Thursday 24 November 2016

Timetable and maps for London National Rail services



Looking at TfL’s website - they don’t feature timetables for National Rail services, only timetables for their own services such as London Buses, London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Tramlink, London Overground and TFL Rail.

TfL do have a map though which shows the railway services in London as they are part of the Oyster Pay-As-You-Go fare system. TFL also provide “National Rail journeys,” on their Journey Planner.

National Rail holds a list of all railway companies on their website, including some London Transport services; they also link to their network map.

However, I’ve decided to list the railway companies which serve London, (including airport services) with links to their timetable, maps and their phone app. This does not include intercity services.


Chiltern Railways
National Rail abbreviation: CH
Parent company: Arriva UK Trains
London Terminus: London Marylebone and London Paddington (limited service)


c2c
National Rail abbreviation: CC
Parent company: National Express Group
London Terminus: London Fenchurch Street and London Liverpool Street (limited times)


Gatwick Express (Express Airport service)
National Rail abbreviation: GX
Parent company: Govia Thameslink Railway
London Terminus: London Victoria


Greater Anglia
National Rail abbreviation: LE
Parent company: Abellio
London Terminus: London Liverpool Street


Great Northern
National Rail abbreviation: GN
Parent company: Govia Thameslink Railway
London Terminus: London King’s Cross and London Moorgate


Great Western Railway
National Rail abbreviation: GW
Parent company: FirstGroup
London Terminus: London Paddington


Heathrow Connect (Airport service)
National Rail abbreviation: HC
Parent company: Heathrow Airport Holdings/FirstGroup
London Terminus: London Paddington


Heathrow Express (Express airport service)
National Rail abbreviation: HX
Parent company: Heathrow Airport Holdings
London Terminus: London Paddington


London Midland
National Rail abbreviation: LM
Parent company: Govia
London Terminus: London Euston


London Overground
National Rail abbreviation: LO
Operated by Arriva Rail London
London Terminus: London Euston, London Liverpool Street and Clapham Junction


Southern
National Rail abbreviation: SN
Parent company: Govia Thameslink Railway
London Terminus: London Victoria and London Bridge


Southeastern
National Rail abbreviation: SE
Parent company: Govia
London Terminus: London St Pancras International (for high speed line), London Charing Cross, London Victoria, London Cannon Street and London Blackfriars (limited service)


South West Trains
National Rail abbreviation: SW
Parent company: Stagecoach
London Terminus: London Waterloo

Phone app for Android and Apple iPhone

Stansted Express (Express airport service)
National Rail abbreviation: SX
Parent company: Abellio Greater Anglia
London Terminus: London Liverpool Street


TFL Rail
National Rail abbreviation: XR
Operated by MTR Corporation
London Terminus: London Liverpool Street



Thameslink
National Rail abbreviation: GN
Parent company: Govia Thameslink Railway
London Terminus: London Bridge, London St Pancras International and London Blackfriars


I’d like to point out that if you look closely at the timetable, you will be able to see some fast, regional services within the London Travel Zones.


Some trains which travel to destinations away from London also serve outer London stations, making very few (if any) stops in the inner suburbs. Depending on the route served these journeys may take 15 - 30 minutes and the trains often include 1st class seating and free toilets. In the list below the London terminal station and name of the train operator are in brackets.


  • East Croydon (Victoria [Southern], London Bridge [Thameslink], West London Line [Southern]).
  • Bromley South (Victoria [SouthEastern]).
  • Harrow & Wealdstone (Euston [London Midland], West London Line [Southern]).
  • Harrow-on-The-Hill (Marylebone [Chiltern Railways], Baker Street [Metropolitan Line]).
  • West Ruislip (Marylebone [Chiltern Railways]).
  • Wimbledon (Waterloo [SouthWest Trains]).
  • Richmond (Waterloo [SouthWest Trains]).
  • Romford (Liverpool Street [Greater Anglia]).
  • Upminster (Fenchurch Street [C2C]).
  • Also, do not forget the Thameslink trains which often provide faster journeys (than the Underground) on north-south services through London - and have free toilets.
Two stations just outside of London which are also served by longer distance trains that travel ‘fast’ within London.

  • Dartford (Victoria, Charing Cross / Waterloo East / London Bridge [SouthEastern]).
  • Watford Junction (Euston, Clapham Junction / West London Line [London Midland, London Overground, Southern, Virgin]). Special fares apply here, the situation is very confusing. Passengers travelling on Overground trains can travel to / from this station using Oyster PAYG and Travelcards which include Watford Junction. But the Euston - Watford journey takes about 50 minutes whilst travelling on London Midland services takes 15-20 minutes. I am not sure about trains operated by other railway companies, so it is best to ask.

I would recommend that you look at Real Time Trains and the National Rail departures to find the ‘fast train’ services.

As always, I invite you to follow me on Twitter and Google Plus which is @CLondoner92

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