Train times

What is it with British Rail that makes their trains never run on time?

I'm used to my train to work never arriving on time, but this morning was different. I had to take a later train as I was waiting for a guy from the garage come to assess the damage to my motor.

I took the 9.36am train from Streatham Hill, which left at 9.46am. Getting into Clapham at 10.00am meant I could take the 10.03am to Kensington Olympia and not be late. Only the 10.03 was now magically the 10.23am. Of course, this gave me time to try and get a rebate on train tickets.

Ascending to the platform at 10.20, and waiting until 10.28 the 10.23 suddenly became the "delayed". So... hopping on over to platform 2 to take the 3-car shuttle (why 3 cars, why?) the 10.35 became the 10.41am getting me to work just after 11am. Not bad for starting out 1h15m earlier.

Now I understand that the frequency of trains in and around the capital is something Toronto could only dream of, but if they're always going to be late or delayed or cancelled, where's the use in attempting to use them with any regularity.