It's the time of year when rush-hour commuters don't have to worry about snow and ice, the wrong kind of leaves or even 'slippery rails'.

But the rush hour on Monday, May 20 could still be the day when things don't quite go to plan whether your journey takes you to or through Birmingham New Street Station, Snow Hill Station or Moor Street Station.

That's because rail operating companies have introduced their new 'summer' timetables over the weekend.

And that could mean your regular train might have a new time or has even been scrapped altogether.

Last year, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Northern were cancelling 470 and 310 trains per day after the intention to provide extra services went pear-shaped.

A West Midlands Railway train at Moor Street Station
Don't be left on the wrong side of the tracks after the summer timetable changes

Most companies are trying to introduce extra services this year, too - later services are being added to the Cross City line between Lichfield and Birmingham for example.

So, if all goes well, you might miss one train and discover there will be another one along quicker than you thought.

Whatever happens, it pays to check in advance.

Don't be left stranded by the summer timetable changes - passengers waiting for trains at Moor Street Station
Don't be left stranded by the summer timetable changes - passengers waiting for trains at Moor Street Station

That way, fingers crossed, you should only have yourself to blame if you are late for work.

Aston Villa fans hoping to travel to Wembley for the play-off final on Monday, May 27 should also check for engineering works as well as changes to the new Bank Holiday summer timetable.

Working out timetables when making journeys involving more than one company can be especially tricky.

The National Rail Enquiries website has a link here which gives one-click access to 28 different train operators around country.

Don't miss the chance the visit the world's biggest Primark - it's next to Moor Street Station
Don't miss the chance the visit the world's biggest Primark - it's next to Moor Street Station

What's happened?

The National Rail Timetable changes in May and December each year.

The current timetable started on Sunday 19 May 2019 and will operate until Saturday 14 December 2019.

Local operators involved include West Midlands Trains, which runs both West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway, and Chiltern Railways.

West Midlands Trains is promising three trains an hour to and from Euston with more direct services to Wolverhampton, Walsall and Stoke-on-Trent via New Street.

The railway viaduct through Digbeth heading towards Moor Street Station (left)
The railway viaduct through Digbeth heading towards Moor Street Station (left)

Faster trains with more carriages and seats will result thanks to electrification work between Rugeley Trent Valley and Walsall.

West Midlands Railway is planning to introduce new trains from 2020, leaving passenger groups hoping that its inherited existing stock will be able to keep going for a little while longer.

A West Midlands Railway spokesman said: "May train times are changing and services will get better as we introduce our first major timetable change across the network."

The old GWR brickwork next to Snow Hill Railway Station, with Snow Hill Car Park above
The old GWR brickwork next to Snow Hill Railway Station, with Snow Hill Car Park above

A Chiltern Railways spokesman said: "Please check the new timetable carefully to ensure you know when your train is due and remember that the warmer months bring with them a host of sporting and music events.

"We do our best to adapt train times to make sure customers can travel to these and so we advise you to always check before you travel and pick your tickets up in advance."

Headline news per operator

Chiltern : 'Two existing services will be joined together to create a direct service between London and Stratford-upon-Avon, doubling the number of weekday services'.

Cross Country : 'Extra weekend trains will run between Exeter and Bristol, and between Exeter and Birmingham'.

West Midlands Railway : 'There will be more early, late and weekend services'.

The new Virgin Trains timetables are here