Major Incident at Huntingdon (01/11/2025)

[Steddenm]

Why would there be? Did anything take place on the track? Like, did someone run onto them while escaping? I'm confused as to why all lines are blocked for an incident reported to have taken plave entirely within the confines of train carriages.

The entire area will be treated as a crime scene. We don't know if there is any damage to the train (smashed windows, emergency egress opened etc), whether any evidence has been thrown out onto the track, any damage to the OHLE/track if the train made an emergency stop.

It will be sealed off for a while, just like any crime scene when there is an incident. It gives emergency services a secure area to work and as it is dark, BTP or Cambs may want to wait until it is light. The OHLE may be switched off as well in the area.

Looking at any "terrorist incdent" (in inverted commas as it hasn't been confirmed yet), such as the horrific Manchester Arena Bombing, the entire area was sealed off, not just Victoria station and the Arena.

 

[43094]

The service involved was 1Y90.

There are good reasons why the line has been blocked (albeit I won't go into specifics here, but some of the gist of it is within some of the posts so far in this thread).

 

[DarloRich]

This is an appalling incident. Terrible.

Stick to proper news services like sky and BBC. Social media is already a bin fire

 

[Vexed]

Very sad day. My thoughts are with everyone involved. Hopefully everyone taken to hospital makes a swift recovery.

First Thameslink train in an hour and a half has left St Neots 20 minutes late. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y36147/2025-11-01/detailed#allox_id=0

If I was guessing it might be carrying some of 1H08's passengers who want to go southbound.

All other Thameslink services at St Neots cancelled today.

 

[BrummieBobby]

Why would there be? Did anything take place on the track? Like, did someone run onto them while escaping? I'm confused as to why all lines are blocked for an incident reported to have taken plave entirely within the confines of train carriages.

It's a major incident, all lines need to be blocked.

For example, if two trains collided at Birmingham New St with multiple casualties, would you insist that they continue running trains through unaffected platforms?

 

[Annetts key]

My understanding is that the Network Rail RIO (Rail Incident Officer) requested that the signaller close all lines at the request of the police. As this is being treated as a terrorism attack, the police are apparently concerned about the possibility of explosive devices on the train.

 

[jagardner1984]

Can only try to imagine how completely grim this must have been for those injured, those witnessing, and those waiting for news.

One can only hope for a swift recovery for the injured and all the staff and passengers involved get the support they need. I think the trauma of being in proximity to such things must be overwhelming to cope with emotionally.

As for anyone seeking to attach such incidents to whatever their political bandwagon may be, it is of course beneath contempt, but entirely unsurprising from that source.

A glimmer of hope that invariably emerges from such incidents is the unity the railway family (and indeed much of the wider public) shows as so many of us consider whether we or those we love could also have been in the wrong place at the wrong time tonight. That is so much more powerful than the forces of hate that lead to or seek to exploit such tragedy.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Thoughts for the affected. Hope nobody on this is on that train, as several members often travel between Yorkshire and London.

 

[nolypops83]

The service involved was 1Y90.

There are good reasons why the line has been blocked (albeit I won't go into specifics here, but some of the gist of it is within some of the posts so far in this thread).

That's what I'm hearing/seeing too. Apparently, all crew are safe, which is good news. Hopefully the passengers involved are being well looked after by the emergency services and the crew are being supported by LNER. I'm sure they are all doing their best given the circumstances.

 

[MarkWi72]

Absolutely terrifying.

 

[sheff1]

Like I say; people on ground know what they are doing.

Take it you are there or in direct contact with people who are.

 

[wanderingriver]

Here is the RTT link for the journey for those who are interested (sorry if a repeat link): https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P00149/2025-11-01/detailed#allox_id=0

Also, I really hope that there are no casualties this evening. This is absolutely horrific and shocking. The racists on twitter are making all sorts of theories about the attackers and no one seems to care about the victims. People seems to always be looking for an excuse to be horrible

 

[fgwrich]

Did people run onto tracks to escape, were windows smashed on train and things thrown into line?

You don't know. We don't know.

The staff on the ground and the emergency services know what they are doing!

Sadly times like these continue to bring out the worst in people, and suddenly everyone is an emergency service responder or expert. Having been there, having worked in those situations, I can fully say the opposite. However with social media we have become more opinionated these days and it is easier to spread around false information or narratives.

However, like I and others have said, let’s just let the services do their jobs. And cut the speculation until we actually have the information provided to us by the official channels (and I’m not talking media here at all). And my thoughts remain with all at the scene tonight.

(Not a dig at you at all by the way)

 

[The exile]

Pretty irrelevant really.

Not if people who don't know about trains know they have relatives or friends travelling to or from Euston at the relevant time. They will then be worried unnecessarily.

 

[IrishDave]

From watching the live signal maps on OTT, 9J58 and 1H08 made it as far as the signals protecting Huntingdon on the down lines, and 1A48 the same on the up. 1H08 has been reversed back to St Neots. 9J58 was reversed back to St Neots and crossed over, I believe that has formed 9J67. 1A48 has been reversed back to Peterborough.

The fact that trains are being reversed back into platforms makes me think the line will be closed for a long while yet.

Additionally, there are engineering works at Ely, so trains cannot be diverted via Cambridge even if they are diesel trains and the crew happen to sign the route.

 

[800001]

Take it you are there or in direct contact with people who are.

You don't need to be at scene to understand why a blockage is in place. It's common sense.

 

[Horizon22]

These are the sort of events rail staff train for (major incidents, terrorist attacks, "Run, Hide, Tell" etc.) but hope to never have to be involved in / take actions for.

The emergency services will take primacy, and the train service will definitely be suspended around it and frankly will be of a secondary concern. Definitely for the rest of the day and probably into most of tomorrow too. If a shuttle can be run to/from either end of the obstruction (i.e Huntingdon) great, but it will be difficult to achieve so late at night.

Thoughts are with those injured and let's hope they make a speedy recovery. I'm sure the details will come out in due course.

 

[ainsworth74]

Enough with the debate on why the line is blocked. Various sensible explanations have been provided. Move on. Further posts questioning this or in relation to this will be deleted.

 

[Crossover]

Sorry, I was taking the data from Traksy that stated it is a 225 set.

That may just be showing a timing load.

 

[Bob85]

 

[brad465]

This post on the BBC live feed seems to suggest the team updating it don't know what the train's final destination was. I'm guessing not much info on the ground has reached them:

As it happened: Man, 32, treated as only suspect in train stabbing as staff member in life-threatening condition, police say

British Transport Police say the "heroic" man who tried to stop the attack remains in hospital. Five others have been discharged.

www.bbc.co.uk

Where is Cambridgeshire?​

​

Local authorities say this incident occurred on a train to Huntington in Cambridgeshire, however it's unclear if that was its final destination.

Cambridgeshire is about 50 miles (80km) north of London.

Part of the East of England region, it also takes in areas like Cambridge and Peterborough.

 

[JamesT]

This was the top story on the 10pm news on BBC1, though with minimal details.

 

[Failed Unit]

It must be difficult for control to know what to do for the best. If you take the 2027 Lincoln - London, they could have cancelled it throughout. It is now say a Newark, but for passengers heading to Peterborough it is the right thing to do.

My thoughts with everyone involved. Just a bit of luck that I am not on that train myself, having managed to get the one before by the skin of my teeth.

 

[Steve Harris]

I've noticed on signalmaps that 0Z99 is now travelling southbound over Stoke Summit, I'm guessing that's its a thunderbird to move the affected unit.

 

[Banham7]

If a shuttle can be run to/from either end of the obstruction (i.e Huntingdon) great, but it will be difficult to achieve so late at night.

GTR have completely suspended their Horsham-Peterborough service at this time, as service recovery for this incident will be extremely challenging with multiple LNER, GC & HT services occupying and terminating at intermediate stations between Kings Cross and Peterborough.

Tomorrow will be extremely challenging for the industry and I imagine the service plan for LNER tomorrow will be to terminate at Peterborough.

Thameslink trains which usually run between Horsham and Peterborough have been suspended in both directions and will not run until further notice. North of London At this time, there will be no service to/from the below stations; Peterborough Huntingdon St Neots Sandy Biggleswade Arlesey If you are travelling from any of the above listed stations at this time, please speak to station staff, or from unstaffed stations, press the GREEN Emergency button on the station help point.

https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/s...230070000#INC199D6044D1C54A899B203BB0BBAE0966

 

[Trackman]

My thoughts are with all concerned.

Watching the BBC news feed now, not much more new information coming out.

 

[800001]

I've noticed on signalmaps that 0Z99 is now travelling southbound over Stoke Summit, I'm guessing that's its a thunderbird to move the affected unit.

Moving the unit will not of even been thought of at this moment in time. That unit will be sat there for many many hours.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Ticket Acceptance is now in place with West Midlands Trains and I don't think I've seen that really happen before.

The ticket acceptance for this evening is also valid for tomorrow understandably.

Almost universal ticket acceptance (at least on any services left for the rest of tonight), which is surely a sign of the shocking severity.

 

[800001]

It must be difficult for control to know what to do for the best. If you take the 2027 Lincoln - London, they could have cancelled it throughout. It is now say a Newark, but for passengers heading to Peterborough it is the right thing to do.

My thoughts with everyone involved. Just a bit of luck that I am not on that train myself, having managed to get the one before by the skin of my teeth.

They will be looking at what crew are operating it, and now also, where can they send the unit to, how can they get it there for example.
Could be a case of dumping it at Peterborough and using it for service tomorrow, it could be they may get it to Doncaster to a depot.

 

[brad465]

Tomorrow will be extremely challenging for the industry and I imagine the service plan for LNER tomorrow will be to terminate at Peterborough.

I don't know how often diversions through Ely are done by LNER, but the blockade through there this weekend has come at a bad time (not that NR could have foreseen this).