Rail services largely restored across North West following Manchester power outage

Friday 7 Aug 2026

Rail services largely restored across North West following Manchester power outage

Region & Route:: North West & Central; | North West & Central: North West

Rail passengers are being advised that most train services across the North West are running this morning (Friday 7 August) following yesterday's power outage in Manchester, although some disruption remains.

The electricity supply outage* which affected signalling systems in Manchester yesterday (6 August) caused widespread disruption across the region, with delays and cancellations affecting services throughout the day.

Network Rail engineers worked through the night to restore signalling systems, with signalling fully restored late yesterday evening. Trains displaced by the disruption were also returned to nearby depots, allowing train operators to restart services this morning.

Network Rail is sorry to passengers whose journeys have been disrupted and would like to thank customers for their patience while engineers worked to recover the railway.

Most operators are running a full service this morning. However, some TransPennine Express services continue to be affected as trains and crew return to their normal positions following yesterday's disruption.

Passengers planning to travel this morning are advised to check before they travel using National Rail Enquiries or their train operator's website for the latest travel information.

Chris Wright, Network Rail's North West route director, said: "I'd like to thank passengers for their patience following yesterday's power outage and the disruption it caused across the North West.

"Our engineers worked through the night to restore signalling systems and recover the railway, and I'm pleased that most services are now running this morning. While some passengers may still experience disruption, we're continuing to work closely with train operators to return services to normal as quickly as possible.

"Anyone planning to travel this morning should continue to check before they travel for the latest information."

Notes to Editors

*SP Electricity North West’s website confirms a power cut took place at 13:41 in the Harpurhey area of East Manchester, impacting more than 400 postcodes. One of those affected was the site of our Manchester Rail Operating Centre.

Contact information

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Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
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Press Office
Network Rail
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

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