Paddington trains still hit by 30 minute waits
Trains between London Paddington and the South West are still delayed by 30 minutes following a casualty on the track this morning.
Lines have reopened following the incident between Swindon and Didcot Parkway but trains may still be delayed, revised or cancelled, National Rail said.
We’re unable to run ‘normal’ service, say Thameslink and Southern
Thameslink and Southern have said they are unable to run a normal service for the afternoon.
In a message to customers, the train companies said: “Earlier this morning we were advised of a significant fire affecting lineside cabling between Norwood Junction and London Bridge.
“This has resulted in several signalling failures and as such we are unable to run a normal service in either direction between East Croydon/Norwood Junction and London Bridge (via Forest Hill/Sydenham) until further notice.
“Network Rail colleagues are on site, and following the Fire Brigade’s successful intervention, they are now replacing the damaged equipment.
“After this, testing will begin to ensure the correct working of the new equipment, with the intention of a slow reintroduction of some services this evening.”
Thameslink cancellations and disruption
A slew of Thameslink trains will also be cancelled or disrupted this afternoon because of the cable fire.
– Trains between Brighton and Bedford will be diverted between East Croydon and Blackfriars, and won’t stop at London Bridge as a result.
– Trains between Horsham and Peterborough will be diverted between East Croydon and Blackfriars. These trains will not stop at London Bridge but will stop at Earlswood and Salfords additionally in both directions.
– Trains between Brighton and Cambridge will be cancelled.
– Trains between Three Bridges and Bedford (stopping services via Redhill) will be cancelled.
– Trains between East Grinstead and Bedford will be cancelled.
Southern details afternoon disruption after cable fire
Southern has said trains from London Bridge will be cancelled this afternoon after a cable fire.
Until 4pm at the earliest, it said:
– Trains between Uckfield and London Bridge will run between Uckfield and East Croydon only, or will be cancelled.
– Trains between Tattenham Corner/Caterham and London Bridge will be diverted via an alternative route between East Croydon and London Bridge.
– Trains between Epsom and London Bridge will be cancelled
– Trains between London Victoria and London Bridge will be cancelled.
Some lines reopen after cable fire – but only for an hour
Some lines will temporarily reopen after a cable fire near Brockley Station.
Some lines between East Croydon and London Bridge will be reopened until half one.
But then peak services on Southern will again divert via Selhurst, meaning they won’t call at London Bridge.
Network Rail says this will last until 4pm.
Line reopens following casualty on track near Didcot Parkway
Trains are able to run again following a casualty on the track near Didcot Parkway, causing long delays on trains between London Paddington and the South West of England and parts of Wales.
There are still 90 minute delays despite the line reopening.
Disruption is now expected until 3pm.
Pictures reveal damage to cables near Brockley
Network Rail has told customers it is working as quickly as possible to replace signalling cables following a fire near the tracks by Brockley station.
Pictures show where the fire burnt through a number of important cables. Engineers are hoping to be able to get the railway reopened by Tuesday Evening, Network Rail added.
Firefighters extinguished ‘small fire’ near Brockley station
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has provided further details about a trackside fire in Brockley which is causing major disruption to the capital’s rail network.
A spokesperson told the Standard firefighters extinguished a “small” trackside fire near Brockley station in the early hours of the morning.
The :LFB was called shortly after 4am and had the incident under control over an hour later at 5.11am.
One fire engine from New Cross Fire Station attended the scene.
90 minute delays between Paddington and South West due to ‘casualty on the track’
There has been a casualty on the tracks creating long delays between Paddington and the South West of England.
The British Transport Police told the Standard: “Officers were called to the line near Wantage at around 8.28am today (17 September) following reports of a casualty on the tracks.
“Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be
prepared for the coroner.”
National Rail has warned that there are 90 minute delays between Paddington and stations such as Penzance, Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central.
Major disruption between Paddington and South West
Trains travelling to and from London Paddington have been hit by 90 minute delays due to an emergency between Swindon and Didcot Parkway.
National Rail has warned all lines are blocked between the two stations and there are long delays between Paddington and stations such as Cardiff Central, Bristol Temple Meads and Penzance.
Major disruption is expected until 1pm.
