Media centre

Wednesday 9 Nov 2016

Thameslink and East Midlands Trains passengers advised to check before they travel

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Railway passengers are being advised to check before they travel in the morning (Wednesday 9 November) following issues with the overhead wires at Luton.

A piece of cable came into contact with the overhead wires at approximately 2:45pm on Tuesday. This caused a power failure and loss of signalling, which affected train services.

Network Rail engineers have been on site working to repair the problem, but this work is expected to run into the morning peak, affecting passengers on Thameslink and those using East Midlands Trains into London.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Owing to a piece of cable coming into contact with the overhead wires at Luton station there is currently a very limited train service through the area. We are working to repair the problem and get a full service running again as soon as possible, however this work is likely to continue into the morning peak. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and advise that passengers use an alternative route where possible and check with their train operator before they travel."

A Thameslink spokesperson said: "We'd like to apologise for the continued severe disruption so many of our passengers are experiencing. We are doing all we can to keep people updated through our web, app and Twitter feed and have extra staff out on the ground."

East Midlands Trains
At the current time, East Midlands Trains is expecting to be running a reduced service to and from London tomorrow morning whilst the repair work takes place. Customers are strongly advised to check before travel at http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/information/media/Disruption-Information/DELAYS-Luton-Bedford/

Thameslink
Thameslink passengers should expect severe disruption with a limited service of at most 3 trains per hour from Bedford to London St Pancras only in the morning peak and no cross-London trains expected beyond St Pancras. There is also expected to be a limited Thameslink service only from Wimbledon and Sutton into London Blackfriars while Sevenoaks services will run to Blackfriars and Victoria only. Trains from Brighton area also expected to be disrupted. Passengers are urged to use alternative routes wherever possible, including the Great Northern route from stations such as St Neots, Hitchin and Hatfield into London King's Cross. Thameslink car park season tickets will be valid at Great Northern stations and other Thameslink stations. Please check www.thameslinkrailway.com for more information.

Notes to editors
OLE (overhead line equipment) is what powers electric trains but in this case the signalling - the traffic lights of the railway - has been affected too
The wires which power trains have 'tripped' but are still intact and have not been ripped down"