Why do GTR (Southern) operate services between Watford Junction & East Croydon?

[PGAT]

There was a recast of the LNR timetable as well. This means that it no longer could occupy the previous path between Milton Keynes and Watford Junction (or would run very close to a Milton Keynes to Euston service), regardless of what was going on with 455s.

Some trains are still able to get to and reverse at Hemel Hempstead in the peak

 

[JonathanH]

Some trains are still able to get to and reverse at Hemel Hempstead in the peak

The off-peak trains could do that too if desired (as evidenced by the reversal around 1930) but it isn't obvious why they would.

 

[RobShipway]

Because it's part of their franchise/management contract.
The route is part of a long-planned upgrade to services across London (originally Rugby-Gatwick Airport).
Another operator could take it over, but it's unlikely to disappear.

The trains before that where originally Brighton - Rugby services, which replaced the XC services from Brighton that got dropped. The paths then got taken up by Thameslink, which meant that the service then started from Gatwick Airport. but later this got dropped to East Croydon.

 

[Southern Dvr]

Currently there are 3x Hemel Hempstead workings. 0616 from Selhurst, 1810 & 2010 from E Croydon. From December TT there will be another one in the morning. The reason they exist is because of the bay wasn’t available at Watford we could run up to Hemel and back again to clear the line. The reason they don’t all do it is because of freight paths.

An option I had hoped would be considered (had SN had some stock made available to it after the 313/455 scrappage) was that the Watford service would take over the Tring stoppers.

 

[miklcct]

the Watford service would take over the Tring stoppers.

How do you that if an even 15-minute frequency on the LNR suburban is to be maintained?

 

[yorkie]

Why do Southern still run services on the West London route from Watford Junction (formerly Milton Keynes Central) to East Croydon when stations from Imperial Wharf to Watford Junction (and formerly the stations they served between there and Milton Keynes Central) are outside of their area?

By definition GTRs area is bounded by the places they serve; the brand names are just brand names and nothing more.

What next; 'Corby is out if the Luton Airport Express area?'