Rail Regulator Tom Winsor last night got tough with Railtrack - ordering the company to produce a recovery plan more tailored to the needs of train operators.

Railtrack now has until January 18 to produce its plan so that both train and freight companies can be in a position to deliver a reliable service.

Mr Winsor said that good progress was being made with Railtrack's recovery programme, put in place following last October's Hatfield crash.

But he said a plan that was specifically tailored for the needs of the train companies was needed.

Mr Winsor has made a provisional enforcement order on Railtrack.

If the company does not produce the ordered plan by January 18, Mr Winsor could then consider a final enforcement order which, if not complied with, could result in financial penalties being imposed on Railtrack.

Mr Winsor said: "Train operators require such plans as well as route-by-route information so that they can plan their services properly and with confidence."

Meanwhile, East Coast main line train operator GNER revealed it is planning a spring offensive to try to win back disillusioned passengers.

The company is drawing up a series of proposals for additional discount fares.

The move is a recognition of the loss of confidence in the railways following the Hatfield crash and widespread disruption caused by flooding and speed restrictions as repairs are carried out.

GNER - widely tipped to retain the franchise for passenger services on the line when a decision is announced later this month - has seen passenger numbers slump, with only about 40 per cent of regular services able to run since Hatfield.

A spokesman said: "We have got to win back the passengers we may have lost and maintain the growth we had previously.

"There was a significant tailing off of passenger numbers and we will certainly be looking at special promotions and fare offers over the next few weeks."

A revised timetable, expected to come in from January 15, will see 90 per cent of main line services running, with journeys from London to Newcastle taking three hours 45 minutes - still about 45 minutes longer than normal.

Railtrack is not expected to lift the remaining speed restrictions on the route until March.