London Victoria - Bizarre working...

[DaveHarries]

Hi all,

Looking on the Open Train Times site for overnight 30th August / early hours of 31st August I have come across this bizarre - and perhaps pointless - working. Anyone know the reason behind it?

5Z50 0102 Stewarts Lane T&RSMD - Stewarts Lane T&RSMD
http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/X42326/2012/8/30

The train is designated an STP (Short-term Planned Working) and OTT says it is to run "Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from Tuesday 28th August 2012 to Friday 31st August 2012". However a look at the schedule - click "Options" (at the top right) and click "Detailed" for the full route and schedule - makes that working look quite pointless to me. Does anyone on here know why it runs?

Dave

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It's not positioning move for a Paralympics extra is it? Or a stock swap on Gatwick Express?

 

[EltonRoad]

Is that what STP stands for? I'd thought it was special train path.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I thought it was short term path, ie put in at short notice?

 

[EM2]

Could it be a Network Rail service? Measurement or surveying train?

 

[ushawk]

Most probably some route learning/refreshing, overnight trains from East Croydon to Victoria are occasionally diverted into Victoria on the route via Brixton.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Could it be a Network Rail service? Measurement or surveying train?

Wouldn't those run as 3Qxx?

 

[Jedipickles]

Wouldn't those run as 3Qxx?

Network Rail's Test Trains have used all sorts of headcodes including 1Qxx, 1Zxx, 3Qxx, 3Zxx & 5Zxx

and it looks like it's a Route Refreshers for Southern or Gatwick Express - maybe due to upcoming engineering works & diversions...

 

[matt]

Is that what STP stands for? I'd thought it was special train path.

STP = Short Term Planning

 

[b0b]

that seems a pretty fun working

 

[David Goddard]

De-icer train?? Allocated a path throughout the year then just used when required??