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Murphy - we dont have dispatchers here like you do in the States. Basically every train is timetabled. Here is a basic rundown: In a nutshell - the Train Operators (both frieght and Passenger) put bids in to Network Rial for paths. Notwork Fail er...sorry Network Rail then produces the timetable and IN THEORY this means that every train should run smoothly if they are on time with a sea of green signals before them. Of course things do not happen quite like that. Both passenger and frieght operators can put in for VSTP (Very short term plan) moves which is basically on the day and STP moves (Short Term Plan) which is basically 24hrs beforehand. These are then timetabled alledgedly using any white space available. Incidentally as HMG runs the train operators and decides what timetable can and can't be run then some parts can be very rigid. When the railways where first "privatised" there was a procedure in place that train operators could bid for each others paths every 8 weeks - bloody hell. Under Schedule 8 of the Railways Act 1994 there is enshrined a performance regime. This is a kafkaesque piece of stupidity. Every train is measured against point to point timings at certain sections along its journey; and any delay against those times above a certain threshold has to be attributed. So there are people whose (well paid) purpose in life is to attribute the delays. Penalties are then paid - they can be against the infrastructure provider; reactionary delay (i.e. against another operator) or what is known as TOC on self. The penalties paid range from say £20 a minute on a little used branch to an eye watering £300/min on some London Commuter Routes (Thameslink was at this level - not sure if it still is). For each delay a series of codes is allocated and in some respects this is quite a useful system; you can tell for example how many minutes delay a points failure accrued and how much "it cost" both literally and metaphorically - so it can help target investment better. This system called TRUST (has various other uses) is alos used for Performance Figures which are issued by the government and governs a complex system of fines and bonuses for the passenger train operators. As a result there are various regulation procedures which are laid down for the signallers in various boxes to follow although the main rule is the least overall delay. So, if you have a longer distance train running late and a commuter service with a very tight turnaround at the termini on time the longer distance train may get regulated to follow this. That is one reason why early running freight (except for the former Royal Mail Traffic which used to first on the timing graph) is frowned upon; if it delays a passenger train behind say (or any on time train) then the delay maybe attributed to the signaller. So if it is at all possible they are looped until thier correct path comes available; if they are late then they wait their turn unless a path is available at that time. Then looped to let other trains pass. That is, of course if the infrastructure is there for looping. I hope that sheds some light. Others may add or possibly contradict.
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