West coast mainline north blocked near wolverton 19.06.26

[Kettledrum]

My avanti train has been stuck for an hour on the fast line (I think) because the train in front has broken down.

The driver announced 40 minutes ago that he is waiting for control to come up with a plan.....but nothing since

What sort of plan might that be?

I wondered if the train I am on might be permitted to reverse back the wrong way to milton keynes where it might be possible to switch tracks to the slow line to continue the journey north?
Is this ever done?

And if not, what normally happens in cases like this?

 

[NSE]

It could be the plan. But chances are other trains are right behind you meaning they’ll have to be sorted first.

 

[A S Leib]

Given the current lack of trains through Bedford, I can't imagine rail replacement buses being provided quickly if necessary.

 

[Kettledrum]

Driver has just announced that this will be the plan after all.....just minutes after I posted!

 

[bluenoxid]

Assume you are on 1F33 1807 to Liverpool. Looks like you are just rolling into Milton Keynes.

Failed train appears to be delayed 9K35 1716 London Euston - Crewe

 

[voyagerdude220]

Failed train appears to be delayed 9K35 1716 London Euston - Crewe

Yes that's correct. It was already 49 late (it left London late) and has since been stood for over an hour. At least other trains can hopefully work around it but it may lead to congestion in the area.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Good lord it never rains but pours. At least no injuries on this so much better than Bedford. People trying to travel north or south to avoid Bedford would probably use this route.

 

[voyagerdude220]

It looks like 1B59 18:47 Birmingham New Street to London Euston has been adjacent to the failed train for a while. I'm guessing train to train evacuation taking place.

Realtime Trains | 1B59 1847 Birmingham New Street to London Euston | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 1B59 1847 departure from Birmingham New Street to London Euston on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Kettledrum]

It looks like 1B59 18:47 Birmingham New Street to London Euston has been adjacent to the failed train for a while. I'm guessing train to train evacuation taking place.

Realtime Trains | 1B59 1847 Birmingham New Street to London Euston | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 1B59 1847 departure from Birmingham New Street to London Euston on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Yes, the Avanti driver of the Liverpool train mentioned that the broken down train was going to be evacuated, and we eventually passed both trains when the Liverpool train set off North from Milton Keynes again

 

[Peter0124]

The broken down train is still sitting there, it is an 807. I assume this will get towed overnight?

 

[DaveyJones]

The broken down train is still sitting there, it is an 807. I assume this will get towed overnight?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:83955/2026-06-20/detailed looks like this is the ECS

 

[QueensCurve]

It could be the plan. But chances are other trains are right behind you meaning they’ll have to be sorted

There was a time when the following train would have pushed-through the failed train. is that not possible?

 

[NeilCr]

There was a time when the following train would have pushed-through the failed train. is that not possible?

Last time this happened to me - a number of years ago - to be fair - I was on the “pushing train”

That failed too so we had two trains stuck outside Gillingham waiting for rescue

 

[najaB]

There was a time when the following train would have pushed-through the failed train. is that not possible?

I would've thought that, at the very least, the fact that unless the trains are of the same type they might not be mechanically compatible for pushing (no buffers/buffers at different heights, or different coupling systems) would make this less feasible.

 

[Bald Rick]

There was a time when the following train would have pushed-through the failed train. is that not possible?

Depends a) on the nature of the fault and b) the availability of a suitable, compatible train to do the pushing (or pulling).

If, for example, the fault is a seized axle, the train will not be pulled or pushed anywhere in a hurry. I dont know what the fault is here.

 

[brad465]

Last time this happened to me - a number of years ago - to be fair - I was on the “pushing train”

That failed too so we had two trains stuck outside Gillingham waiting for rescue

Can you clarify which "Gillingham" this was please?

 

[NeilCr]

Apologies

Kent

 

[Kettledrum]

The announcement from the driver on the Liverpool bound train (stuck behind the stranded train), suggested that it was some sort of air leak, so maybe pushing was not possible.

 

[voyagerdude220]

The announcement from the driver on the Liverpool bound train (stuck behind the stranded train), suggested that it was some sort of air leak, so maybe pushing was not possible.

Train Manager I'm fairly certain.

 

[Peter749]

There was a time when the following train would have pushed-through the failed train. is that not possible?

390s and 807s have different couplings/hights - an 805 could assist an 807 as they are both "Evero" units

 

[Markuk]

Hmm, an 807. It was another Hitachi IEP that was stationary in last night's incident at Bedford

 

[voyagerdude220]

Hmm, an 807. It was another Hitachi IEP that was stationary in last night's incident at Bedford

How's that relevant??!
Trains break down all the time.

 

[Acathater]

How's that relevant??!
Trains break down all the time.

I think he's musing that part of the cab damage to the second unit may have been due to mismatched buffer / coupling heights

 

[Markuk]

No, there have been various news reports of teething troubles with these trains causing them to have to go out of service, have systems rebooted etc. My point is that what happened at Wolveton was innocuous and inconvenient which is how it should be.

New Train Troubles Blamed for Market Harborough Rail Disruption – HFM https://share.google/rLQjKkHirVQHDMyND

East Midlands Railway runs 'dangerously full' train amid constant cancellations - Nottingham Post https://share.google/mAI79IRjbJiawrTEk

https://www.reddit.com/r/uktrains/s/399gn9ZJAL

 

[Jan Mayen]

I was on the Avanti train as well. I had asked if I could be let out at at Milton Keynes, but apparently they have to get permission from control. God knows why.....
Anyway, I choose to spend the night in a hotel in Birmingham rather than wait for a London train at Tamworth.

 

[357]

Hmm, an 807. It was another Hitachi IEP that was stationary in last night's incident at Bedford

Astute observation. You might be onto something. I've also noticed that both trains run on metal rails, both incidents also occurred on days that end in 'y' and involved trains painted in colors. Huge if true.