Is there any chance of getting freight train times...?

Question

without paying for them!

Answer 1

Times, like schedule times?

There are very very few freight trains that run on a schedule anymore.

And if there was a schedule they would normally be late.

That's not being facetious, just stating the facts.

Answer 2

I would say contact Network Rail train planning department department for your area as they plan out the times that trains should be run (that id freight train & passenger trains)

The main switchboard number for them is: 020 7557 8000, they should be able to give you the phone number for the local route.

Answer 3

In the United States, check the Internet for fan groups of particular railroads.  They often have information about the various trains operating, and about when they typically operate.

Note that the majority of freight trains today are not scheduled like passenger service, since the public is not depending on a freight being at a particular location at a particular time.  Most do have a usual time for departure from their originating yard, but the time it takes to complete the run will vary, mostly depending on the amount of switching work (if any) to be done along the way.  Locations and times of meets with other trains, and even getting the crew to the terminating yard before their hours of service expires, is situational.

Answer 4

If you hang about at Coleshill Parkway Station, you will see the odd freightliner near Hams Hall.