find very intriguing is that some timings are quite literally down to the second, for example 26 - such precision really does seem to be once again very doubtful on some stops, would be interesting to see how many times out of a days running they are actually met.... ;D

The preamble in section B WTT for London Suburban Area stated

A half minute is allowed for station duties in the case of steam and diesel trains and 20 seconds in the case of electric trains unless seperate arrival and departure times are provided or more time is specified by letter indications.

This is included in every WTT until fairly recently though steam disappeared in 1969. Even though this is a BR publication the timings were relevent to the Bakerloo service north of Queen's Park.