train cancelled tomorrow 18Feb 2026. Leic to Winchester

[suzanneparis]

Can anyone please help.
I am travelling from Leicester to Winchester tomorrow for a funeral.
Weds 18 Feb 2026.
But the train I was booked on has been cancelled. 08:50 from Leicester via Birmingham. The train to Birmingham seems ok but the 10:03 from Birmingham to Winchester leg of the journey is cancelled.
My tickets are complicated.
Leic to Birm anytime day return
Birm to Banbuy anytime day return
Banbury to Basingstoke off peak day return
Basingstoke to Wincheser evening out day return - valid after 12 noon

Can anyone please tell me:
1. why is the train from Birmingham to Winchester cancelled? If it's work on the line then it's useful to know as maybe I would be better travelling earlier.
2. what are my rights in terms of alternative journeys. Presumably I cannot travel via london seeing as i bought tickets for via birmingham. And seeing as i have several tickets to complete the journey.
3. if i go on the train an hour earlier then i have problems on the last bit of the journey from basingstoke to winchester as my ticket won't be valid. would i have to buy a new ticket?

Any suggestions on what to do would be very gratefully received. I need to be in Winchester at 2pm at the latest for the funeral.

Many thanks

 

[sot]

Ask for the last leg to be excessed to a better time.

Otherwise change last leg and if it would cost more with any fees, then just buy whatever is required for the last leg?

If still no dice attempt disruption cancellation/refund at office of relevant leg and change to better validity on that leg.

Request it to be done at no cost due to the cancellation/disruption

 

[jfollows]

CrossCountry JourneyCheck - Train times and live real time delay/cancellation/disruption information.

CrossCountry JourneyCheck provides real time, up-to-date train times and train disruption information keeping you informed about any delays or cancellations on the network and helping you know what to do when your journey is affected. Train Cancellations, Delays, Alterations and Engineering...

www.journeycheck.com

Wed, 18 February 08:33 Stockport to Bournemouth due 13:15


18/02/26 08:33 Stockport to Bournemouth due 13:15 will be terminated at Stafford.
It will no longer call at Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International, Coventry, Leamington Spa, Banbury, Oxford, Reading, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton Airport Parkwy, Southampton Central and Bournemouth.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:17/02/2026 15:39

Due	Station	Status
08:33	Stockport	08:33
08:46	Macclesfield	08:46
09:04	Stoke-On-Trent	09:04
09:21	Stafford	09:21
09:39	Wolverhampton	Not Stopping
10:03	Birmingham New Street	Not Stopping
10:13	Birmingham International	Not Stopping
10:26	Coventry	Not Stopping
10:38	Leamington Spa	Not Stopping
10:55	Banbury	Not Stopping
11:16	Oxford	Not Stopping
11:52	Reading	Not Stopping
12:12	Basingstoke	Not Stopping
12:27	Winchester	Not Stopping
12:38	Southampton Airport Parkwy	Not Stopping
12:49	Southampton Central	Not Stopping
13:15	Bournemouth	Not Stopping

 

[suzanneparis]

Thank you Jfollows that's helpful info.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2026 ==

Ask for the last leg to be excessed to a better time.

Otherwise change last leg and if it would cost more with any fees, then just buy whatever is required for the last leg?

If still no dice attempt disruption cancellation/refund at office of relevant leg and change to better validity on that leg.

Request it to be done at no cost due to the cancellation/disruption

Many thanks S. So if I go on the earlier train I can ask for the last bit of the journey to have some of it reduced in price.
Best wishes

 

[ainsworth74]

1. why is the train from Birmingham to Winchester cancelled? If it's work on the line then it's useful to know as maybe I would be better travelling earlier.

Seems to be due to a shortage of train drivers. At this point XC probably know what trains they don't have drivers for (at least for morning services) so anything else is likely safe from cancellation (obviously things can still go wrong on the day!).

2. what are my rights in terms of alternative journeys. Presumably I cannot travel via london seeing as i bought tickets for via birmingham. And seeing as i have several tickets to complete the journey.

I would agree you cannot go via London on that combination of tickets.

3. if i go on the train an hour earlier then i have problems on the last bit of the journey from basingstoke to winchester as my ticket won't be valid. would i have to buy a new ticket?

I can't see a reason why you wouldn't be allowed to travel an hour earlier on the basis that the disruption is through no fault of your own. I would be surprised if an XC guard took issue with you travelling on the train an hour earlier even though technically the ticket isn't valid until later as normally when a train is cancelled passengers are accommodated on trains either side of the cancelled service.

However, for peace of mind and considering the prices aren't horrendously different, you may prefer to refund that ticket (for no fee due to the cancellation) and then buy an Off-Peak Day Return (valid after 0845) instead at £12.70 (£8.45 with a railcard).

 

[suzanneparis]

Seems to be due to a shortage of train drivers. At this point XC probably know what trains they don't have drivers for (at least for morning services) so anything else is likely safe from cancellation (obviously things can still go wrong on the day!).

I would agree you cannot go via London on that combination of tickets.

I can't see a reason why you wouldn't be allowed to travel an hour earlier on the basis that the disruption is through no fault of your own. I would be surprised if an XC guard took issue with you travelling on the train an hour earlier even though technically the ticket isn't valid until later as normally when a train is cancelled passengers are accommodated on trains either side of the cancelled service.

However, for peace of mind and considering the prices aren't horrendously different, you may prefer to refund that ticket (for no fee due to the cancellation) and then buy an Off-Peak Day Return (valid after 0845) instead at £12.70 (£8.45 with a railcard).

Many thanks. How do I cancel the off peak day return? Can I do it with the guard. Or must I go to the ticket office in Leicester.
Though I may go on the 09:50 from LEicester instead. Which doesn't cause any ticket problems. As the 11:03 from Birmingham to Winchester gets in 13:26

 

[ainsworth74]

Many thanks. How do I cancel the off peak day return? Can I do it with the guard. Or must I go to the ticket office in Leicester.

You would need to speak with the organisation that sold you the ticket. If that was Leicester ticket office, speak to them. The guard will not be able to help.

 

[suzanneparis]

You would need to speak with the organisation that sold you the ticket. If that was Leicester ticket office, speak to them. The guard will not be able to help.

many thanks again.
I may take a chance on the later train 11:03 from Birmingham to Winchester. Which gives me half an hour to get to the funeral.
Kind regards

 

[redreni]

You would need to speak with the organisation that sold you the ticket. If that was Leicester ticket office, speak to them. The guard will not be able to help.

Why wouldn't the guard be able to help?

Surely he can either sell an excess or just accept the ticket?

I wouldn't personally do anything about this until on board the CrossCountry train to Winchester. The worst the guard should do is charge a (very small) excess fare, unless I am very much mistaken?

 

[ainsworth74]

Surely he can either sell an excess or just accept the ticket?

If you want a refund they won't be able to help which was the question I was answering. Obviously other options might be available and as noted in my first reply I reckon you just travel on the existing tickets. But someone people may prefer the lowest risk/stress option which would be to refund the existing ticket and buy a new ticket

 

[suzanneparis]

If you want a refund they won't be able to help which was the question I was answering. Obviously other options might be available and as noted in my first reply I reckon you just travel on the existing tickets. But someone people may prefer the lowest risk/stress option which would be to refund the existing ticket and buy a new ticket

Thanks again.
But I am minded to get the 11:03 from Birmingham.
As for Leicester to Birmingham I intend to catch the earlier train at 9:15 so that I have plenty of time to get around New St station.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2026 ==

Why wouldn't the guard be able to help?

Surely he can either sell an excess or just accept the ticket?But

I wouldn't personally do anything about this until on board the CrossCountry train to Winchester. The worst the guard should do is charge a (very small) excess fare, unless I am very much mistaken?

But even if the guard did allow it I would presumably still be stopped at the barrier in Winchester with an invalid ticket?

 

[david1212]

Can anyone please help.
I am travelling from Leicester to Winchester tomorrow for a funeral.
Weds 18 Feb 2026.
But the train I was booked on has been cancelled. 08:50 from Leicester via Birmingham. The train to Birmingham seems ok but the 10:03 from Birmingham to Winchester leg of the journey is cancelled.
My tickets are complicated.
Leic to Birm anytime day return
Birm to Banbuy anytime day return
Banbury to Basingstoke off peak day return
Basingstoke to Wincheser evening out day return - valid after 12 noon

Can anyone please tell me:
1. why is the train from Birmingham to Winchester cancelled? If it's work on the line then it's useful to know as maybe I would be better travelling earlier.
2. what are my rights in terms of alternative journeys. Presumably I cannot travel via london seeing as i bought tickets for via birmingham. And seeing as i have several tickets to complete the journey.
3. if i go on the train an hour earlier then i have problems on the last bit of the journey from basingstoke to winchester as my ticket won't be valid. would i have to buy a new ticket?

Any suggestions on what to do would be very gratefully received. I need to be in Winchester at 2pm at the latest for the funeral.

Many thanks

I have not looked at the Leicester to Birmingham leg.

From Birmingham as I see there is 09:33 to Reading ( starts Newcastle at 06:23 ) arrive 11:05. RTT shows just 4 coaches so with 10:13 not running potentially rammed.

From Reading to Basingstoke there is GWR at 11:07 so at best a very tight connection then at 11:32. The latter arrives Basingstoke 11:59.

From Basingstoke to Winchester there is SWR 12:03 so again a tight connection, next is 12:47, arrive Winchester 13:04.
For either of these if your ticket for this leg is any train / any operator after 12:00 it is valid.

Please carefully check the times I have found are correct.

 

[suzanneparis]

Many thanks. But I think I may just go on the later train. Which would have been 09:50 from Leicester arriving in Winchester at 13;27 or something like that. I shall however leave Leicester a bit earlier at 09;15 so that I have plenty of time for the connection at Birmingham.

Sub question. I did have seat reservations from Birmingham to Winchester. Obviously not now that the train is cancelled.
Is the 11:03 from Birmingham to Winchester likely to be full? I suppose it will be as the earlier 10:03 is cancelled I'm too old to stand all that way

 

[sheff1]

You could catch the hour earlier train as far as Basingstoke and alight there and travel onwards to Winchester on the 1203 (arr 1221) using the tickets you already hold.

 

[30907]

You could catch the hour earlier train as far as Basingstoke and alight there and travel onwards to Winchester on the 1203 (arr 1221) using the tickets you already hold.

Excellent suggestion.

I would personally feel uncomfortable arriving at a station with only half an hour to spare before a funeral or similar, even if the church/venue was next door.

 

[reb0118]

But even if the guard did allow it I would presumably still be stopped at the barrier in Winchester with an invalid ticket?

The worst that could happen is an excess to the cheapest appropriate fare - so there's no risk.

Personally, I would travel earlier with your original tickets and explain the reason you're travelling earlier is due to the cancellation of one of your booked trains.

No need to fork out additional money, unless absolutely necessary.

 

[sot]

Many thanks. But I think I may just go on the later train. Which would have been 09:50 from Leicester arriving in Winchester at 13;27 or something like that. I shall however leave Leicester a bit earlier at 09;15 so that I have plenty of time for the connection at Birmingham.

Sub question. I did have seat reservations from Birmingham to Winchester. Obviously not now that the train is cancelled.
Is the 11:03 from Birmingham to Winchester likely to be full? I suppose it will be as the earlier 10:03 is cancelled I'm too old to stand all that way

Either ask at a ticket office for the reservations or you can use the GWR website to book just seating reservations after logging in

 

[suzanneparis]

Thanks for all your replies.
Delay repay? As I shall quite possibly be arriving an hour late can I apply for any compensation? And will it be for all of the 4 tickets to get to Winchester or only one of them? Thanks again

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2026 ==

Either ask at a ticket office for the reservations or you can use the GWR website to book just seating reservations after logging in

Can I do that now? And why GWR it's a cross country train. thanks

 

[ainsworth74]

Delay repay? As I shall quite possibly be arriving an hour late can I apply for any compensation? And will it be for all of the 4 tickets to get to Winchester or only one of them? Thanks again

Yes Delay Repay would apply and for all the tickets held as it's based on the journey (which is Leicester to Winchester) rather than individual train.

Can I do that now? And why GWR it's a cross country train. thanks

Yes you can do it now. GWRs website is able to make reservations for any service in GB that has seat reservations. Not sure why they do and no-one else does. It's a bit fiddly but it works.

 

[suzanneparis]

Yes Delay Repay would apply and for all the tickets held as it's based on the journey (which is Leicester to Winchester) rather than individual train.


Yes you can do it now. GWRs website is able to make reservations for any service in GB that has seat reservations. Not sure why they do and no-one else does. It's a bit fiddly but it works.

Many thanks very helpful.

 

[david1212]

..... Sub question. I did have seat reservations from Birmingham to Winchester. Obviously not now that the train is cancelled.
Is the 11:03 from Birmingham to Winchester likely to be full? I suppose it will be as the earlier 10:03 is cancelled I'm too old to stand all that way

For the 11:03 RTT shows as 5 coaches.
If I try to buy from Birmingham to Winchester the XC website will not let me select a seat so all reservable seats may be booked.
Getting an unreserved seat ( or a reserved seat that is not claimed ) is a risk as while at Birmingham a change of passengers those who are already on board without a seat will get to the vacant seats first.

For the 09:33 the XC website will let me select a seat Birmingham > Reading. So maybe your better option.
I don't think you can reserve Reading > Basingstoke but less likely to be full and standing.

Can I do that now? And why GWR it's a Cross-Country train. thanks

One of the many many quirks of UK railway train fares and the ticket booking sites both operator and third party ........

 

[redreni]

But even if the guard did allow it I would presumably still be stopped at the barrier in Winchester with an invalid ticket?

If the guard tells you it's okay and you don't need to pay an excess fare, you could ask them to endorse your ticket so as to avoid any issue at the barrier.

If that's not possible, the worst that could happen at the barrier is:

The difference in price between the ticket you hold (an Evening Out return, which is just a Super Off-Peak with silly branding) and the lowest price ticket valid for travel one hour earlier than booked (the off-peak day return) is £3.90.

I would personally be much more concerned not to be late for a funeral than I would about being in trouble for travelling before 12:00 on an Evening Out return. The limit of your liability for that is a £3.90 excess fare.

 

[reb0118]

I would personally be much more concerned not to be late for a funeral than I would about being in trouble for travelling before 12:00 on an Evening Out return. The limit of your liability for that is a £3.90 excess fare.

^^^this^^^

I got caught out with parking at my last funeral, had to sneak in the back. At least I knew the hymns almost by heart.

Better too early than too late.

 

[suzanneparis]

Many thanks to everyone for your kind and much appreciated help. Got to the funeral with time to spare and even managed a brief tour of Winchester.

Got there and back ok. But found it exhausting. Train was full on the Leicester to Birmingham route. And on the return journey people were standing in the aisle for some of the journey between Winchester and Birmingham.

Again many thanks.

 

[ainsworth74]

Many thanks to everyone for your kind and much appreciated help. Got to the funeral with time to spare and even managed a brief tour of Winchester.

Got there and back ok. But found it exhausting. Train was full on the Leicester to Birmingham route. And on the return journey people were standing in the aisle for some of the journey between Winchester and Birmingham.

Again many thanks.

Glad it all worked out. Unfortunately CrossCountry services have been chronically short of rolling stock for many years thanks to various Governments decisions (or indecision) so your experience is sadly not unusual. Which is a real shame because it's should be a vital link for all of GBs non-London town/cities but is always the bridesmaid and never the bride!

 

[reb0118]

Glad you enjoyed Winchester. I stopped of there a few years back on a journey from Edinburgh to Portsmouth. As you've found out, the small Cross Country section was the most overcrowded.