Strange Freight Route Through North London?

[Elybob]

Realtime Trains | 6M99 0103 Ketton Ward Sdg Gbrf to Churchyard Castle Cement G | 08/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 6M99 0103 departure from Ketton Ward Sdg Gbrf to Churchyard Castle Cement G on 08/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Why did this service take such an indirect route from Finsbury Park to get to Kentish Town? It travelled all the way east to Stratford and then back west over the GOBLIN to Cricklewood, then finally back to Kentish Town

Cheers

 

[66701GBRF]

Which way would it normally go?

 

[trainmania100]

Guessing OP is wondering why it didn't go Harringay - Crouch Hill - Upper Holloway, via the single line which looks from Google maps, quicker.

 

[wnr1990]

Guessing OP is wondering why it didn't go Harringay - Crouch Hill - Upper Holloway, via the single line which looks from Google maps, quicker.

That's correct, sorry if it's not clear.

EDIT: I just realized I have two different accounts on my browser and phone for some reason (I am the OP) - i'll have to get that sorted out

 

[66701GBRF]

Guessing OP is wondering why it didn't go Harringay - Crouch Hill - Upper Holloway, via the single line which looks from Google maps, quicker.

If your talking about the single line from Hornsey to Crouch Hill then it doesn't look like it is accessible from the US or UF.

 

[30907]

That's correct, sorry if it's not clear.

The single line is on the down side of the ECML and AFAIK impossible to access from the Up - is there even a signalled move (OTT says not, but that's not gospel)?

 

[Class15]

Can’t use the Harringay Curve as it can’t be accessed from the ECML but surely via the Camden Road curve would be quicker?

 

[trainmania100]

Ok I thought via ferme park and then the crossover at crouch hill it was doable both ways. My mistake.

 

[Class 170101]

The single line is on the down side of the ECML and AFAIK impossible to access from the Up - is there even a signalled move (OTT says not, but that's not gospel)?

It would require a double run round or be in top and tail formation as it would need to shunt over Hornsey Flyover as per what Hull Trains once did before deciding to run all the way up the MML to reach St Pancras instead.

Can’t use the Harringay Curve as it can’t be accessed from the ECML

See above

but surely via the Camden Road curve would be quicker?

Only if it then went via Camden Road, Willesden Jn High Level, West London Line, Clapham Jn, Old / New Kew Jns, Bollo Lane, Acton Wells Jn, Dudding Hill Lines, then MML.