[scienceman]

I would guess to account for any unfamiliarity from the operators (new systems, etc) and allowing more time to sort out any other kinks. (they also pad the schedules for old trains too -- this is to accommodate small slowdowns without causing cascading delays).

[bobthepanda]

If you run the new trains at maximum potential then they will just catch up to the old train in front of them and then have to maintain the old train’s pace. So during the transition period you couldn’t really run the new train faster anyways.

[jasonpeacock]

New trains: padded schedule

Old trains: padded schedule

So really, all train schedules are padded - which makes sense, you need buffers to absorb variance in performance to have reliable schedules.

[eqvinox]

> Old trains: padded schedule

No — Old trains: schedule based on experiences from having ran them for at least a year (i.e. all seasons)

New trains' buffers are larger because you don't know e.g. how shit the brakes are when you have tons of leaves on your rails. (Yes this is an actual thing¹.)

[¹ Ed.: in case anyone is incredulous at the leaves thing: https://www.groupe-sncf.com/en/group/behind-the-scenes/traff... ]