Southern 377 Gatwick-Ashford ECS moves this week

[brad465]

Apologies if this has been put in another thread, the search didn't reveal anything.

This week there have been some ECS moves between Gatwick and Ashford, conducted by a Southern 377. A run on Monday was cancelled, but then 377111, 377408 and 377405 each did the run Tue-Thu; there was no Friday run scheduled. Anyone know what this was for?

Realtime Trains | 5Z77 1919 Gatwick Airport C.H.S. to Ashford International | 30/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z77 1919 departure from Gatwick Airport C.H.S. to Ashford International on 30/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Z77 1919 Gatwick Airport C.H.S. to Ashford International | 01/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z77 1919 departure from Gatwick Airport C.H.S. to Ashford International on 01/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Z77 1919 Gatwick Airport C.H.S. to Ashford International | 02/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z77 1919 departure from Gatwick Airport C.H.S. to Ashford International on 02/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Southern Dvr]

Route learning due to the St Leonards blockade I believe. 171s will have to divert Ashford to Redhill in order to get to Selhurst Depot.

 

[brad465]

Route learning due to the St Leonards blockade I believe. 171s will have to divert Ashford to Redhill in order to get to Selhurst Depot.

I see, presumably 171s were not available to do the runs at the time.

 

[Southern Dvr]

I see, presumably 171s were not available to do the runs at the time.

They’re barely available to do their booked work, let alone additional route learning trips!

The 171s going from Ashford to Selhurst will be the ones that usually run via Lewes overnight.

 

[trainmania100]

When is this blockade at st Leonard's, in warior square station ?
The 171s are usually stabled / fuelled at the depot on the west side of WSQ so I'm guessing they'll be stabling somewhere in Ashford when not in service ?

I'm hoping the 375s might go via Lewes to London like before if they can't go through WSQ . Definitely got some going up the BML when the Ashford line was closed

 

[NSE]

The blockade is for Bo Peep Tunnel. So nothing can run through. As such, the nightly Eastbourne - Selhurst diesel run will instead be Ashford - Selhurst via the SEML to Tonbridge and then via Redhill and up to East Croydon as usual.

Southern will be running Hastings - Ashford shuttles while this happens.

As for stabling, Southern don’t sign any sidings at Ashford so any stabling will be done in Hastings.

 

[brad465]

When is this blockade at st Leonard's, in warior square station ?
The 171s are usually stabled / fuelled at the depot on the west side of WSQ so I'm guessing they'll be stabling somewhere in Ashford when not in service ?

I'm hoping the 375s might go via Lewes to London like before if they can't go through WSQ . Definitely got some going up the BML when the Ashford line was closed

October half term: Hastings-Bexhill is shut, as is the line all the way to Tunbridge Wells. Southeastern won't be anywhere near Hastings while this is going on, with Marshlink services being the only link to Hastings in this period. I certainly wouldn't want to be travelling on the Marshlink during this period, given it will be even more rammed and Southern can't lengthen these services easily (lack of stock).

 

[stadler]

Will this be the first time that a 171 has gone on the Paddock Wood route? I know they have gone via Battle many times but i have never heard of this before?

 

[NSE]

Will this be the first time that a 171 has gone on the Paddock Wood route? I know they have gone via Battle many times but i have never heard of this before?

I certainly can’t think of another time they have.

 

[brad465]

Will this be the first time that a 171 has gone on the Paddock Wood route? I know they have gone via Battle many times but i have never heard of this before?

I certainly can’t think of another time they have.

This video proves they've been through Paddock Wood before, filmed almost a year ago:

 

[stadler]

This video proves they've been through Paddock Wood before, filmed almost a year ago:

Ah thank you for the link. Interesting to see that it has indeed happened in the past as well.

I wonder if the 171s have ever gone via Sevenoaks and Orpington or via Sevenoaks and Swanley or via Maidstone East and Swanley before? I am wondering if the Edenbridge route has ever been shut at the same time as the Coastway route and required such a diversion?

Out of interest do any Southern drivers permanently sign via Battle as well? Or is that similar to via Paddock Wood in that it requires driver route learning runs in advance of any 171 diversions?

 

[yorksrob]

This takes me back to my youth. Thumper to Hastings, RRB to Bexhill then a CIG onwards.

Sounds like they'll be using all the centre roads between Ashford and Redhill. Wouldn't mind a trip on that !

 

[NSE]

Ah thank you for the link. Interesting to see that it has indeed happened in the past as well.

I wonder if the 171s have ever gone via Sevenoaks and Orpington or via Sevenoaks and Swanley or via Maidstone East and Swanley before? I am wondering if the Edenbridge route has ever been shut at the same time as the Coastway route and required such a diversion?

Out of interest do any Southern drivers permanently sign via Battle as well? Or is that similar to via Paddock Wood in that it requires driver route learning runs in advance of any 171 diversions?

No one signs via Battle permanently that I can confirm.

This takes me back to my youth. Thumper to Hastings, RRB to Bexhill then a CIG onwards.

Sounds like they'll be using all the centre roads between Ashford and Redhill. Wouldn't mind a trip on that !

Don’t think they will at Ashford. Coming off the Marshlink I think the layout will push you through P1 or P2 to join the SEML.

 

[yorksrob]

Don’t think they will at Ashford. Coming off the Marshlink I think the layout will push you through P1 or P2 to join the SEML.

Yes, that's one they won't be able to !

 

[brad465]

No one signs via Battle permanently that I can confirm.

Don’t think they will at Ashford. Coming off the Marshlink I think the layout will push you through P1 or P2 to join the SEML.

Have the through lines at Ashford ever been used by passenger services (such as some pre-HS1 Eurostar services)? A railtour very recently did IIRC, but otherwise beyond those occasional diagrams, nothing does as Eurostars use the dedicated bypass.

 

[yorksrob]

Have the through lines at Ashford ever been used by passenger services (such as some pre-HS1 Eurostar services)? A railtour very recently did IIRC, but otherwise beyond those occasional diagrams, nothing does as Eurostars use the dedicated bypass.

Used to get the old boat trains coming through quite often. Made quite a noise in the old booking hall on the footbridge !

Also did a railtour (The Kingswear Castle) that did the up fast a few years back.

 

[Cricketer8for9]

Pre HS1 Eurostars certainly did.