The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) says improving sectional running times (SRTs) could unlock £16 million (18.9 million euros) in annual benefits. Its research shows faster freight, longer and heavier trains within existing timings, and new network paths could all be enabled.
The project addresses decades-old assumptions still used in planning freight services. More accurate calculations should cut delays, improve resilience, and create capacity that otherwise lies unused on Great Britain’s network.
A challenge rooted in the past
The problem stems from existing SRTs, which remain based on outdated expectations of locomotive and wagon performance. According to RSSB, this has created inefficiencies that ripple across the timetable. “Inaccurate SRTs mean journey times are either underestimated, which causes delays, or overestimated, which blocks otherwise viable freight paths,” says the organisation.
To put the new approach to the test, RSSB built on earlier work around trailing load limits. It developed a fresh methodology that better reflects today’s freight capability. Using five case studies, the research showed every route analysed had scope for improvement, with faster timings and greater efficiency delivered in every case.
Tangible benefits already delivered
The research has unlocked benefits worth up to £16 million per year. These gains include enabling existing trains to travel faster, carrying more loads within the same timings, and creating headroom for growth. The methodology has already been used to improve freight timetables, notably by operator Freightliner and the national infrastruture agency Network Rail’s Wales & Borders region.
Industry support has been positive. “This helps us improve the performance of freight services and increase opportunities to grow rail freight,” said programme manager Josh Bliszko at Network Rail Wales. For the UK, and across Europe too, better use of capacity remains critical to freight’s long-term competitiveness.
The wider role of RSSB
RSSB is the independent safety, standards, and research body for Great Britain’s railways. It works to improve safety, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and sustainability across the industry. RSSB says its current focus includes reducing costs and supporting rail freight growth. The new methodology for sectional running times is a keystone in that effort.
RSSB has previously led research into increasing freight capacity. For example, its work has enabled revised thinking about longer trains via strengthened coupler ratings. That has resulted in environmental and financial gains for operators. The body has also encouraged operators to fund and collaborate on research to support the government’s goal of growing rail freight by 75% by 2050. Mark Phillips, the RSSB CEO, has made this a clear call to action for the sector. If adopted more widely, the approach could deliver transformational benefits for UK rail freight. Faster, more reliable trains would not only reduce industry costs but also strengthen supply chains, boost modal shift, and support wider economic growth.