Unusual LNER movement at Peterborough

[horsewalrus]

Earlier today while waiting for a train at Peterborough, I saw a LNER Azuma (800207 according to RTT) pull in ECS to Platform 6, change ends, and depart again. I checked RTT and saw that it had come in from Ferme Park Recp. [XFD] via Cambridge and Ely, and was then due to go to Bounds Green TMD, once again via Ely and Cambridge.

What's the purpose of this? Guessing it's diversionary route learning, in case there's disruption on the ECML between Stevenage and Peterborough? (Somewhat doubt LNER are going to start services to Cambridge!)

 

[David Bullock]

Earlier today while waiting for a train at Peterborough, I saw a LNER Azuma (800207 according to RTT) pull in ECS to Platform 6, change ends, and depart again. I checked RTT and saw that it had come in from Ferme Park Recp. [XFD] via Cambridge and Ely, and was then due to go to Bounds Green TMD, once again via Ely and Cambridge.

What's the purpose of this? Guessing it's diversionary route learning, in case there's disruption on the ECML between Stevenage and Peterborough? (Somewhat doubt LNER are going to start services to Cambridge!)

Diversions via Cambridge are planned for 25th and 26th Jan for East Coast Digital Programme Work.

 

[MikeWM]

Seems to be a few of these happening at the moment; I saw an LNER train sitting on the through freight line on the east side of Ely station on Saturday just before 1400, presumably this one

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:N00174/2025-08-16/detailed
(1226 Ferme Park to PBO, via Cambridge and Ely).

There was a 700 in the way on platform 3 so there wasn't much to actually see, unfortunately. I'm guessing it was a 5 carriages one as the 8-car 700 was longer than it.

 

[milooo]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:N00617/2025-09-02/detailed here is another LNER running empty to Peterborough via Cambridge

 

[bspahh]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:N00617/2025-09-02/detailed here is another LNER running empty to Peterborough via Cambridge

I saw this one https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:N03622/2025-08-30/detailed from the viewing point next to Peterborough East junction at Rail World. It was the 15:19 Peterborough to Bounds Green on August 30th.

 

[zephyr6]

Just wondering why this Azuma is parked at Ely at 1115 today. Can anyone enlighten me?

Edited to add that it was providing wifi on platforms 2 and 3. Nothing at all on my Great Northern service to Cambridge.

 

[fgwrich]

Route learning / refreshing for LNER drivers for up and coming winter diversions whilst Engineering Work closes the ECML between Peterborough and London. I can’t remember if it’s between Peterborough and Hitchin or further down.

 

[AlexanderC]

Route learning / refreshing for LNER drivers for up and coming winter diversions whilst Engineering Work closes the ECML between Peterborough and London. I can’t remember if it’s between Peterborough and Hitchin or further down.

Think it’s between Peterborough and Hitchin and then Knebworth and somewhere between Potters Bar and Alexandra Palace as the route learner trains have been going via Hartford North as well.

 

[ainsworth74]

Of course in another universe it would have been common to see one of those trains at Ely as back in the mists of time the Intercity Express Programme (that gave us the 80x family) was intended to include services to Cambridge/Kings Lynn!

 

[DarloRich]

Of course in another universe it would have been common to see one of those trains at Ely as back in the mists of time the Intercity Express Programme (that gave us the 80x family) was intended to include services to Cambridge/Kings Lynn!

shame -as when my mum lived up past kings Lynn the units on that line were not fun!

 

[ChrisT]

An increasingly common sight, for forthcoming diversions off the ECML I am told.



On 9th October 800208 worked as 5Z81 Ferme Park to Peterborough. This is it in Ely Up Through Siding with 158813 in platform 3 as the 9.55 Norwich to Nottingham and 170398 in platform 1 forming the 10.27 Stansted Airport to Birmingham New Street.

This is just like old times.



Sunday diversions in the '80s. 55021 Argyll & Sutherland Highlander passes West River signalbox at Little Thetford on 27th September 1981. The other photographer is Dr Ian C. Allen.