Trains canceled last: Travel disrupted across the UK after fires and record temperatures

Images shared by Network Rail show signaling equipment for level crossings that have literally melted after yesterday’s record high temperatures resulted in fires across the Southeast.

“We ask you to check your travels before traveling on the East Coast Main Line today because we expect serious disruption,” it tweeted along with the photos.

“We are repairing the line after a fire on the route between Peterborough and London King’s Cross.”

Passengers left a train stuck in a tunnel at Birmingham New Street and walked along the tracks to the platform yesterday.

The West Midlands Railway train was on its way from Lichfield to New Street on Tuesday afternoon when it stopped after overhead power lines were damaged by the extreme heat.

Passengers were stuck on board the train for over an hour before several of them decided to get off and walk along the railway line to the platform.

All trains out of King’s Cross have been canceled this morning.

The first service from the station in North London that is currently displayed as “on time” is the 12:00 Eastern Railway service to Inverness, followed by the 12.03 service to Leeds.

A 12.12 Great Northern train to Ely is also announced as running as usual.

“There is a serious disruption of services between London King’s Cross and Peterborough this morning,” the station tweeted.

“A fire that spread to the railway has caused damage to signaling equipment near Sandy.

“Check with your train operator before you travel.”

As most of the West Coast’s services have been canceled this morning, Euston station has seen a “rampage” for trains that are still running, reports ITV journalist Paul Brand.

He shared photos and video on social media, showing hundreds of travelers trying to board available services.

“Scenes at Euston this morning where the trains continue to be so disturbed by the heat that the vast majority of west coast services have been canceled … causing a certain storm for one of the trains running,” he tweeted.

“The staff had to shout at people not to run while running for a seat on the train.

“People this morning were still paying £ 140 for what they did not know would be the privilege of their journey. Dozens in our carriage did not fit (keep an eye on everyone who needs mine more than me). “

The West Coast’s main line, which connects the south of Scotland, the North West of England and the West Midlands with London Euston, has a wide range of problems.

The Caledonian Sleeper, which normally connects Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William with London Euston, has been suspended. Passengers spent the night on board trains held in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Avanti West Coast, the main operator, says: “Extreme heat has caused major damage to the railway infrastructure on the Avanti West Coast network.” The current disturbance affects:

• Carlisle-Lancaster due to severe damage to the overhead power lines. All lines are currently blocked.
• Birmingham New Street: Severe damage to the electrical wiring in the Birmingham New Street area. All lines are currently blocked. Trains in the affected area will be canceled or diverted.
• Watford-Harrow: Repairs are underway in the Hatch End area following damage caused by fires yesterday.

No trains run north from St Pancras. The only possible destinations from one of the UK’s central railway hubs are Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Kent, on the HS1 line.

“This is to allow full safety inspection of the tracks to take place in the morning,” said the East Midlands Railway.

“Please check your trip before you travel.”

Meanwhile, announcements from neighboring London King’s Cross indicated that some trains may run from 1 p.m. 12.00 and beyond.

British Airways charges more than £ 400 one way for flights between Scotland and London.

The east coast and the west coast’s main railway lines are both blocked, and the Caledonian Sleeper served as a station hotel overnight.

The cheapest BA ticket from Edinburgh to London Heathrow is £ 420. A slightly cheaper flight early in the evening to London City is £ 399.

The afternoon flight easyJet to London Luton was quickly sold out when the extent of the railway closures became clear.

To London Stansted, easyJet has an evening departure priced at £ 147.

Trains run in large parts of the UK – but often with significant delays. About half of the Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester trains to and from London Liverpool Street run, while the rest are delayed.

Brighton’s connections to London and along the coast to Portsmouth and Southampton operate close to normal.

London Paddington has some cancellations to and from South Wales and the West of England, with GWR trains from Cornwall up to an hour late.

At Cardiff Central, trains run to and from Swansea and West Wales, Crewe and the Valleys with some delays.

Network Rail warned of “very limited and disrupted services” to and from London Marylebone – but many train connections on the lines appear to be in reasonable shape.

The Chiltern’s 12.15 train from Birmingham Moor Street to the London Marylebone capital arrived a few minutes early just after 3pm, while the trains from Aylesbury and Oxford were up to 20 minutes late.

Southeast trains from London to Kent run mostly on time, with some delays on the connection from Charing Cross and London Bridge.

Many of the UK’s most important intercity rail lines are closed to passenger trains as record temperatures cause chaos.

The East Coast’s main line from London King’s Cross to Leeds and York is closed to passenger trains all day. All LNER, Lumo, Hull Trains and Grand Central services are suspended south of Yorkshire.

At the adjacent St Pancras International, East Midlands Railway connections to Leicester have been suspended – although some trains run on the Midland main line north to Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield.

Network Rail has issued a unique “no travel” warning for routes north from London. Jake Kelly, Network Rail’s chief operating officer, warned that travel within the Met Office’s “red zone” would be “long, disruptive and unpleasant”. He said: “Our best advice is to stay home and re-plan your trip.”