| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by John D at 20:01, 2nd January 2026 |     |
If ever there was a case for clearing the IETs via Basingstoke, Andover, Salisbury and Warminster today was good example for alternative emergency route (even if needing pilots as outside normal route knowledge)
I think they are already cleared Reading, Basingstoke, Eastleigh works, but possibly only as empty as not all platforms checked
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by Timmer at 20:00, 2nd January 2026 | |
Line reopened:
Following a safety inspection on a train earlier today between Westbury and Reading the line towards Reading has now reopened.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
(Snip)
Network Rail have now fixed the fault, and trains are able to run, but at a reduced speed.
While we can now run trains, we expect there to be significant disruption until the end of the day as our trains and crew are no longer in the right place, and there will be further cancellations and alterations.
Our advice remains to not attempt to travel on the following routes today:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
(Snip)
Network Rail have now fixed the fault, and trains are able to run, but at a reduced speed.
While we can now run trains, we expect there to be significant disruption until the end of the day as our trains and crew are no longer in the right place, and there will be further cancellations and alterations.
Our advice remains to not attempt to travel on the following routes today:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by Timmer at 19:29, 2nd January 2026 | |
As this has caused major disruption out of Paddington, here’s the last trains that ran to Bristol/South Wales and WoE
15.31 Paddington to Swansea via Bristol
15.59 Paddington to Taunton via Bristol
16.23 Paddington to Plymouth
The 18.59 Paddington to Weston-super-Mare is the first train to leave Paddington since the 16.23. Looks like the 19.52 will be the next service to Plymouth from London.
In the up direction, the 18.29 Weston-super-Mare to Paddington is the first train via Bristol running to London. From the WoE it’s the 16.50 from Plymouth.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by Timmer at 19:02, 2nd January 2026 | |
The last trains to make it through to London were:
11.27 Carmathan to Paddington (Bristol 14.30)
13.15 Plymouth to Paddington
Nothing since with disruption expected to end of service. Obviously this has had a major impact on services in the down direction out of Paddington.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by Mark A at 18:28, 2nd January 2026 | |
Ticket acceptance via Salisbury does now get a mention on National Rail's site.
Mark
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by John D at 18:18, 2nd January 2026 | |
Interesting there is no suggestion of travelling via Salisbury and Basingstoke.
Maybe DfT controlled SWR doesn't want the extra passengers due to lack of capacity on 158s and 159s
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by Mark A at 17:34, 2nd January 2026 | |
This doesn't sound good, and personally it risks scuppering my plan 'D'...
Mark
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:28, 2nd January 2026 | |
Latest;
Network Rail have staff making their way to site to inspect the line.
-
You are advised not to attempt to travel on the following routes:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
-
Until the line reopens we have had to effectively suspend our services between London, South Wales, Bristol and the West of England, in both directions.
-
What are your options?
-
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. You are advised not to attempt to travel on the affected routes today.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by Timmer at 17:07, 2nd January 2026 | |
From Journeycheck for the record:
Cancellations to services between Westbury and Reading
Due to a safety inspection of the track between Westbury and Reading the line towards Reading bound high speed is blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 18:00 02/01.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
We have had a report of a defect between Westbury and Pewsey. Trains cannot run over the affected line until it has been inspected.
Owing to planned engineering work and services being diverted this is affecting the following routes:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
What are we doing about it?
Network Rail have staff making their way to site to inspect the line.
What are your options?
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Below are the current options available to you:
Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible.
The only route available between South Wales and the West of England towards London Paddington is via Swindon. From Swindon to Didcot Parkway and Reading planned rail replacement is in operation. Given the increased number of customers that will now be travelling this way, you may have an extended wait to be able to board a coach at Swindon. We are trying to source additional coaches.
You may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on CrossCountry services between Plymouth and Bristol Parkway, there services are not affected by this problem.
Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
Due to a safety inspection of the track between Westbury and Reading the line towards Reading bound high speed is blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 18:00 02/01.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
We have had a report of a defect between Westbury and Pewsey. Trains cannot run over the affected line until it has been inspected.
Owing to planned engineering work and services being diverted this is affecting the following routes:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.
What are we doing about it?
Network Rail have staff making their way to site to inspect the line.
What are your options?
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today. Below are the current options available to you:
Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible.
The only route available between South Wales and the West of England towards London Paddington is via Swindon. From Swindon to Didcot Parkway and Reading planned rail replacement is in operation. Given the increased number of customers that will now be travelling this way, you may have an extended wait to be able to board a coach at Swindon. We are trying to source additional coaches.
You may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on CrossCountry services between Plymouth and Bristol Parkway, there services are not affected by this problem.
Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by Timmer at 17:02, 2nd January 2026 | |
Because of engineering work between Swindon and Didcot, everything from Bristol, South Wales and the WoE is going via the Berks and Hants today.
Whilst I was out for my afternoon walk that overlooks Westbury, I saw the 1500 Bristol to London come to a stop at Heywood Road Junction. Looking at RTT I could see that it wasn’t waiting for the another train so thought it was either train or line issue.
Looks like the wheels have well and truly come off with cancellations and trains terminating well short of London mounting. GWR are encouraging everyone to travel via Swindon to get a bus to either Didcot or Reading. Hope they can source some additional road transport.
| Re: Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by bobm at 17:00, 2nd January 2026 | |
With the line closed between Swindon and Didcot Parkway for engineering work there is no diversionary route.
| Defective track near Pewsey - 2 January 2026 Posted by TaplowGreen at 16:55, 2nd January 2026 | |
.........all cancelled as a result - not going to be much fun for those travelling to the South West tonight....
16:59 London Paddington to Taunton due 20:17
17:23 London Paddington to Plymouth due 21:25
17:52 London Paddington to Penzance due 23:00
18:23 London Paddington to Plymouth due 22:10
18:52 London Paddington to Penzance due 00:36
18:59 London Paddington to Weston-Super-Mare due 21:45
