Trains cancelled today: which UK rail services are affected by heatwave, will there be cancellations tomorrow?

Network Rail teams have been working to fix problems with the track and overhead wires caused by the extreme heat
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Train services are being cancelled and disrupted after record high temperatures hit the UK on Tuesday (19 July).

More than two dozen services leaving from London King’s Cross and Euston stations were axed or delayed on Wednesday morning (20 July)

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Network Rail urged passengers to check before they started their journeys and only to travel if absolutely necessary.

​​​​​​​A huge amount of work was completed over Tuesday night to fix problems with the track and overhead wires caused by the record temperatures.

Network Rail teams have been working to make the repairs so services can be back up and running for passengers but there is still disruption to services.

A total of 21 operators, from Transport for Wales and Gatwick Express to the Transpennine Express and Southern, had to run a slower service on Monday (18 July) and Tuesday (19 July) after National Rail implemented speed restrictions across its network.

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Speed restrictions are used by train companies during periods of hot weather to avoid any damage being made to the tracks and to prevent rails from buckling.

Some trains were ordered to run at slower speeds than normal, typically dropping from 125mph to 90mph or 60mph, with some stretching as slow as 20mph.

Which train services will be cancelled on Thursday?

The normal ScotRail timetable will be reintroduced on Wednesday 20 July, adding almost 700 services per day for customers.

Most routes are now running a normal service and repairs have now been completed.

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Customers who chose not to travel on Monday or Tuesday are reminded that you are eligible for a fee free refund.

Some operators have also offered customers the ability to travel on either Wednesday 20 July, Thursday 21 July or Friday 22 July if you preferred to delay your travel – you can check this with your operator.

What happened on Wednesday?

Many trains between London Euston and Scotland were cancelled, while no trains were running north of Birmingham to Wolverhampton.

Lee Ball was trying to travel with his wife, Libby, and 10-year-old daughter, Amelie, from their home in Droitwich, Worcestershire, to London Euston as part of a journey to Brussels for an Ed Sheeran concert.

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The 46-year-old said their train from Droitwich to Birmingham New Street was cancelled with less than 30 minutes’ notice so they drove to Birmingham International, where they have been left waiting for hours.

He said: “I’ve been up since 4.30am, anxious, trying to get an answer from anywhere we can. I was monitoring trains this morning from Birmingham New Street to London Euston and one was literally cancelled with five minutes’ notice.”

He added that communication from the train companies has been “appalling”.

Many other rail services were canclled on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the extreme heat.

Full list of trains cancelled on Thursday

  • Overhead wire problems between Bolton and Preston means all lines are currently blocked. As a result of this, trains may be cancelled or delayed by up to 45 minutes. Disruption is expected until 09:30.
  • A tree blocking the railway between Basingstoke and Salisbury means the line is blocked. Trains running between these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 08:00.
  • Lines have now reopened following overrunning engineering works between Stratford and Shenfield. However, whilst service recovers, trains running between these stations may be delayed or cancelled. Disruption is expected until 09:00.
  • Due to a points failure at Woking, trains running through this station may be cancelled or delayed by up to 20 minutes. Disruption is expected until 09:00.
  • A fault with the signalling system between Rugeley Trent Valley and Birmingham New Street means trains running between these stations may be delayed or cancelled. Disruption is expected until 09:30.
  • A person has been hit by a train between Wigan North Western and Preston. As all lines are currently blocked, trains may be cancelled or diverted until approximately 10:00. If you’ve been affected by what happened on the network today, there is always someone to talk to. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 from any phone for a confidential chat.
  • Damage to the overhead electric wires between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey means no trains are currently able to run between these stations. This is expected to continue until approximately 09:00. Customers can use their tickets on rail replacement buses or Bus Route 321 (Arriva The Shires): Watford Junction - Watford North - Garston - Bricket Wood - How Wood (nearby) - St Albans Abbey - St Albans.
  • Damage to the overhead wires between Watford Junction and London Euston means some lines towards London Euston are disrupted. As a result trains may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
  • Lines have reopened following a safety inspection of the track at Ockendon, trains running through this station may still be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 09:15.

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