We find out exactly what happened at London Euston as the MD of West Coast Mainline South route apologises for huge delays and disruption.
Meanwhile, rail unions are calling for urgent action from politicians over the coronavirus outbreak.
Here’s this week’s round-up:
What happened at London Euston?
Passengers travelling to and from London will have noticed and been impacted by delays and cancellations over the past few days.
James Dean, Managing Director of West Coast Mainline South route, has apologised this week, after damage to overhead lines in the South Kenton area in Wembley, London, caused widespread problems for passengers.
On Saturday 7 March a rail service travelling at 125mph brought down 1,000 metres of overhead wires in the South Kenton area in Wembley. Read the full breakdown of what happened plus what Mr Dean had to say regarding delays.
Rail unions call for urgent action over coronavirus on public transport
The general secretary of Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), Miguel Cortes, is urging the Government to convene a summit this week to discuss measures to stop the spread of coronavirus across public transport.
The comments follow an emergency COBRA meeting held by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which decided the UK would remain in the ‘containment’ phase of its response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Ministers announced that ‘social distancing’ measures would not be introduced at this time. Read the full story here.
Transport for London office worker tests positive for coronavirus
An office-based Transport for London (TfL) employee has tested positive for coronavirus, the government body has confirmed.
In a statement released by TfL, the organisation said: “We are working closely with Public Health England and are following their advice after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
“The safety of our staff and customers is our top priority, so we are taking all necessary precautions and a deep clean has taken place within the building used by the staff member.” Read the full story here.
MoD traffic returns to Mid-Norfolk Railway for first time since 2009
The Mid-Norfolk Railway welcomed the return of military freight traffic last week to its Wymondham to Dereham heritage line.
After a successful season in 2019, which saw plenty of summer steam journeys and a busy Polar Express special schedule over Christmas, one of the longest preserved railways in the UK saw sixteen wheeled, armoured vehicles, including Jackals and Panthers, transported along the line for the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.
The vehicles had been used by the soldiers of the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards during the last month, while testing their skills during Exercise Wessex Storm on Salisbury Plain. Watch the traffic return to the Dereham Heritage line, plus more here.
Women’s Aid offer free rail travel to women fleeing domestic abuse
Women fleeing domestic abuse can now apply for free train travel to refuge accommodation, as part of a new ‘rail to refuge’ scheme launched by charity Women’s Aid.
The scheme, supported by Southeastern and Great Western Railway, is designed to help women who are usually advised to seek refuge services away from their perpetrator but struggle to raise money to pay for travel.
Women’s Aid is removing the barrier, by offering free rail travel for women seeking refuge services. Tickets will be able to be obtained through bespoke services within the Southeastern and Great Wester Railway networks. Read the full story.
Duke of Gloucester pays visit to Peterborough Railworld Wildlife Haven
Railway apprentices at the Railworld Wildlife Haven were greeted with a royal visit in Peterborough as HRH Duke of Gloucester met volunteers, children, trainers and apprentices at the site.
Regular stream trains operate over the historic line from Nene Valley Railway to Peterborough, along an 8 mile stretch of track.
The railway has impressively featured in many television series such as London’s Burning and stunts in the James Bond films Octopussy and Goldeneye. Read the full story.
Get your weekend service updates:
Great Western Railway
- No Great Western Railway or Southern services at Eastleigh until further notice.
- Buses replace trains between Salisbury and Romsey until Thursday 30 April.
Island Line
- Reduced Island Line service until the end of service on Sunday 15 March.
Northern
- Disruption between Leeds and Goole until at least the end of the day on Saturday 14 March.
ScotRail
- Partial closure between Kilmarnock and Carlisle until Monday 16 March.
South Western Railway
- Buses replace trains between Salisbury and Romsey until Thursday 30 April.
Southern
- Line closed between Lingfield and East Grinstead until Monday 30 March.
- No Great Western Railway or Southern services at Eastleigh until further notice.
- Partial closure between Redhill and Tonbridge until Monday 16 March.
Thameslink
- Line closed between Lingfield and East Grinstead until Monday 30 March.
Transport for Wales
- Disruption between Machynlleth and Harlech until the end of the day.
- Buses replace trains between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno Junction until further notice.
London Overground
- Sat 14 and Sun 15 March: New Cross Gate to Crystal Palace and West Croydon
- Sun 15 March: Wandsworth Road to Clapham Junction,Camden Road to Stratford, after 21:45, Highbury & Islington to Dalston Junction, after 22:00
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