Train at train station (Image: GETTY) Promised improvements to timetables due to launch next month are at risk, and cancellations have already begun. Northern, which bore the brunt of last year’s timetable chaos, would not confirm whether any of its 101 new trains would be in service in time. But the company insisted its planned timetable improvement was “robust and deliverable”. Some trains were delivered but testing was suspended after fears about how they coped with sharp bends. Related articles The rail network has become a national disgrace, says LEO McKINSTRY Entire Southeastern line CLOSED and commuter chaos to last ALL WEEK Easter travel updates: Is your train journey affected by Easter? Hundreds of existing trains do not meet rules on disabled access coming into force next January so must be modified. Northern has 240 trains to modify, while Transport for Wales has so far completed just 18 out of 73 trains. In Wales, posters proclaim “the journey is almost over for old trains”. But from next month TfW is hiring 1965 diesel engines hauling 1970s coaches to cope. Some companies are using mothballed 1980s trains, while others have cut services by up to half. Roger Ford of Modern Railways magazine said: “Every train being delivered is late, and some operators won’t be able to run their full timetable.” North London’s Gospel Oak to Barking line was electrified last year at a cost of £133million. But its service has been cut by half because its leased diesels were needed elsewhere and the new electric trains are 18 months late. Trains like this 1985 HST are pressed back into service. (Image: InterCity) Manufacturer Bombardier has blamed software glitches. Cancellations are also widespread in Scotland where only 50 of 70 Class 385 electric trains have been delivered. On its intercity services Scotrail is replacing 1990s units, needed elsewhere, with 26 engines built in the 1970s. Even promised refurbished 39-year-old former London Tube trains and 33-year-old former British Rail stock are late.All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility