Great Western Coffee Shop

Just wondering.
Can a driver of a late running train just 'open the throttle' and drive faster (taking safety, temporary speed checks, etc, etc) to try and make up some time enroute.

It seems these days that control will miss out stops to try and make up time, but can the driver just 'go faster' I wonder.

To a limited extent, yes, though most drivers already ‘open the throttle’ when on green aspects.  In fact going back a few decades the front of operating notices instructed them to.  Nowadays there’s so much panicking - for example for the last couple of years drivers have been instructed to reduce speed to 10mph 200m from any red signal during the leaf fall period. - and with the reward for doing so an increased chance of an incident.

In years gone by, it was common too slightly exceed the speed limit if running late.10% more than the permitted speed was common under favourable conditions.
HSTs were often driven significantly over the maximum permitted speed. Indeed there was an unoficial club known as the "140 club" for those who reached 140 MPH driving an HST. Speed limiters were later fitted to prevent this.

The "Southern" had some very high powered DC EMUs known as REP units, primarily intended for hauling a similar looking trailer unit. Some exxcesive speeds were attained with ONLY a REP unit, not hauling anything else.

Driving SLIGHTLY in excess of the permitted speed is unlikely have any serious consequences, but is now strictly prohibited, and is enforced by data recorders.

As an example of the consequences of significant excess speed, consider the Croydon tramlink accident, which cost a number of lives.

A number of train paths / diagrams are for class 150 trains with a maximum speed of 75 mph, but 165/1, 166 and 158s are all capable of 90 mph.   This was notably helpful on making up time between Swindon and Chippenham (for example) in the past.

There are also train driving advice systems (not sure if GWR have them fitted) which will recommend power and coasting and braking points to drivers to help them keep to time and not waste energy / fuel by being early and then sitting in stations.  Such systems will recommend "opening the throttle" a bit more where a train is running late.

Two memorable examples in my past experience.

Island line, when run by the Souters, late departure from Sandown. Took off like rocket, wondered if the flanges were able to keep it on track. Guard checking tickets moving between carriages, remeber Underground sign saying doors to move between carriages when the train is in motion.

North Downs line, very late arrival at Guilford from Gatwick. Greeted on arrival by a collection of BTP and Surrey Police and dogs, offenders removed and off we went. Pedal to the metal all the way. Guard did excellent work sorting out connections and arranging onward travel from stations in the South West. A credit to the company.