A fault on a train at Watford Junction means that lines are blocked. As a result, services running to / from and through this station may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until 08:00.
Southern customer advice:
Trains are unable to run between Watford Junction and Shepherds Bush. A train has developed a fault at Watford Junction, requiring a rescue unit to move it. As a result, stock and crew have been displaced and has further halted services from running. Your journey will be delayed by at least 20 minutes, and you will need to use an alternative method of transport. Please check journey planners for the latest information regarding your intended service.
The following stations will have no Southern service:
- Imperial Wharf
- West Brompton
- Kensington Olympia
- Shepherds Bush
- Wembley Central
- Harrow & Wealdstone
- Watford Junction
You will need to use alternative services to reach these stations. Please be aware that London Overground and other railway operators in this area may also be impacted.
You can use your ticket at no extra cost on:
- London Northwestern Railway services between Tring and London Euston for Watford Junction, Harrow & Wealdstone and Wembley Central and also between St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction for services towards London St Pancras International
- Avanti West Coast services between Watford Junction and Watford Junction
- Chiltern Railway between Harrow-on-the-Hill, Wembley Stadium and London Marylebone
- London Overground services between Watford Junction and London Euston for Harrow & Wealdstone and Wembley Central, and also between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction for Shepherds Bush, Kensington Olympia, West Brompton and Imperial Wharf
- London Buses between Watford Junction and Clapham Junction
- London Underground services on any reasonable route including routes via - London Euston - The Central Line for Shepherds Bush - The Bakerloo Line for Wembley Central and Harrow & Wealdstone - The Metropolitan Line for Wembley Park and Harrow on the Hill - The District Line for West Brompton and Kensington Olympia - The Jubilee Line for Stanmore and a bus connection to Watford Junction on London Bus 142
Planning your journey:
You can view a live map of the network here and alternative route guide here. If you're travelling in the London area, you can plan journeys on alternative routes by using the TfL Journey Planner here.
Can you tell me more about the incident?
The 05:54 Watford Junction to East Croydon service has developed a fault. The nature of the issue means it can't move, so it's blocking the line through this area towards East Croydon.
It's likely that in this case, teams will need to send specialist engineers to site, known as "fitters". Southern have fitters based in key locations around the network, 24 hours a day, and they are able to attend anywhere on our routes. Once they are on site, they will then monitor progress updates and ensure that the railway can be reopened as promptly as possible.
Southern may also need to send another train to tow the defective one away. This procedure, known as arranging a rescue train, will be done as quickly as possible, usually by sending a similar type of train to attach. The combined train will be taken out of use and sent to a depot.
Until the defective train can be moved, Southern will try to find a way to get other trains around the issue. This depends how many lines are available, and whether the signalling equipment is set up to allow trains to be routed around the problem. This is more often the case on our major routes, but not always. Southern will work with Network Rail's controllers to decide how many more trains can be sent through the area, and if this isn't possible, they will see what alternative solutions are available to help you continue your journey.
Check before you travel:
You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.
Compensation:
You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.