6th Dec .. Peterborough to Alexandra Palace and back again

[Basil Jet]

The trains leaving Peterborough at 1524 and arriving at Peterborough at 1805 are supposed to be different diagrams and are not even supposed to call at Alexandra Palace, but today they terminated/started there and turned via Hornsey Sidings. Does anyone know why? This must have been part of a much bigger disruption.

 

[Robski]

Significant shortage of train drivers today.

On Wednesday 6 December, fewer trains are running than usual. We strongly advise you to check your journey in advance and ensure your train is running.

Trains which do run are expected to be much busier than usual, and may be subject to short-notice disruption - Trains may be cancelled or revised at short notice, especially in the late afternoon into the evening.

Southern and Gatwick Express - No services, except a shuttle service calling at London Victoria and Gatwick Airport Only. These services will also call at East Croydon after 14:00 and until the end of the day.

Thameslink and Great Northern

A further revised service, expect short notice cancellations so plan ahead and check your journey carefully.

[...]

North of London

• Fewer trains will run between London and Cambridge. If you are travelling to stations towards Cambridge will need to travel from London Kings Cross. Services which normally run direct between Brighton and Cambridge have been suspended
• Trains which normally run between Peterborough and Horsham will instead run between Peterborough and London Kings Cross, with some running between Peterborough and Alexandra Palace

[...]

Can you tell me more about the incident?

Industrial action on Wednesday 6 December means that Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express have fewer train crew available than usual. Direct services between Cambridge and Haywards Heath have been cancelled, please check planners before travelling.

 

[Magdalia]

The trains leaving Peterborough at 1524 and arriving at Peterborough at 1805 are supposed to be different diagrams and are not even supposed to call at Alexandra Palace, but today they terminated/started there and turned via Hornsey Sidings. Does anyone know why? This must have been part of a much bigger disruption.

The Alexandra Palace turnrounds, via the Hornsey flyover, were at times when there was no platform capacity at Kings Cross.