Ghost Train

[Deepgreen]

I can see the North Downs line from my house near Betchworth. An engineering vehicle carrying very bright floodlights has just passed heading towards Dorking from Redhill. Having checked RTT, there is no reference to the working at Betchworth or Dorking Deepdene. I looked at the 'WTT order' and 'Actual order' options. Under what circumstances do such workings run without being recorded on RTT?

 

[ComUtoR]

Was it ghosting ? Maybe it was running as a Zulu.

 

[The Planner]

Does RTT capture VSTP workings put in by control?

 

[221129]

Does RTT capture VSTP workings put in by control?

I think it is about 50/50.. some do some don't.

 

[DarloRich]

here is me thinking this was about the Specials

 

[Tom]

Does RTT capture VSTP workings put in by control?

Yes. It was this service: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O72523/2016/02/22/advanced

VSTP services, as they are not validated, do not have additional locations padded in by RTT and are instead only shown at the locations given to RTT in the schedule.

 

[ComUtoR]

Tom. Does it show Zulu trains, trains running for ghosting purposes, fleet moves, trains going to assist and the numerous last minute trains that are not booked ?

 

[Deepgreen]

Yes. It was this service: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O72523/2016/02/22/advanced

VSTP services, as they are not validated, do not have additional locations padded in by RTT and are instead only shown at the locations given to RTT in the schedule.

Thanks for this - the lack of intermediate reporting points makes sense. The funny thing was that it looked like a 'ghost' train from my viewpoint - a mass of white light drifting through the trees!

 

[Tom]

Tom. Does it show Zulu trains, trains running for ghosting purposes, fleet moves, trains going to assist and the numerous last minute trains that are not booked ?

If they are entered in the system as a schedule, yes. Most do appear but might be a short time after the departure of the service - it's entirely down to whether NR have placed it in the system on that one.

I have been looking at attempting to track services that do not have a schedule and I am getting somewhere with it, but it's a long way off and will likely be part of the next major RTT revamp.

 

[ComUtoR]

Cheers for the reply.

 

[theironroad]

If it's load of lights, then probably either a train measurement train, which should be planned I would have thought or probably an OTM working in a possession which I don't think will show up on RTT.

 

[NigelS&T]

Tamping?

 

[theironroad]

Tamping?

I'm guessing something like that is the most obvious explanation.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The MPVs doing leafbusting and de-icing runs in autumn and winter will often have all their floodlights on. Seen enough of them at the bottom of my garden!

 

[theironroad]

The MPVs doing leafbusting and de-icing runs in autumn and winter will often have all their floodlights on. Seen enough of them at the bottom of my garden!

Could be an mpv, but usually they are listed in rtt, often as a class 8 service.

 

[tsr]

In the area specified, most RHTT workings usually report as 3W/3Sxx (other Class 3 variants available) with only a few Class 8s here and there. Looking at this being a Class 6 and the route taken, I strongly suspect this was one of the frequent but often irregular moves of an on-track machine / tamper / stoneblower etc. Just unlucky about the lack of the usual timings inserted by RTT, for the reasons above.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Zulu trains?

Never heard of that one before

 

[ComUtoR]

It's a reference to a headcode. When you have unbooked moves or special workings they use a Z in the headcode. eg. 1Z99 Our ghost trains sometimes use a Zulu. Hence me thinking it was an actual ghost train.

 

[Deepgreen]

It's a reference to a headcode. When you have unbooked moves or special workings they use a Z in the headcode. eg. 1Z99 Our ghost trains sometimes use a Zulu. Hence me thinking it was an actual ghost train.

My "Ghost" reference was purely owing to the actual rather ethereal appearance of the train through the trees from my house and my inability initially to find it on RTT.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I opened the topic thinking that it was about the book and play by Arthur Ridley (later Private Godfrey in Dad's Army)!

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I opened the topic thinking that it was about the book and play by Arthur Ridley (later Private Godfrey in Dad's Army)!

Or the ECS into NVM

 

[Deepgreen]

I opened the topic thinking that it was about the book and play by Arthur Ridley (later Private Godfrey in Dad's Army)!

Arnold Ridley, I think. Perhaps you are combining Arthur Lowe (Mainwaring) with Godfrey?

 

[mirodo]

Stupid boy!

 

[michael74]

Don't tell him your name Deepgreen....

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Zulu trains?

Never heard of that one before

They sent out to warrior, especially on a foggy & icy nights.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

They sent out to warrior, especially on a foggy & icy nights.

Yes, I must admit, I had visions of Rorke's Drift coming to the good burghers of Betchworth

 

[Deepgreen]

Yes, I must admit, I had visions of Rorke's Drift coming to the good burghers of Betchworth

Well, we have some nice big fields with a range of hills as a backdrop!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Well, we have some nice big fields with a range of hills as a backdrop!

I have a vision of someone peering over a hedge around their garden at the railway, turning to their neighbour next door and saying: "MPVs, mate - thousands of them!"

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I have a vision of someone peering over a hedge around their garden at the railway, turning to their neighbour next door and saying: "MPVs, mate - thousands of them!"

One ganger looks at another

"No, you couldn't be more wrong! They're saluting you. They're saluting fellow track workers!"

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Arnold Ridley, I think. Perhaps you are combining Arthur Lowe (Mainwaring) with Godfrey?

And there I was, thinking that I would be so clever .... doh!!

Get's coat and leaves, all the while muttering under breath!