In this article an alternate sensitivity analysis is proposed for train schedules. It characterises the schedules
robustness or lack thereof and provides unique profiles of performance for different sources of delay
and for different values of delay. An approach like this is necessary because train schedules are only a
prediction of what will actually happen. They can perform poorly with respect to a variety of performance
metrics, when deviations and other delays occur, if for instance they can even be implemented, and as
originally intended. The information provided by this analytical approach is beneficial because it can
be used as part of a proactive scheduling approach to alter a schedule in advance or to identify suitable
courses of action for specific ‘‘bad behaviour’’. Furthermore this information may be used to quantify the
cost of delay. The effect of sectional running time (SRT) deviations and additional dwell time in particular
were quantified for three railway schedule performance measures. The key features of this approach were
demonstrated in a case study.