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I wonder if a member could help me with this query. I do enjoy trains, but don't see much of interest living not far from the London Gillingham via Dartford line, at Greenhithe. But I do have a niggling query.

Weekdays, there is a late train from Faversham, stopping at main stations in the Medway towns, Greenhithe, Dartford and then fast to Victoria. Nothing else is remotely relevant on the timetable. The query is why?

Seem to remember a few years back, when I first moved here, there was a similar late train from Dover or Margate.

Looking forward to the new domestic service from Ebbsfleet, just five minutes up the road. Will give me an extra 3/4 of an hour in bed, each morning. If I can afford the ticket!

I know the query is not life or death, but it would be nice to know. Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Sledgewrt, sorry I don't know the answer to your question but I would like to welcome you to the Railway Forum. Hope you get an answer soon.

Hello Sledgewrt and welcome to the forum.
I don't know your area very well but could it be that the normal route via Swanley closes for maintenance each night and that's why the last train is routed via Dartford?
Another possible reason for this unusual routing is that it helps to keep the route knowledge of drivers up to date should they need to use the Dartford line as a diversion route.
We have some drivers on the forum and hopefully one of them might be able to come up with the definitive answer.

pardon my ignorance, but what is the actual route from Dartford to Victoria ? There doesn't seem to be an obvious one to me (but I live in the frozen northern wastes !)

I am assuming Dartford - Lewisham - Nunhead Junction - Victoria.

Thank you for the replies so far and the warm welcome.

As you suggest Swiss, the normal route from Dartford to Victoria, is via the Bexleyheath line to Lewisham, then Nunhead, Peckham Rye and Denmark Hill. It's an hourly service (I think) during the day starting at about 10.00 and not at all well used. It's quicker to get the semi-fast via Woolwich to London Bridge, Waterloo or CX and jump on the tube.