Gatwick Express Santa’s Grotto?

[matt9f]

There’s a Gat-Ex 387 in platform 9 at Brighton with sheets/paper over the windows. As there’s an elf and a snowman on the platform I’m guessing it’s Xmas related... Anyone know what’s going on?

 

[Larry Trapp]

There’s a Gat-Ex 387 in platform 9 at Brighton with sheets/paper over the windows. As there’s an elf and a snowman on the platform I’m guessing it’s Xmas related... Anyone know what’s going on?

Can you clarify the platform number please ? There's only 8 platforms at Brighton.

I was having a look in RTT to see if I could see it but I can't seem to get it to list any GX services at the moment.

 

[matt9f]

Sorry, it's Platform 8, the wooden one used mainly by east coastway services (replaced by buses today). I doubt it's moving anywhere soon as there's also a 313 and another unit seemingly stabled in the same platform.

 

[OxtedSignaller]

It is for company staff to bring their families to, I think they have activities on board and a Santa's Grotto it also visits Victoria.

 

[JB_B]

I caught a glimpse of this as I was leaving Brighton today and assumed it was for staff children/charity/both - some of those elves looked strangely familiar

 

[Larry Trapp]

I could only find 2X4C and 5B98 listed on platform 8 (open train times) but couldn't find any more details.

2X4C seems an odd headcode, does anyone know if this related to that train?

Has anybody got RTT to display any details on it?

 

[Highlandspring]

Two times four car (units)..?

 

[Sunset route]

I could only find 2X4C and 5B98 listed on platform 8 (open train times) but couldn't find any more details.

2X4C seems an odd headcode, does anyone know if this related to that train?

Has anybody got RTT to display any details on it?

Two times four car (units)..?

Depending who was working on panel 6 when it was interposed, but I’ve certainly used 2X4C when there have been two 4 car units berthed but not attached to each other.

 

[Bishopstone]

No sign of the snowman this evening, though I guess with the weather remaining more autumnal than wintry, it didn’t last long.

 

[Class315]

The 4 carriages where on the rear of 1W18 1830 London Victoria - Brighton, gatwick express last night. The train consisted of 12 carriages, although the last 4 carriages where locked out of use and was covered in christmas decorations.

 

[HowardGWR]

No sign of the snowman this evening, though I guess with the weather remaining more autumnal than wintry, it didn’t last long.

Indeed, we haven't had St Nicholas yet (Dec 6th) yet alone his northern mate Father Christmas.

 

[Surreytraveller]

I could only find 2X4C and 5B98 listed on platform 8 (open train times) but couldn't find any more details.

2X4C seems an odd headcode, does anyone know if this related to that train?

Has anybody got RTT to display any details on it?

Two times four car
Sorry - didn't see the other two responses!

 

[big all]

I could only find 2X4C and 5B98 listed on platform 8 (open train times) but couldn't find any more details.

2X4C seems an odd headcode, does anyone know if this related to that train?

Has anybody got RTT to display any details on it?

"2X4C seems an odd headcode"
two Xmass four Cristmas ??

 

[yorkie]

I was having a look in RTT to see if I could see it but I can't seem to get it to list any GX services at the moment.

I'm not sure what you mean.

If Realtimetrains has a map of Brighton station, I can't see it, but this GTR unit is not in service.

I could only find 2X4C and 5B98 listed on platform 8 (open train times) but couldn't find any more details.

2X4C seems an odd headcode, does anyone know if this related to that train?

Has anybody got RTT to display any details on it?

I cannot see a map of Brighton station on Realtimetrains, I can see the headcodes you quote shown as occupying platform 8 on OpenTrainTimes. Note that '2X4C' is not an actual headcode; it's scrambled.

But this is a stationary GTR unit so I am not sure what you expect to see?

 

[tsr]

I'm not sure what you mean.

If Realtimetrains has a map of Brighton station, I can't see it, but this GTR unit is not in service.

I cannot see a map of Brighton station on Realtimetrains, I can see the headcodes you quote shown as occupying platform 8 on OpenTrainTimes. Note that '2X4C' is not an actual headcode; it's scrambled.

But this is a stationary GTR unit so I am not sure what you expect to see?

2X4C is not a scrambled headcode, it’s a signaller’s note in the train describer.

Scrambled headcodes follow the pattern “123A” (3 numbers and a letter).

 

[Larry Trapp]

Hi Yorkie,

Sorry I wasn't clear. No maps on RTT or course but I was using that to try and see when the unit might have arrived, might be departing and to where, obviously sounds like an ECS move so I Would have expected a class 5 headcode.

The OP mentioned a 313 unit on the platform which could have been the class 5.

The 2X, yes I understand it was scrambled but at the time that point missed me lol, but that is usually only done for freight isn't it.

I was looking at the map on open train times not real time train. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Larry Trapp]

2X4C - sorry should have worked that out, didn't take it literally - sorry

 

[AndrewE]

I wonder if Santa has any rolling stock in his sack for lines where the coaches or units could be used strengthening overcrowded trains?

 

[MotCO]

I wonder if Santa has any rolling stock in his sack for lines where the coaches or units could be used strengthening overcrowded trains?

He can pull anything out of the bag