What is a scheduled halt?

A scheduled halt is a planned stop that a train makes at a station as per its official timetable. During this halt passengers can board or get off the train, and the train may also take on water, fuel, or change crew. The halt duration varies from as short as one minute at small stations to up to 20 or 30 minutes at major junctions where the train may require a locomotive change or extensive servicing. Scheduled halts are marked in the railway timetable with both arrival and departure times. Trains do not skip scheduled halts unless there is a special operational situation.