Etches Park to Nottingham ECS

[Teapot42]

I was just looking at EMR services today, and spotted a very odd move from Etches Park to Nottingham for an early departure:
5B07 0414 Etches Park Sdgs to Nottingham

I was confused how it managed to make up most of what was at one point showing as a 53 minute delay, but once I opened up Google Maps and looked at the route I'm struggling to understand why it would be routed the way it was anyway? It reverses twice and goes a much longer route rather than the obvious via Spondon that later moves are pathed for. I suspect that's the way it actually went in the end, but what reason could there be for what seems to be a single move a day to be pathed this way?

A related question would be why on earth didn't they just put an east-bound link direct out of Etches Park so there was no need to go in to Derby and reverse?

I guess it would also be a factor in any electrification of this route that any such options would also need wiring.

 

[LowLevel]

It's an amended schedule for this week due to engineering work evidently the work had finished by the time it actually left so it could go via the normal route.

 

[Teapot42]

Thanks. Odd that it's only this one - the next move is only 15 minutes later but seemed pathed as you'd expect.

 

[LowLevel]

Thanks. Odd that it's only this one - the next move is only 15 minutes later but seemed pathed as you'd expect.

I've actually drilled into it and I was wrong - it is in fact booked via Stenson Junction and Castle Donington and the amendment is just a change of platform from 6 to 5 at Nottingham.

In which case it does it to allow for traincrew route knowledge retention over that route as a diversion. The Intercity ECS services often run via odd routes.

 

[Teapot42]

I've actually drilled into it and I was wrong - it is in fact booked via Stenson Junction and Castle Donington and the amendment is just a change of platform from 6 to 5 at Nottingham.

In which case it does it to allow for traincrew route knowledge retention over that route as a diversion. The Intercity ECS services often run via odd routes.

So that would be if the line through Long Eaton was closed for whatever reason?

Would a train in service actually be allowed to reverse at a junction, or would they have to carry on to the nearest station? (Stenson Junction)

Looks like it occasionally goes the Long Eaton way - last Tuesday was another example according to RTT - but normally it does run the booked route.

 

[LowLevel]

So that would be if the line through Long Eaton was closed for whatever reason?

Would a train in service actually be allowed to reverse at a junction, or would they have to carry on to the nearest station? (Stenson Junction)

Looks like it occasionally goes the Long Eaton way - last Tuesday was another example according to RTT - but normally it does run the booked route.

There's a permitted method of work to allow trains to reverse at both Stenson and Ilkeston junctions in the area including service trains, to allow them to use diversions.

 

[zwk500]

So that would be if the line through Long Eaton was closed for whatever reason?

Correct.

Would a train in service actually be allowed to reverse at a junction, or would they have to carry on to the nearest station? (Stenson Junction)

Yes. Passenger trains can depart from Shunt/position-light signals if authority is published or the signaller instructs them to do so.

 

[liamf656]

5B07 is booked via Stenson to retain roure knowledge for traincrew, and stops on Derby platform to pick up staff

Similarly, 5F07 runs Derby to Leicester via Chesterfield and the Erewash, I believe for the same reason

 

[Spartacus]

In reality it was never as late as 53 minutes either, it's Way & Works Jn time as after the second Derby time, it's picked it up after it's departed Derby towards Spondon rather than when entering Derby. That's probably partly due to which line it's used departing Etches Park.