What is 6L96 Didcot - Dereham?

[Intercity_225]

Hello! Recently, I've been seeing this freight path never run and have no idea what it's for..

Realtime Trains | 6L96 0906 Didcot T.C. to Dereham U.K.F. | 08/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 6L96 0906 departure from Didcot T.C. to Dereham U.K.F. on 08/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

So my questions are:
1) What's it for?
2) Has it ever ran?
3) Why does it take an hour from Wymondham to Dereham?

Thanks in advance

 

[The Planner]

Hello! Recently, I've been seeing this freight path never run and have no idea what it's for..

Realtime Trains | 6L96 0906 Didcot T.C. to Dereham U.K.F. | 08/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 6L96 0906 departure from Didcot T.C. to Dereham U.K.F. on 08/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

So my questions are:
1) What's it for?
2) Has it ever ran?
3) Why does it take an hour from Wymondham to Dereham?

Thanks in advance

Maybe a WTT path to get locos between the two preserved railways?

 

[jfollows]

There is some discussion in https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/rail-freight-flows-and-news-uk.195217/page-34

Post #1,016 onwards.

 

[Adrian Barr]

6L96 is part of the network of "Q paths" (runs as required) for the MoD.

Didcot used to be the hub of the MoD network in EWS / DB days. Most of the paths to the various locations associated with MoD services are now set up from Bicester or Kineton, now that GBRF have the contract. For example there are paths to/from Shoeburyness, Haverfordwest, Donnington, Warminster: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...25-09-04/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

I doubt 6L96 has ever run on that schedule, but a 6Z80 from Ludgershall did visit Dereham in 2020.

It's seen at Manea behind 66778 with a consist of army vehicles: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpb2011/49617360566/ (Photo: Robert Brooks)

And at Wymondham: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kl47576/49616739193/ (Photo: kingslynn47576)

Apparently 47367 coupled to the other end for the journey down the branch! An hour for 12 miles is generous, but I doubt it would be permitted to exceed 25mph on a preserved railway. The reason for the working is explained here: https://www.therailwayhub.co.uk/107...id-norfolk-railway-for-first-time-since-2009/

...sixteen wheeled, armoured vehicles, including Jackals and Panthers, transported along the line for the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.
The vehicles had been used by the soldiers of the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards during the last month, while testing their skills during Exercise Wessex Storm on Salisbury Plain.
The soldiers from Robertson Barracks could then refresh their skills loading and unloading their vehicles from the rail wagons. The vehicles then just had the short distance to drive to Robertson Barracks, Swanton Morley.

Sadly, the warwell / warflat fleet used for these moves has now been scrapped (with a handful preserved), as discussed recently in the wagon thread.

More on the sites associated with MoD rail movements in this post for anyone interested: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/surviving-uk-industrial-railway-systems.279481/post-7203207