Heatwave 22-27 June - effect on the UK Railway

[trainophile]

Lineside fire at Flint earlier today caused major disruption and cancellations, including my 14:22 from Chester. Should have been back in Hereford over two hours ago, just about to arrive now.

 

[800002]

But we could do better, if we invested more in infrastructure and railway management and staff had a better attitude towards maintaining the service.

You appear to be in the minority of folk willing to pay for such a service.
Are you willing to contribute more toward this?
I know the county should be doing this... but if those in power thought they could,, they would. If they wanted.

There are still only half the usual trains running from my local station today, even though the temperature is now back down in the mid-20s. That's poor.

Entirely subjective, here....
In extremis, you may well be in the centre of chaos or the eye of the storm, type scenario.
Trains round your way may simply be passing through from A to Z, at whicb either end may be severely under the cosh.

Did you have high temps the last 48 hours?
Could your local operator(s) be struggling to get things back to 'usual' which a higher than usual backlog of maintenance issues?
Does the infrastructure need to be recovered form a failed / restricted state?

(Round here, the temp could drop dramatically overnight, but the rails ain't getting repaired till it's safe to do so).

Sorry but I’m not having that. Literally everyone I know in railway management and staff involved in service provison has been working their socks off this week. Given the constraints we have on the GB railway, and the intensity of which it is used, it has been extremely hard going.

May have telegraphed this one...
But, seconded / thirded / fourthed(depending on how many other posts have been added in support.
Control / planning / maintenance/ delivery / operations teams have been on there knees for days coping with this.
(Could it have been done better, undoubtedly in places. Is this level of response usual and expected for the railway... absolutely.
They don't put strongly worded 'advisorys' for no reason).

(Apologies. It's been a long week!).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jun 2026 ==

Impressive to see track workers out at key locations on the WCML south these past few days.
On Wednesday was cautioned past Ledburn Junction which had a team of P-Way looking after it, and yesterday noticed a P-Way gang at Watford Junction with a track measuring gauge.

In sure, sometimes, the railway can only remain open with these types of folk willing to do what's nessesary.
Without a watchman, track would not be used in certain circumstances. Even checking between trains, which slow some folk down, but it keeps everyone safe by enureing the known limitations aren't breached.
It's far from easy.

 

[beefqueen]

Signal failure at Chalkwell (Southend) means no trains running past Leigh-on-Sea. Unclear if weather-related but massive disruption for Southend. (Is it too much to ask c2c to explain why there has been a signal failure?)

 

[mickey]

The service has not been great these last few days, of course, and we can do better. But “attitude“ is not an issue.

Completely agree. As non-staff I’ve seen some very challenging experiences this week with significant disruption and much longer journey times than usual, but you could tell that everyone - both front and back office - were trying their best to run what they can where they can. Tbh it makes a nice change to see everyone working together that way, it’s not often you can say it.

 

[Watershed]

It's not been mentioned here, but Heathrow (HAL) has been having a torrid time of it.

There's been a reduced service to Terminal 4 for the Elizabeth line since Tuesday, but for much of yesterday Terminals 2/3 were closed due to issues reportedly with sewage and right now Terminal 5 is closed due to some sort of water ingress issue. There's been an ongoing track circuit failure for days now too.

It's not entirely clear these are all related to the hot weather, but the timing is oddly convenient.

Heathrow Express have actually said very little other than "Due to an incident outside of our control..."

PS: I also love how this page seemingly deliberately has no reference to the Elizabeth line as an option at all, calling the Piccadilly line the "next quickest"!

Yes, the comms from HX have been appalling today. Not even providing basic information such as ticket acceptance or an ETA for resolution, and ignoring social media queries. No advisory to those who have booked HX tickets through their own website.

You would expect a lot better from a TOC ostensibly providing a 'premium' service. Is their Control/social media shared with GWR as with the operational side? It's one thing when these things go wrong but the way it's handled really makes the difference.

 

[Class 466]

Good of XC to provide you with an external temperature on their information system. Is it to let you know that it’s still cooler outside than onboard?

Photo is of the external display on a Class 220 Voyager stating “outside temp 32°C”

 

[800002]

Good of XC to provide you with an external temperature on their information system. Is it to let you know that it’s still cooler outside than onboard?

Photo is of the external display on a Class 220 Voyager stating “outside temp 32°C”

Must say, that's a new one.

I've been seeing a few 'customised displays on the bodyside panels recently.

Not sure on how long (i assume) the TMs have been able to do this?
Assuming it is customised?

 

[td97]

Northern have now binned off 300+ services on Saturday, where highs of 27°C are expected. Has a significant portion of the rolling stock failed over the last few days, such that it is not available for introduction tomorrow?
Some services look to be reinstated e.g. Rochdale to Blackburn

 

[Peterthegreat]

Northern have now binned off 300+ services on Saturday, where highs of 27°C are expected. Has a significant portion of the rolling stock failed over the last few days, such that it is not available for introduction tomorrow?
Some services look to be reinstated e.g. Rochdale to Blackburn

In addition to the planned cancellations there have been numerous cancellations throughout the day due to train faults.
Not a good day in all.

 

[kje7812]

Revisiting the topic of Heritage railways, Llangollen railway has cancelled their services.
Severn Valley has cut the number of steam locos in use as a preventive measure. It was due to be 4 steam and 1 diesel tomorrow (1940s weekend), now it is 2 steam and 3 diesels. The two steam remaining (4930 and 13268) are the most reliable in hot weather for not causing fires.

 

[SECR 65]

Revisiting the topic of Heritage railways, Llangollen railway has cancelled their services.
Severn Valley has cut the number of steam locos in use as a preventive measure. It was due to be 4 steam and 1 diesel tomorrow (1940s weekend), now it is 2 steam and 3 diesels. The two steam remaining (4930 and 13268) are the most reliable in hot weather for not causing fires.

The Bluebell Railway is running the full planned steam service for Model Railway Weekend, but using 5MT 73082 Camelot vice Bulleid 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair.

There is however a 15mph TSR for about 2 miles which will kill off the time-keeping of an already tight timetable. This is due to the risk of track movement in what is the worst track on the line / next to be relayed.

Hopefully 2999 Lady of Legend won't cause any fires like it has done before - the set is only about 130 tons though being wooden stock.

 

[Spartacus]

Northern have now binned off 300+ services on Saturday, where highs of 27°C are expected. Has a significant portion of the rolling stock failed over the last few days, such that it is not available for introduction tomorrow?
Some services look to be reinstated e.g. Rochdale to Blackburn

It’s off my area but I was told by a colleague who deals with the Eastern side that cancellations due to faults, often air-con have been perhaps the worst they’ve been today.

 

[kez19]

I was caught out earlier at Seaton East/Meadowmill on the 0530 London-Aberdeen service, I didn’t get to Dundee til 1240(ish) as had been an hour to get into Edinburgh due to lightning strikes earlier (credit due LNER were great and delay repay back, my journey was generally was down to Newcastle from Monday but I needed to get back today and glad train wasn’t cancelled but I think messaging could have been worded a bit better). I understand it was worded not to travel route but yet under same breath the focus became more from London-Lincoln-Leeds not for other areas outwith ie Newcastle/Edinburgh/Glasgow/Inverness (that’s my interpretation but I did check regularly up to leaving this morning and train wasn’t cancelled)

I understand the “do not travel” message but for myself I rather got home today than become stuck and if then add any weekend engineering works, the only time I had to leave a day early was that storm last February? I was glad I did as then the winds picked up

 

[jfowkes]

Well as bad as it was at Nottingham today, it was even worse at Leicester. I think both platforms 1 and 2 went out of action forcing everything to use 3 and 4. Lots of confusion and delay. Then as my XC was pulling in it had to stop suddenly because I think someone nearly fell off the platform, adding yet more stress for everyone.
I thought I would miss my connection at Peterborough but then it was cancelled anyway. I guess sometimes when God closes a door he also puts a "keep out" sign on it for good measure.

 

[Strathclyder]

Up in Glasgow/Strathclyde, the only major disruption I can see is the wires being brought down somewhere in the South Side (ScotRail cites it as being between Glasgow Central & Crossmyloof*) this morning, thus causing both Glasgow South Western/East Kilbride & Cathcart Circle timetables to more or less totally fall apart or be suspended outright (virtually nothing to/from Kilmarnock all day) for the rest of today. Going from this attached image, it's not looking like it's gonna be a quick fix and I wouldn't rate the chances of a full service operating on that part of the Glasgow network tomorrow very highly at all.



*: Going off of another image I found on Reddit, I'm fairly certain was a Central-bound 320 that brought them down just after passing Pollokshields East station. In that image if you look at the stanchion in the bottom-centre of the image beside the unit, you can see the supporting arm for the wires themselves have been bent backwards in the direction the train was going. Clearly the pantograph got snagged and took the knitting with it.

 

[Bald Rick]

Up in Glasgow/Strathclyde, the only major disruption I can see is the wires being brought down somewhere in the South Side (ScotRail cites it as being between Glasgow Central & Crossmyloof*) this morning, thus causing both Glasgow South Western/East Kilbride & Cathcart Circle timetables to more or less totally fall apart or be suspended outright (virtually nothing to/from Kilmarnock all day) for the rest of today. Going from this attached image, it's not looking like it's gonna be a quick fix and I wouldn't rate the chances of a full service operating on that part of the Glasgow network tomorrow very highly at all.

View attachment 206733

*: Going off of another image I found on Reddit, I'm fairly certain was a Central-bound 320 that brought them down just after passing Pollokshields East station. In that image if you look at the stanchion in the bottom-centre of the image beside the unit, you can see the supporting arm for the wires themselves have been bent backwards in the direction the train was going. Clearly the pantograph got snagged and took the knitting with it.

Easy job. Will be runnign by the morning.

 

[Inafinus]

My travel was essential… but now I’m doubting anything could be this critical.

1. Originally due to travel 15:00 to Manchester from Bristol, and onwards to Edinburgh
2. That train was cancelled last night, but I managed to get a seat and bike reservation on the 12:00 service
3. This left on time but picked up an hour delay en route, eventually terminating at New Street
4. This was absolute pandemonium, with barely enough room for all passengers on a succession of Manchester trains, let alone my stupid bike
5. The super helpful and kind Avanti team said I should just travel by whatever means north, and booked my bike onto an Edinburgh service
6. Somehow in all of this chaos I lost the BRI > MAN portion of my many tickets, adding to my stress (not that a single ticket had been checked today!)
7. However this looked shaky, so I was advised to get on the earlier service, and did with bike in tow…until it was cancelled due to an AC fault in Wolverhampton
8. Chaos ensued when we were told a replacement unit was coming, but then the original unit was put back into service?!
9. In the meantime some cyclists with booked spaces arrived, so I and a few others were quite firmly told not to board
10. We waited another 30 minutes and got on board the very late running Glasgow service. This was running fine until Preston, where the crew change was delayed 30 odd minutes because the driver and manager were delayed coming from the north
11. I’m now pulling into Carlisle and should just make it onto the 23:45 service to Edinburgh, with a short cycle out to Musselburgh to finish an epic day‘s journey. 13/14 hours door to door will be a new record for my regular journeys north

In fairness, everyone has been very helpful save for the clearly stressed train manager in Wolverhampton, and I’m going to get where I need to be despite it all.

My only complaint, though this isn’t specific to today, is the insistence on physical tickets if booking a bike. I really must get into the habit of booking these after the fact.

 

[D1511]

Well, it turns out that Avanti did cancel 9S80.....at Preston. (And 9S93 behind it at Euston for good measure, so bad luck edinburgers). Then a VSTP appeared.......9Z80 Wolverhampton - Edinburgh.......but starting at Carlisle. It has just passed Lockerbie 186 late.......
Meanwhile, after opting for 9S77 to Glasgow Central and lugging my bag on wheels across to Queen St, I got to Edinburgh at 21.33.
9Z80 will get to Edinburgh at around 23.30.

 

[Inafinus]

I’m on board this very service. The gap for the 23:45 to Edinburgh is closing but I will make it come what may!

 

[D1511]

1 minute short of 3 hours late
However, not the worst Edinburgh today.....9M56 was 235 late

 

[Inafinus]

We just made the Edinburgh train. My partner was on foot and we did a very unpleasant sprint and just caught it with a minute to spare, along with the other waifs and strays left on that service. Serves me right! Hopefully things are better by Thursday, eh?

 

[Russel]

Do not travel messages are frowned upon by those in DfT apparently.

Has anyone told the TOC's?

All trams in Sheffield have been withdrawn from service due to heat causing safety concerns.

I've seen that they are telling people to get the bus instead, not sure what I make of that.

 

[Strathclyder]

Easy job. Will be runnign by the morning.

Aye. Think replacing the 320's pantograph may end up taking longer lol

 

[Snow1964]

GWR website still has a cancellations on all routes warning currently (Saturday morning), even though some parts of its network were never in any red warning areas, and all west of Reading hasn't been red since Thursday.

I understand so far today 120+ cancellations and 60+ trains operating only part of the route.

So although very hot weather has finished, still seen to be struggling to get back to normality. Not great when earlier in week were asking passengers to defer journey to days including today. So really should be expecting both normal Saturday passengers and proportion of the deferred passengers. Thus if anything should be adding services, not cutting them.

Although modern railway is better in many ways, the pace of recovery from incidents seems to be getting slower and slower

 

[800301]

GWR website still has a cancellations on all routes warning currently (Saturday morning), even though some parts of its network were never in any red warning areas, and all west of Reading hasn't been red since Thursday.

I understand so far today 120+ cancellations and 60+ trains operating only part of the route.

So although very hot weather has finished, still seen to be struggling to get back to normality. Not great when earlier in week were asking passengers to defer journey to days including today. So really should be expecting both normal Saturday passengers and proportion of the deferred passengers. Thus if anything should be adding services, not cutting them.

Although modern railway is better in many ways, the pace of recovery from incidents seems to be getting slower and slower

Didcot stoppers part of KRS not to use points between Pad and Reading so they will either terminate at Reading or run fast Pad-Reading and same with Oxfords not running, all Worcester’s running relief line between Reading and Didcot as well along with a few other things

 

[Coleridge]

34 cancellations already on Crosscountry today, including all services between Cardiff and Birmingham, where it is currently 19 degrees.

I'd hate to see what a "poor service" looks like!



Here in Wales, still no service between Penarth and Coryton because of "extreme weather". It was 26 degrees yesterday and currently 19 degrees.

There really needs to be an inquiry into the way in which the rail industry falls to pieces so easily and so frequently, and why it takes days to recover.

 

[Snow1964]

Didcot stoppers part of KRS not to use points between Pad and Reading so they will either terminate at Reading or run fast Pad-Reading and same with Oxfords not running, all Worcester’s running relief line between Reading and Didcot as well along with a few other things

But we are now back to normal summer month temperature ranges, so why is disruption continuing, that's the message the rail industry is failing to communicate to the public.

I know members of this forum can (to the speciality audience) explain what happened during extreme heat, but no one seems to have a good explanation of why it didn't finish soon after red areas expired 12 hours ago. Sort of feels like railway isn't very good at recovering from its voluntary decision not to use certain points, but no one wants to admit it.

Logically if points are not to be used (fair enough during red weather) when decision was made to not use them, it doesn't seem like how the prompt restoration at end of red period was properly thought through, so now don't seem to be able to return to normal quickly. It's disjointed (or incompetent) planning, can take them out of service, without working out how to get them restarted promptly when the extreme part is over.

 

[speedy1]

edit: oops, searched harder, seems more than just TfW

How is the signal failure "between Manchester Piccadilly and Wilmslow" (and also "at Piccadilly") only affecting TfW services? Heat related...?

 

[Benjwri]

But we are now back to normal summer month temperature ranges, so why is disruption continuing, that's the message the rail industry is failing to communicate to the public.

I know members of this forum can (to the speciality audience) explain what happened during extreme heat, but no one seems to have a good explanation of why it didn't finish soon after red areas expired 12 hours ago. Sort of feels like railway isn't very good at recovering from its voluntary decision not to use certain points, but no one wants to admit it.

Logically if points are not to be used (fair enough during red weather) when decision was made to not use them, it doesn't seem like how the prompt restoration at end of red period was properly thought through, so now don't seem to be able to return to normal quickly. It's disjointed (or incompetent) planning, can take them out of service, without working out how to get them restarted promptly when the extreme part is over.

Except the simple answer is it still isn’t really ‘normal’ ranges where those points are. It’s expected to get up to around 31-32C in the Slough area.

The only bit they could do better explaining is how rails cool. You talk about ending promptly when the warning finishes but when it is as warm as it was for most of last night the rails simply struggle to cool down. They don’t instantly become fine when the red warning finishes.

 

[Class 466]

Northern have now binned off 300+ services on Saturday, where highs of 27°C are expected. Has a significant portion of the rolling stock failed over the last few days, such that it is not available for introduction tomorrow?
Some services look to be reinstated e.g. Rochdale to Blackburn

Bizarrely the Hadfield Line is back to full service, but the Rose Hill Marple services are not