The RPS has been regularly publishing details of Fastest Times between selected stations in the UK, with the listings available on The RPS website under DATA: Fastest Times Listings. The current tables try to reflect the current stopping pattern of the services which operate over each line.
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Must have a publicly advertised non-stop working by the qualifying traction type, which has been advertised in a public timetable as operating between the two points in question on at least one day per week for at least four consecutive weeks. Generally, no distinction will be made as to the route taken. The section must have been capable of being used by fare-paying passengers, and must have been advertised to members of the public, whether by way of public timetables, station notices or public address announcements on stations or trains concerned.
For the main lines in Great Britain, the WCML and ECML, listings are available for pre and post 2008, to try to reflect the current defensive driving practices espoused by all train operating companies.
GB Fastest Times:
Following the success of the Great Britain edition, coverage was extended to countries operating high speed train services, 100mph or greater maximum speed, around the world. Subsequent listings have included the lines from IE (Irish Railways), Belfast to Londonderry, SNCF Grandes Lignes and Secondaries (shown together as Grandes Lignes), additional coverage of other routes in Spain, and some coverage of lines in Australia.
Historic Fastest Times are also available for a number of lines, which generally cover up to the demise of locomotive hauled traction, on lines which have been electrified or are operated by the differing varieties of HST’s, Voyagers, Pendolinos etc. These are compiled by Bevan Price.
Recent copies are available below:
An annual supplement of the GB and Historical times is produced each July, when subscribed, covering selected routes.