Subject of train ID was argued at length during the planning for this move on Monday afternoon
Wherever you look there’s precedent for use of 5Q**, 5X**, 5Z**, 8***
Different areas want the train highlighted in different ways
A recent skate move in Devon was made a 5Q** at the insistence of the signallers in Exeter, only for there to then be issues when it crossed to another signalling area as a 5Q** without an accompanying special trains notice for running as a 5Q** - so train got stopped and more arguments needed to happen before it could carry on.
A few more years ago a similarly low speed (not skate) move was made from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Old Oak Common HEx depot - originally bid (by yours truly) as a 5Z** with written special trains notice accompanying; only for the signallers there to insist on it running as a Class 8 to highlight low speed move
There isn’t a reserved train ID for skate move or slow speed movement; so it ends up just at the whims of the arranging parties to pluck 4 characters from the air and ensure everyone reaches a clear understanding.
To a lay person reading externally they may be “confused” into it being a slow speed freight train; but in this instance all parties involved were well aware of what the train was; what restrictions it had. The only confusion came through the late decision to crack on to Reading; and a link in the communication chain was missed in that haste. But once that was highlighted further communication took place and the train successfully and safely reached Reading for repairs with very little disruption to the train service.
