Major disruption Preston area March 18

[GRALISTAIR]

Most trains are cancelled or heavily delayed in the Preston area ( as of March 18 2026 at 07.00). I personally witnessed Platforms clogged with trains going nowhere but did not take a picture. Rail replacement busses are nowhere to be seen.

I have attached two pictures. First one is of an information screen at Preston station showing the mass of cancelled trains or delays. Second photo is my cell phone email with my train to Manchester Airport cancelled from Trainline.

I was heading for a plane/train day out but so uncertain and heavily disrupted I headed back home. (Car in the carpark at Preston) Suspect damaged OHLE ( now confirmed)

 

[Leyland Bus]

Most trains are cancelled or heavily delayed. Some examples attached. Don’t know more details at Preston. Suspect damaged OHLE

Staff at Oxford Rd this morning saying the Over Heads are down around Preston, the 0606 Blackpool North train was only running as far as Buckshaw Parkway.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Wonder just how far the 0548 Avanti departure Southbound from the now partially re-opened Glasgow Central station will get?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Platforms were mostly blocked at Preston with trains. Definitely major disruption.

 

[Scotrail344Lad]

Is the sleeper still stuck at Lancaster?

 

[800001]

Picture attached shows damage to the wire and bonding.
(Picture from an employee of railway).

 

[sonic2009]

Is the sleeper still stuck at Lancaster?

Looks that it's been there since 0355, currently in P4 at Lancaster

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Picture attached shows damage to the wire and bonding.
(Picture from an employee of railway).

That is a headspan so a more involved repair needed I would think.

 

[td97]

Services yesterday evening (17/03) were heavily disrupted in the same area

 

[D1537]

Looks that it's been there since 0355, currently in P4 at Lancaster

Moving again now, 244 late.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

NRE is suggesting Manchester-Preston via Blackburn is an option. This is a diesel route, but it must mean the OHLE issues are between Farington Curve Jn and Euxton Jn (ie through Leyland).
So Preston should be accessible from the north (if there is platform space).
.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

So Preston should be accessible from the north (if there is platform space).

Platform space was fast running out while I was there at 07.00 .

 

[D1537]

It appears things are moving again.

1M16 has just passed Leyland going south on the fast line, and 1S36 is about to do so northbound on the slows.

 

[sonic2009]

Indeed things seem to be moving again, 1N54 Manchester Airport to Blackpool North is waiting to come onto WCML at Euxton Jn on its way for Preston.

 

[hexagon789]

NRE is suggesting Manchester-Preston via Blackburn is an option. This is a diesel route, but it must mean the OHLE issues are between Farington Curve Jn and Euxton Jn (ie through Leyland).
So Preston should be accessible from the north (if there is platform space).
.

As I understood it, the OLE was damaged on the Down Fast at Leyland.

Initially, all lines were blocked.

Last last night, the slows appeared to re-open.

About an hour ago or so, the Up Fast re-opened.

The Down Fast appears to be still blocked.

 

[johntea]

I’m on the 08:17 Manchester Airport to Blackpool North and all good so far…although my ticket was actually for the 07:48 which was cancelled

Probably the first time I’ve been on the way to Blackpool where the sky is blue and the sun is out actually

 

[GT3]

Massive amount of signalling equipment damaged due to the de-wirement.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

3 rail replacement busses at Preston, things are still not quite back to normal.

I am back on the station at 11.10 and can confirm

 

[KNN]

3 rail replacement busses at Preston, things are still not quite back to normal.

I am back on the station at 11.10 and can confirm

I've been told that NR are expecting it will be fixed by about 3. But I would prepare for disruption for the rest of the day.

 

[Coleridge]

I'm on the 0852 from Edinburgh to Euston, which was held at Preston for 10 minutes and left 15 late. I'll miss my connection to Cardiff at Crewe, which means a very significant Delay Repay claim heading Avanti's way this evening. At least that'll make up for the lack of catering in first class (staff shortage) and lack of hot drinks (machine broken).

 

[Howardh]

Making my way from Bolton to Windermere, on the 1153 Avanti from Preston. Slow progress, expect to miss my connection at Oxenholme unless it's held. The TPE behind got held up around Chorley.
Basically things are moving and I hope all is relatively normal by the evening!
AS I write we're stopped again!

 

[jfollows]

1M16 sleepers finally arrived at Euston 12:34 after a trundle via Bescot given that it can no longer gain time by using the Trent Valley unless there are no passengers for Birmingham International.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Wonder just how far the 0548 Avanti departure Southbound from the now partially re-opened Glasgow Central station will get?

Did make it to London Euston, albeit 22 mins down, having run fast from Stafford, omitting its usual stops in the West Midlands.

 

[Deepgreen]

So, the third consecutive day of major disruptions on Anglo-Scottish routes, leaving aside the Glasgow Central closure! Grim. Presumably another train-related OHLE failure, as the weather has been benign.

 

[TheHovisKid]

1M16 sleepers finally arrived at Euston 12:34 after a trundle via Bescot given that it can no longer gain time by using the Trent Valley unless there are no passengers for Birmingham International.

I saw that leave Lancaster on my way to work. Grand, I thought, it'll all be right later when I finish.

No. What was I thinking. Of course it won't. I'm not optimistic for tomorrow morning.