| Table | Line of interest | Observation from timetable |
| 1 | Forest Gate - Barking line | Some weekend LTS line trains to/from Liverpool Street to serve Stratford shopping centres. Also common diversion, as is diversion away from this route. |
| 3 | Barking Bay Barking P1 - Barking Station Jn. | The bay is now rare with the extension of Gospel Oak services to Barking Riverside. Still used when LTS lines are closed due to engineering work |
| 3 | Gospel Oak chord | 2324 SUN Barking Riverside - Willesden |
| 3 | Kensal Rise chord | Trains at Willesden Jn low level (P1 or P2) to/from Stratford, show extended times to/from Kensal Green.
Usually at end or start of service, eg 0551 Willesden Jn - Stratford, 2324 SUN Barking Riverside - Willesden. Has seen planned and unplanned diversions in 2025 so may recur. |
| 3 | Primrose Hill | No current use but occasional diversions when Gospel Oak route closed, with a Stratford - Willesden LL service, or occasionally through to Watford DC |
| 3 | Stratford main to North London connection | A small number of North London line trains use platforms at the main station. Check on
RTT for platform use or the list on PSUL. Also see entry for table 14.
eg 1500 Stratford - Richmond and 1449 arrival |
| 5, 6 | Ilford up flyover avoider |
No current use but look for main line trains being overtaken or using P5 at Stratford. None in current timetable, most likely morning end-of-peak trains and before evening peak. Track inspections in the area, currently on Mondays, force a small area of two track running for an hour or two. Also fairly common with two track working on Sundays |
| 5, 6 | Ilford down flyover avoider |
No current use but look for main line trains being overtaken. Very unusual but track inspections in the area, currently on Wednesdays
, force a small area of two track running for an hour or two. Rare with two track working on Sundays, |
| 6 | Manningtree North Curve. | Remnant 'legal' service dating from Harwich - north boat trains Obvious in table 6 as an out of pattern train with times at both Harwich and Ipswich and in footnotes. One each way, morning and evening eg 0745 M-F 2138 SAT from Harwich PQ. |
| 7 | Sudbury branch connection at Marks Tey | SAT and SUN the first trains on the Sudbury branch are through from Colchester All days the last trains on the Sudbury branch are through to Colchester |
| 9 | Sheringham level crossing | Has seen dining trains and occasional through charters. |
| 10 FRI SAT MON |
Reedham - Yarmouth | Norwich - Yarmouth additional summer trains operate via Reedham, in addition to the limited / SUN service calling Berney Arms |
| 14 | Route Stratford Centre Jn E to Stratford P11 & 12 for Tottenham Hale | A small number of through trains complete the route Stratford Centre Jn E to/from Stansted/Hertford, usually at beginning or end of service, eg 0552 Liverpool St - Hertford East Relatively common Sunday diversion sending Stansted / Cambridge trains via Stratford. Also see entry for table 3. |
| 17 | London - Seven Sisters via South Tottenham curves | No services in current timetable. GA, but not LO, have an ECS pair for route retention. |
| 15 | Hitchin flat crossing, not flyover | A small number of down trains use the flat crossing in the early morning, eg 0453 Kings Cross - Kings Lynn. Check OTT/RTT, trains not via the flyover do not have line DCF noted at Hitchin. |
| 16 | Use of down slow no.2 line Finsbury Park - Alexandra Palace. | Peak hour trains from Moorgate not calling Harringey. Check OTT or RTT for trains showing as 'line SL2', eg 1634 Moorgate - Welwyn GC |
| 16 | Use of up slow no.2 line Alexandra Palace - Finsbury Park. | Peak hour trains to Moorgate not calling Harringey. Check OTT or RTT for trains at Finsbury Park in the peak, trains show as line SL2, eg 1659 Alex Palace - Moorgate |
| 16 | Hertford loop up slow | Most Hertford loop local trains turn in Stevenage P5 using the diveunder. However some that start ECS from Letchworth, and also any diverted ECML main line services, will use the spur.
Check platforms at Stevenage for trains calling later at Hertford North, eg 0602 Stevenage - Moorgate. |
| 20 | Doncaster south approaches: spur line and Loversall Carr down direction | Noted as trains being overtaken, or with a fast train close behind. e.g. 0943 London - York
Search RTT for location Doncaster Decoy South Jn and check trains from Kings Cross Liable to rely on exact running on the day. |
| 20 | Doncaster south approaches: Loversall Carr line and flyover up direction | A small number of Leeds -> London trains use Doncaster platform 4 or 8, to avoid flat crossing north of Doncaster 0500 MON-SAT Leeds - London uses P4 Alternatively search RTT for location Doncaster Decoy South Jn and check trains to Kings Cross |
| 20, 31 | Shaftholme - Askern - Knottingley | GC London - Bradford trains calling Pontefract Monkhill. Alternative route for Doncaster - Leeds / York trains late at night listed below. Search RTT for trains timed at Knottingley south Jn The GC London - Bradford trains not via Pontefract Monkhill, eg 1948 London - Bradford, are via Hare Park - Crofton East Jn, see table 28,31. |
| 20 | (Askern - Knottingley) - Church Fenton | Can be used by late evening Doncaster - York trains, although none have this as the 'normal' route Usually also runs as a diversion few weekends a year Search RTT for trains timed at Knottingley south Jn |
| 20, 21 | Old east coast main line Temple Hirst Jn - Selby | London - Hull trains are usually via Selby so use this route. Local services are normally via Goole. |
| 20 | Hambleton South - West Jns | Any Leeds - London trains not calling Wakefield, and these will usually be via this route. Search RTT for trains timed at Leeds and Temple Hirst Jn No service in current timetable Usually also runs as a diversion few weekends per year |
| 20 | York avoiding lines | Most 'Lumo' services to Edinburgh which do not call York. However Lumo run via the station southbound
Search RTT for location York Yard South
Some use in 2025 by diverted ScotRail sleepers, and in both directions, presumably due to overnight work in the main station. |
| 21, 50 | Sheffield area Tinsley route | Normally trains not calling Rotherham Central use the main line via Masborough station site, exceptions are a few for route knowledge purposes late at night. 0320 Sheffield - Manchester (then via Huddersfield) 1727 Plymouth - 2228 Sheffield - Leeds 2126 Cleethorpes - Sheffield 2119 Liverpool - Doncaster Search RTT for location Broughton Lane Jn Route is also occasionally used as a diversion, see below |
| 50 | North end of Sheffield blocked, XC diverting Tinsley and Beighton | MON2 - FRI6 Feb XC services avoiding Sheffield Example train |
| 21 | Trains via Thrybergh Jn not Swinton | No delay apparent in the public timetable, but a small number of trains (13) are run via Thrybergh Jn (not Swinton) for route knowledge purposes. Unusually they are
not all in the middle of the night, eg 1700 Scarborough - 1920 Doncaster - Sheffield and 1543 Reading - 1830 Sheffield - York
Search RTT for location Thrybergh Jn |
| 22 | Sherburn Jn - Gascoigne Wood Jn or Hambleton North | Selby - York trains calling Sherburn in Elmet must run via Sherburn Jn - Gascoigne Wood Jn Any not calling Sherburn in Elmet are normally via Hambleton North and ECML, eg 1445 York - Bridlington, 1256 Bridlington - York (the only northbound) Due to conflicts, more run south than north Check route points on RTT, eg Hambleton North Jn and Selby. |
| 26 | Gainsborough - Barnetby | One train each way MON-FRI |
| 26 M-S | Connecting line to Retford HL station from Sheffield | Slight extended timing, usually on first / last trains, and use of Retford platform 2 2139 Sheffield - Retford |
| 27 | Altofts curve | Fast services, not calling Castleford between Leeds and Wakefield Kirkgate, are the main users of this route |
| 28, 31 | Hare Park - Crofton West Jn - Calder Bridge Jn (for Wakefield) |
GC London - Bradford services will normally use this route if not calling Pontefract Monkhill. 1948 London - Bradford Used by a late night Sheffield - Leeds which unusually does not call Sandal & Aggbrigg. 2315 MON - THU Sheffield - Leeds Currently no XC or EC planned via this route 2331 Manchester Airport - Sheffield (via Huddersfield) 0320 Sheffield - Manchester (via Huddersfield) |
| 28 | Hare Park - Wakefield Calder Bridge Jn - Turners Lane Jn (for Leeds via Altofts) | Used by a few late night Sheffield - Leeds local trains that unusually do not call Fitzwilliam - Leeds.
2315 FRI Sheffield - Leeds Currently no XC / EC this route but check 2333 London - Leeds by date. |
| 30 | Moorthorpe - Pontefract Baghill - Sherburn S Jn | Table 30 local trains, 3 each way M-S. Most of the trains shown on this table are via Leeds or Doncaster Search RTT for locationMilford Jn Also used for planned work diverting XC services Sheffield - Leeds not calling Doncaster or Sheffield |
| 31 SUN | Leeds Whitehall curve | 0804 SUN Bradford - London is often diverted and uses part of this route. All GC Halifax - London on 22 and 23 December |
| 32 | Knottingley - Goole | Limited service, 3 trains M-S |
| 39 | Milford Jn - Gascoigne Wood jn | Route knowledge trains Leeds - Hull eg 2101 Hull - Leeds Search RTT for locationMilford Jn and trains to/from Hull |
| 39 M-F |
Huddersfield - Wakefield Kirkgate - Altofts - Leeds | Night Manchester - Leeds trains taking ~35 minutes Huddersfield - Leeds.
A likely weekend diversion, search for Manchester trains at Altofts Jn |
| 39 | Castleford - York | Hourly York - Huddersfield avoiding Leeds all days Alternative route for Leeds - York trains taking ~50 minutes Search for trains at Milford Jn |
| 39 | Castleford - York | 5 - 23 Jan All Leeds - York trains |
| 40 | Northallerton low level: Northallerton East - Boroughbridge Road - Longlands Jns | Used by a few services, notable for not calling Northallerton SUN 1252 Liverpool - Redcar, 1600 Redcar - Liverpool SUN 8 / 15 / 22 / 29 March all York - north services. Search RTT for location Boroughbridge Road LC |
| 40 | Northallerton low level: Northallerton East - Boroughbridge Road - Longlands Jns | SUN 8 / 15 / 22 / 29 March all York - north services. |
| 41 | Stockton Cut Jn - Hartburn Jn. | Trains not calling Middlesbrough. Used by GC services London - Sunderland and also the local services Hartlepool - Darlington on SUN Also T20 diversions via Sunderland, SAT SUN in March |
| 20, 40, 42 | Trains via Gateshead (HLB South Jn - Greensfield - KEB East - KEB south jns) | Workings from the south/west into Newcastle via High level Bridge, most obvious being those into platform 1 or delayed. Also used to turn ECML train sets. eg 0554 Carlisle - Newcastle into P1 to form a Morpeth service Search RTT for location via Gateshead |
| 41 | Trains via Gateshead (Park Lane - Greensfield - KEB East - KEB north jns) | Sunderland - Newcastle via King Edward Bridge
eg 1945 Newcastle - Middlesbrough Search RTT for location via Gateshead Also ECML diversions via Sunderland, SAT SUN in March |
| 41 | NYMR Grosmont connection | Used by NYMR through Pickering - Whitby trains which are no longer shown in the NR timetable. NYMR timetables |
| 52 | Bedford - Wellingborough vis Wymington tunnel | No current use. Look for any trains overtaken near Wellingborough, or those that use Wellingborough P3/P4 and show slow lines throughout. Route also used for diversions and late at night. The most common diversion use is when the EMU service to Corby turns back at Wellingborough |
| 52 | Corby - Manton Jn | Used by the direct London - Melton Mowbray train pair, M-F 0815 Melton Mowbray - London, 1835 London - Melton Mowbray Used for late night and weekend diversions 'not calling Market Harborough'. |
| 52, 53 | Trains via Toton yard | Several diversionary routes can be via Toton
|
| 52, 53 | Chesterfield - Barrow Hill - Beighton | Trains between Sheffield and Chesterfield with delays, 20 vs 15 minutes. Common early/late day diversion and for route knowledge. Examples:
Hull trains services diverted to London St Pancras when Kings Cross is closed Search RTT for location Barrow Hill Jn |
| 50 | North end of Sheffield blocked, XC diverting Tinsley and Beighton | MON2 - FRI6 Feb XC services avoiding Sheffield Example train |
| 54 | Use Ely West Curve | 1556 SUN Norwich - Peterborough - Manchester not calling Ely. |
| 54 | Syston North curve. | 0456/0500 SAT and 0607/0608 SAT Nottingham - Norwich via Melton Mowbray not Grantham
Occasional weekend diversion if ECML is closed Peterborough - Grantham |
| 55 | Pye Bridge line | Previous booked use is now an ECS Late or weekend Mansfield - Nottingham may be diverted via Pye Bridge not calling Hucknall. |
| 50, 56 | Lichfield - Alrewas - Burton | Trains between Birmingham and Derby with delays ~20 minutes, a common weekend diversion. 0807 SUN Leeds - Plymouth, some dates only. Search RTT for location Alrewas |
| 56 | Kingsbury - Whitacre Jns. | Trains between Birmingham and Derby with delays or overtaken are candidates to use this route, or may happen to correct out of course running. Search RTT for location Whitacre for trains calling Derby. Operation has been unreliable,
|
| 58 | Allington W - N line. | Some Nottingham - Skegness trains omit Grantham, eg 1003 Nottingham - Skegness Also any additional holiday trains, and also used if East Coast main line is closed at Grantham |
| 59 M-F | Werrington diveunder | Most passenger services still use flat route and bidirectional up slow line to lower numbered platforms at Peterborough.
1046, 1446, 1646 M-F Peterborough - Lincoln and inward usually via diveunder, note use of P5 or P7. Search RTT for Peterborough departures subsequently calling Spalding and & v.v. observing platforming. May be used for ECML diversions via Spalding depending on availability of the ECML route, most likely northwards |
| 59 M-F | Sleaford avoider | 2311 Peterborough - Lincoln not calling Sleaford as the Sleaford manual signalbox has shut for the night Also used for ECML diversions Peterborough - Doncaster |
| 59 M-S | Direct between Gainsborough & Doncaster | 5 trains a day as shown as this table, which does not show the trains via Sheffield Note all trains are to Doncaster west side. Also used for ECML diversions Peterborough or Newark - Doncaster. |
| 59 | Doncaster south approaches: east slow and Black Carr - Bessacarr | Check platform at Doncaster for Lincoln trains.
Most trains now east side, exceptions are M-F 1934 Lincoln - Donczaster and 2052 Doncaster - Lincoln routed flyover and West Line (WSL) Used by southbound East Coast trains diverting via Lincoln |
| 50, 115 | Small Heath Jn - Bordesley Jn - St Andrews Jn - Grand Jnc | XC services that do not call at Coventry, the few Newcastle - xx33 Birmingham - Reading and xx46 returns Checks XC operator trains found at location Small Heath South. |
| 62 | Watford connection to St Albans branch | 1518 Euston - St Albans runs through |
| 65 | Carlisle area 1 to 14 Jan | Work south of Carlisle on the M6 bridge has additional trains Preston - Carlisle via Settle approx every 2 hours Use of Clitheroe - Hellifield, with sleepers ECML |
| 68 | Aston - Stechford | XC route knowledge trains no longer run in service, covered by ECS. Occasional diversion route when Rugby - Stafford closed fully |
| 68 | Birmingham - Wolverhampton via Aston, Perry Barr | Delay to around 35 minutes Checks for location Perry Barr West and operator XC or VT will show up most services of interest Possible diversion for the Euston - Wolverhampton trains between 0030 and 0500. |
| 50, 68 | Birmingham - Wolverhampton via Aston, Darlaston | Delay to around 30 minutes, likely overtaken 0757, 0857 Birmingham - Liverpool Checks for location Darlaston Jn will show up most services of interest Common for the Euston - Wolverhampton trains between 0030 and 0500. |
| 50, 68, 69 | Birmingham - Wolverhampton via Perry Barr, Darlaston | Minor delay Most Birmingham - Shrewsbury services are now via this route to call Tame Bridge Checks for location of Darlaston Jn will show up services of interest |
| 68, 69 | Birmingham - Bescot via Perry Barr | Most fast trains Birmingham New Street - Tame Bridge, mainly for Rugeley and Shrewsbury Can see use by longer distance services |
| 65, 68 | Portobello - Bushbury Jn | Avoiding Wolverhampton. Late / overnight diversions eg sleepers, but mainly during weekend WCML diversions via Bescot No trains are planned to not stop Wolverhampton |
| 73 | Hatton North curve | Stratford on Avon via Dorridge and reverse services, most daytime hours eg 1208 Stratford - Worcester |
| 50, 70, 132 | Birmingham Camp Hill Line | No time penalty occurs so these are not detectable in public times, but a fairly high proportion of Bristol - Manchester services run via Camp Hill.
eg 1400 Bristol - Manchester, 0803 Manchester - Paignton. Few more local services barring late night route retention such as 2041 Hereford - Birmingham Search RTT for location Lifford East Jn |
| 50, 74, 132 | Galton - Smethwick Jns and via Kidderminster | One Birmingham - Worcester / Cheltenham train via Kidderminster, for route knowledge or legal reasons
Check for trains with times at both Birmingham New St and Kidderminster on RTT Trains taking 1 hour Cheltenham - Birmingham or not calling Bromsgrove are candidates, but not guaranteed as a similar public timings may be given for the few trains non-stop via Worcester and Bromsgrove. Both routes are unreliable due to late night engineering work. Check schedules near the intended date of travel on OTT/RTT |
| 65, 76 | Stafford - Crewe down slow line, part of the Norton Bridge junction | Check for trains times at Searchlight Lane and ignore those via Stoke, so mainly look for Liverpool services |
| 65, 76 | Stoke - Stafford up fast line, original part of the Norton Bridge junction | No easy search, use PSUL |
| 77 | Warrington Bank Quay - Acton Grange Jn via low level line | Around half of the services Chester - Warrington run via the low level lines due to conflicting with Crewe - Warrington main line trains. Many of the Chester - Leeds services, eg 1126 SAT Chester - Leeds Check RTT for Walton Old Jn. As this can depend on the timekeeping of both services the use of this line is unpredictable, although at Warrington the set route can at least be discerned from the signalling. |
| 77 | Ellesmere Port - Helsby | Trains calling Ince & Elton. Note that only the train to Liverpool will run past Helsby through the junction
|
| 81 | Wrexham connecting line | First / last trains onto the Bidston branch use this connection from Wrexham P3 |
| 84 | Golborne Jn - Lowton Jn - Newton le Willows Jn | A small number of Wigan - Liverpool trains call at or are via Newton le Willows, identifiable by the lack of a stop at St Helens and footnote.
Check RTT for Newton le Willows and Wigan and the reverse
|
| 85 | Earlestown west curve | 1906 MON-SAT Ellesmere Port - Liverpool Can see use by diverted London - Liverpool trains |
| 93 | Heald Green direct line | Manchester - Crewe trains not calling Stockport or Manchester Airport. 0511 Manchester - Bournemouth, 0603 Manchester - Euston.
Late evening trains are unreliable and are frequently diverted via Stockport. Conversley, the 2203 Euston - Manchester is often diverted via Styal. |
| 97 | Dinting triangle avoiding Glossop | Manchester -> Hadfield -> Glossop - Manchester (no reverse). 0532 M-S, 0929 SUN Manchester - Hadfield, 2329 MON - SAT Manchester - Hadfield |
| 97 SAT | Stockport - Guide Bridge | Stockport - Stalybridge, once-a-week closure avoidance trains. 0830 SAT Stalybridge - Stockport 0904 SAT Stockport - Stalybridge |
| 85, 101 | Golborne Jn - Parkside Jn | A small number of Wigan - Manchester trains call Eccles, noted in footnotes.
eg 1613 M-F Manchester Vic - Wigan NW. Also a common weekend diversion |
| 101 | Connections to Wigan NW from Wallgate line | Check for trains at Salford Crescent / Hindley and Wigan NW eg 0749 Wigan - Leeds, 1720 Manchester - Wigan Also common diversion for Southport services. |
| 103 SAT |
Hellifield - Clitheroe | A couple of 'day trip' trains through to Ribblehead easily seen in the printed timetable. |
| 65, 103 | Hellifield - Clitheroe | Additional Preston - Carlisle during engineering, 1 - 14 Jan |
| 106 | Heysham branch | As easily seen in printed timetable, these also use Bare Lane - Morecambe Platform 2 |
| 106 | Hest Bank curve. | Lancaster - Carnforth - Morecambe trains, minimal legal service. 0519 MON - SAT Lancaster - 0533 Carnforth - Morecambe |
| 113 | Northolt Jn | Trains from Marylebone calling South Ruislip use the underpass (line SL), mainly those to Gerrards Cross. Fast London - High Wycombe use the relatively recent flat junction (line FL) |
| 50, 120, 122 | Reading West underpass line (DFR) | Trains between high number platforms 12-15 and Basingstoke / Newbury line Mainly at start / end of service, search for Reading - Reading West and check suitable platform numbers, eg 0913 Reading - Newbury, 1947 Salisbury - Reading |
| 50, 120, 122 | Reading West underpass line (UFM) | Trains between mid number platforms 10, 11 and 12 and Basingstoke / Newbury line The common route, check trains with suitable platform numbers, eg 1806 Reading - Newbury, 1125 Manchester 1452 Reading - Bournemouth, 1845 Bournemouth - Manchester |
| 123 | Reading Festival line (FVL) | Trains between low number platforms 3, 7, 8 and relief line to Didcot, line code FVL Mostly XC services, search for Reading to Oxford and check trains with suitable platform numbers, eg 0945 Bournemouth - Manchester |
| 125 SAT | Didcot Foxhall Jn | Limited Oxford - Bristol service. See 1203 SAT Oxford - Bristol Previous XC route knowledge trains are ECS now. Also sees occasional diversions with relief line blocks through/east of Didcot |
| 125 | Westbury Hawkeridge curve | No service. However a fairly common diversion for Bristol / Cardiff services when the Swindon route is closed, late night or weekends. Also sees use by Swindon - Bristol - Weymouth when the station area is blocked, reversing Hawkeridge and via Westbury avoider. |
| 126 | Leckwith connection west of Cardiff | Delays to Cardiff - Bridgend trains, can be unreliable except those trains with booked calls at Ninian Park Check for trains at both Ninian Park and Bridgend.
|
| 126 | Margam OVE line | 0346 Swansea - London has added time and on RTT / OTT shows line OVE at Margam, however may be diverted to standard route.
|
| 126 | Trains not calling Swansea | In practice trains may use either Swansea District (SD) or Landore curve (LC).
or AW trains at Jersey Marine Jn. |
| 126 | 26-31 Jan Swansea - Llanelli bus | Several Cardiff - Carmarthen services via Swansea District line
Check for trains at AW trains at Jersey Marine Jn. |
| 126 | Carmarthen avoiding line | No trains since Dec 2024 |
| 133 | Dr Days curve avoiding Bristol | 0704 Bath - Filton Abbey Wood, route also often used for weekend or weeknight diversions |
| 134 | Taunton - Bishop Lydeard | Occasional through tours possible, or partial use at events |
| 141 | Coombe Junction - platform | Only trains calling Coombe, and probably only when passengers are present, run to Coombe platform. Otherwise reverse short at Coombe Jn |
| 50, 150 | Reading Spur Junction | Used by trains to/from Guildford using main line platforms (7-10) at Reading None planned, but use may arise when XC services are diverted via Guildford when the line to Basingstoke is shut Check the platforms for trains to/from Guildford or directly for location Reading New Junction |
| 150 | Reading Southern Junction | Used by trains to/from Guildford using relief line platforms (11-15) at Reading, mainly local trains to/from carriage
sidings while during the day most trains use the 'Southern' platforms (4-6) as used by Waterloo trains. 0432, 0500, 0532, 0555, 0627 from Reading 2134, 2233, 2247, 2321, 0017 arrivals at Reading Use also may arise when XC services are diverted via Guildford when the line to Basingstoke is shut Check the platform used at Reading for trains Reading - Guildford. |
| 151 | Addlestone - Byfleet |
|
| 153A M-F |
Yeovil Pen Mill - Junction | This route has its' own timetable. 1338 Yeovil Jn - Waterloo via Castle Cary Also used for diversions when Salisbury - Yeovil is closed. |
| 161 | Point Pleasant Jn - East Putney LUL - Wimbledon main line | Trains will have a delay but this is not conclusive. Planned use is by the 0454 Basingstoke - Waterloo and 2312 Waterloo - Basingstoke. The late night trains especially are often revised and run main line. Equally to
allow the short route without waiting time, the public times can be 'normal'. Trains with specifically altered schedules may be a safer bet In some weeks a few other late/early services may be diverted, check on Journeyplanners for platform at Clapham Jn or on RTT for SW trains at East Putney Weekend diversion are rare but known seen in this 2004 photo |
| 161 M-F |
Fulwell curve Strawberry Hill | The small number of peak hour trains show up in the pdf timetable as Shepperton - Twickenham services, eg 1743 Waterloo - Shepperton Also used for diversions when Kingston (incl) - Wimbledon is closed, but if Kingston can be reached trains will usually reverse there. |
| 155, 178 | Portsmouth & Southsea low level platforms 3/4/5 | Services starting / terminating at Portsmouth & Southsea, approx 1 per hour each route. Check platform numbers in RTT / OTT |
| 50, 158 | Laverstock curve | No service. Used for XC services Basingstoke - Southampton when the route via Winchester is blocked, weekend or late night. |
| 162 | Streatham reversible (fast) spur | No longer used by WTT services. Trains will show on journey planners as using
Clapham Jn P12/13 (fast lines) not P14/15 (slow lines) and the schedule has 'RVL' - 'FL' line codes. Use forced by engineering work closing the slow lines, or diversions via Dorking from the Gatwick route |
| 163 | Leigham Spur Streatham Hill - Tulse Hill |
1720 Streatham Hill - London Bridge |
| 167 | Factory Jn - Battersea Park | Shown by South London 'Overground' trains at Battersea Park eg 0719 SAT Dalston - Battersea. Can also see use due to engineering work. |
| 168, 3 | Falcon Jn - Clapham Jn Pl 16/17 (Victoria side) - Latchmere Jn. | Even if not through from East Croydon etc, Southern services use this route. The Clapham Jn - Stratford via Willesden trains, operator [LO] normally run from the Staines lines side of Clapham Junction (Plat 1) but can be diverted. |
| 168 | West London Jn - Willesden Jn (Acton) - Sudbury Jn | Note that East Croydon - Watford trains use the slow lines north of Wembley, so use the 'Willesden Relief' lines both ways, not fast line from West London jn. |
| 180 | Victoria - Factory Jn via Stewarts Lane low level. | Planned for 0423 Swanley, 0500 Gillingham and 0605 Victoria - Ramsgate, but not reliably used. This route forms an extra line due to there only being 3 tracks at high level into Victoria, and it was mostly used inbound. Easiest during weekend engineering work or planned diverted overnight services. Search RTT for passenger services at location Stewarts Lane Jn |
| 180 | Brixton Jn - Canterbury Road Jn - Cambria Jn (most trains use Crofton Road J-South London line-Voltaire Road Jn). | Main use is for trains for Dartford lines or those that do not stop but are still routed via Catford. Check trains to/from Victoria using platforms 3 or 4 at Denmark Hill eg xx33 Victoria - Gravesend Check RTT for location Canterbury Road Jn Also a common weekend diversion, which can be unnoticed unless the whole Herne Hill route is blocked as otherwise it has little effect on timings. |
| 180, 188 | Shortlands Junction 'old' flat route | Stopping trains are on the southernmost lines using P1/P2 at Shortlands and Bromley South, so use the newer diveunder line, although this is designated 'FL'. The 'flat' route is used mainly by the few fast trains that are routed via Catford, eg 1056 Ashford, 1315 Gillingham - London Vic |
| 180, 182, 191 | New Beckenham - Beckenham Junction | Used by route knowledge trains late at night, 0015/0020 London - Tunbridge Wells, 0445 Tonbridge - London although these can be diverted to normal route. Common weekend diversion, most often of Hastings services with closures through Lewisham & Grove Park but also some T188 services to Cannon St but still calling Bromley South |
| 180, 191 | Bickley - Petts Wood fast curve | Look for trains at Orpington P2 / P3 to/from Victoria / Blackfriars. Most likely use is through engineering diversions. Line is coded DFV and UFV on data sites OTT and RTT |
| 182 | Ladywell spur (Ladywell Jn - Parks Bridge Jn) | The normal route for Charing Cross - Hayes services as these do not not call Lewisham Half hourly M-S Routes show up on all data feed sites |
| 184, 185, 186 | Lewisham Vale Jn - Tanners Hill Jn. | Charing Cross - Lewisham services, services to/from Cannon St use slow lines and stop at New Cross or St Johns.
Search RTT for passenger services at locationLewisham Vale Jn not going to Victoria |
| 184, 186 | Slade Green - Barnehurst | Trains calling at both Slade Green and Barnehurst are a half-hourly circular service on Woolwich / Bexleyheath lines, shows clearly in timetable pdf eg xx15 & xx45, xx26 & xx56 from Cannon St Also used for diversions with closures towards Dartford |
| 185, 186 | Crayford curve, Crayford A Jn - Crayford B Jn | Trains calling at both Slade Green and Crayford are a circular service on Woolwich / Sidcup lines, shows clearly in timetable pdf eg 1804 from Cannon St Peak MON-FRI only |
| 188, 190 | Chislehurst curves | Regular use by Charing Cross - Maidstone trains (T190) with most up services using the 'CL' fast side. There are also eight peak hour services from Faversham/Gillingham to Cannon St via Swanley which use the reversible curve (line code RVL) up direction to access the slow / Cannon St lines directly eg 0702 Ramsgate - Cannon St. Up via reversible can also be used with the fairly common diversion of T189 Charing Cross - Kent services via Maidstone East or T188 services to Cannon St. |
| 188 | Sittingbourne west curve | Direct service (0505 M-F Gillingham - Sheerness) for startup of service direct from Gillingham depot, or under a very rare engineering work scenario. |
| 189 | Minster south-west curve | MON - FRI at school times call at both Sandwich and Minster, obvious in pdf timetables.
|
| 209 | Mossend S to E jns | Single legal minimum service train, currently 0548 M-F, 0559 SAT Motherwell - Shotts - Edinburgh.
2323 SAT Edinburgh - Carstairs - Motherwell has seen diversions using this route, as well as Glasgow - London sleeper |
| 65, 209 | Holytown - Wishaw | Another 'legal minimum' line, at least for local trains 0739 Carstairs - Garscadden, 1737 Anderston - 1800 Bellshill - Carstairs Also used by some through trains, found by a search for other operator services (LF, TP, VT) at Holytown Jn.
|
| 65 | Newton East Jn | 0426 SAT Glasgow - London uses this route for route knowledge reasons. Found by checking for other operator services (VT) at Mount Florida |
| 65, 209 | Through trains via Carmyle | 0745 Glasgow - Manchester Apt, 1612 Liverpool - Glasgow for route knowledge reasons. Found by checking for other operator services (TP) at Carmyle |
| 65, 209 | Mossend N - E | 0745 Glasgow - Manchester Apt, 1612 Liverpool - Glasgow for route knowledge reasons. Found by checking for other operator services (TP) at Carmyle |
| 212, 215 | Winchburgh - Dalmeny | MON-FRI 1910 Glasgow - Dundee, 1915 Dundee - Glasgow |
| 215 | Thornton S to W jn | As shown in timetable or search Kirkcaldy - Glenrothes
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| 215 | Thornton N to W jn | Now in common use with Leven services via Dunfermline.
Late night services non-stop from Inverkeithing, to give added hours for Fife electrification work via Kirkcaldy There are also a number of Perth / Dundee / Markinch - Dunfermline - Edinburgh trains, mainly for end of service stock positioning or route knowledge reasons. eg 0700 Perth - Edinburgh, 1855 SUN Edinburgh - Perth |
| 212, 215 | Winchburgh - Dalmeny | New services 1910 Glasgow - Dundee and 1915 Dundee - Glasgow. Also late night by Inverkiething - Edinburgh trains to allow more time for engineering work between Edinburgh and Dalmeny. May not be reliable. |
| 218 | Cowlairs N - E jns | The southbound Fort William sleeper service should use this route, northbound is normally via Bathgate, but may use this route if late. |
| 219 | Inverness Rose Street curve | None in current timetable Any altered trains can be noted as to/from Dingwall but using the 'south' platforms (1-4) at Inverness. |
| 220 | ScotRail sleepers | WCML blocks see the sleepers diverted via ECML, usually Euston - Wembley - Gospel Oak - Camden Road - Finsbury Park - York - Edinburgh The main diversion period is all week to 14 Jan 2026 |
| LUL | Use of Rickmansworth curve | Several services at the start or end of the day. See PSUL Can see use a few times a year due to local line blocks resulting in a Northwood - Watford - Amersham service. These are usually advised to the group by members. |
| LUL | Kensington Olympia | SAT SUN regular use, MON-FRI see LUL timetables |
| Sheffield Tram | Use of curve to avoid city centre | Several services at the start or end of the day. See PSUL Also used with disruption at Cathederal tram stop |
| Manchester Tram | Media City triangle | See PSUL |
