North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025

[whole diary]

[Worcester_Passenger]

11:55 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 14:24 has been reinstated.
It will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to the train departing late to maintain customer connections.

This seems an odd explanation. The train arrived at Evesham +6 but departed +27.  Not a lot of connections on offer at Evesham.

[charles_uk]

11:55 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 14:24 has been reinstated.
It will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to the train departing late to maintain customer connections.

This seems an odd explanation. The train arrived at Evesham +6 but departed +27.  Not a lot of connections on offer at Evesham.

The previous London bound service (1P22 1050 Great Malvern to London Paddington) departed Moreton-in-Marsh on time but, according to RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website), left Kingham 65 minutes late - a possible reason for the the 11:55 being held at Evesham?

[Worcester_Passenger]

Not many connections between Moreton and Kingham either!

[Worcester_Passenger]

Sunday December 21

1W15 07:36 London Paddington to Great Malvern (10:15) : held Reading (+27), Wolvercote (+35), Evesham (+54), arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +55 and cancelled thereafter. Ascott - Evesham scheduled 30, actual 35.

10:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 13:24 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to earlier engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:21/12/2025 10:17

09:50 London Paddington to Hereford due 12:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:21/12/2025 09:36

14:28 Hereford to London Paddington due 17:22 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:21/12/2025 09:36

[Worcester_Passenger]

Monday December 22

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:22/12/2025 05:40

09:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:22/12/2025 05:40

EDIT (13:45):

1W01 09:52 London Paddington to Hereford : spent 14 at Parkway, arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +24 and cancelled thereafter (RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website): "due to a problem with the traction equipment (MD)"). Onward connection at Foregate St missed by one minute.

13:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 16:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Last Updated:22/12/2025 12:25

EDIT (15:40):

1W02 1152 London Paddington to Hereford : departed +13, Oxford +22, held Evesham (+32) and Foregate St (+47), arrived Great Malvern +55 and cancelled thereafter.

15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Great Malvern.
It will no longer call at Hereford, Ledbury and Colwall.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:22/12/2025 14:08

EDIT (17:00):

1W25 1252 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate St : Oxford +19, arrived Shrub Hill +22 and cancelled thereafter.

15:18 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:25 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street but will call additionally at Pershore and Honeybourne.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:22/12/2025 15:07

[Worcester_Passenger]

Tuesday December 23

Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident between Evesham and Worcester Shrub Hill the line is blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or diverted. Disruption is expected until 07:30 23/12.
Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
A person has been struck by a train, leading to the line being blocked.
-
[...]

Last Updated:23/12/2025 06:47

Sad news indeed, especially at this time of year.

Service changes currently reported on JourneyCheck:

05:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 07:24 is being delayed between Pershore and Evesham.
05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:24 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading.
06:43 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 08:44 is being delayed at Worcester Shrub Hill.
07:00 Worcester Shrub Hill to Didcot Parkway due 08:46 will be started from Moreton-In-Marsh.
07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 09:43 will be delayed at Worcester Shrub Hill.
08:18 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 10:26 will be starting late from Worcester Shrub Hill.
08:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:27 will be started from Oxford.

05:53 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 08:38 will be terminated at Oxford.

EDIT (08:45):

Line now reported open. Updated service changes:

05:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 07:24 is being delayed between Pershore and Evesham.
05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:24 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading.
06:43 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 08:44 - cancelled
07:00 Worcester Shrub Hill to Didcot Parkway due 08:46 will be started from Moreton-In-Marsh.
07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 09:43 - cancelled.
08:18 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 10:26 - departed Shrub Hill on time.
08:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:27 will be started from Oxford.

05:53 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 08:38 will be terminated at Oxford.
06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:29 is being delayed at Oxford. This is due to a fault on this train.
08:51 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 11:14 will be cancelled.

[Worcester_Passenger]

1W13 06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern (09:29) (set 802 022) was obviously ill.
It departed Oxford +10, but was further delayed between there and Wolvercote (+72). Indeed, it was overtaken by 1W15 07:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern.
1W13 arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +87 and was cancelled thereafter.

1P20 09:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington was started from Worcester Shrub Hill (+17) and arrived +21.

1W02 1152 London Paddington to Hereford (14:44) : Oxford +9, arrived Great Malvern +21 and was cancelled thereafter.

15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Great Malvern.
It will no longer call at Hereford, Ledbury and Colwall.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. Service full and standing. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:23/12/2025 14:25

This train is due out of Great Malvern at 15:55. "Full and standing" at 14:25?

[Worcester_Passenger]

Wednesday December 24

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:29 will be reinstated.
It will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:24/12/2025 02:59

09:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:23 will be reinstated.
It will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:24/12/2025 03:00

EDIT (13:45):

11:52 London Paddington to Hereford due 14:44 will be terminated at Great Malvern.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 26 minutes late.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:24/12/2025 12:56

15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:24/12/2025 12:56

EDIT (16:00):

14:53 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:04 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:24/12/2025 15:16

Departed +27. Held Evesham (+45), arrived Shrub Hill +47.

17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:53 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:24/12/2025 15:16

CORRECTION : departed +32, saves 10 at Moreton, arrived on time. Did this train skip some of the stops?

Not getting to Foregate St screws up connections to/from Malvern and Hereford.

EDIT (next day, with correction above):

1W30 15:23 London Paddington to Foregate St (17:47) : held Wolvercote (+16), arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +38 and cancelled thereafter.

1W31 15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern (18:26) : held Wolvercote (+9), Moreton (+23), Evesham (+29), arrived Shrub Hill +28 and Worcester Foregate Street +48, cancelled therafter.

1P38 18:06 Worcester Foregate St to Paddington (20:29) : started from Shrub Hill. Departed +17, held Norton (+24), arrived Reading +16 and cancelled thereafter (RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) : "train crew issues").

1P40 19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington : started from Foregate Street, held Norton (+14), arrived +7.

[1st fan]

The IP16 8:13 from Shrub Hill which I was hoping to catch at 8:50 from Moreton in Marsh was cancelled. Realtime Trains is saying this is due to operators request.

The following service IP66 the 08:28 from Foregate Street is running late due to the engine running on reduced power. This train is also shortformed 5 rather than 9 cars and as a result has been full + standing since Hanborough, only train available at Worcester this morning to form the service. There are no seat reservations and there are loads of people on the platform at Oxford where we have just stopped. Some unhappy people onboard.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Saturday December 27

The IP16 8:13 from Shrub Hill which I was hoping to catch at 8:50 from Moreton in Marsh was cancelled. Realtime Trains is saying this is due to operators request.

The following service IP66 the 08:28 from Foregate Street is running late due to the engine running on reduced power. This train is also shortformed 5 rather than 9 cars and as a result has been full + standing since Hanborough, only train available at Worcester this morning to form the service. There are no seat reservations and there are loads of people on the platform at Oxford where we have just stopped. Some unhappy people onboard.

Definitely not reported on JourneyCheck.

Meanwhile...

08:49 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 11:24 has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 17 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 09:11

18:49 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 21:13 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 07:24

EDIT (12:30):

09:49 London Paddington to Hereford due 12:43 will be terminated at Great Malvern.
It has been delayed between London Paddington and Reading and is now 12 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 11:58

Departed +6, Oxford +20, held Shrub Hill (+45, for WMR^» (West Midlands Railway - website) train), arrived Great Malvern +50 and cancelled thereafter.

10:49 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 13:25 is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 10:59

Departed +30, Oxford +31, arrived +35.

11:49 London Paddington to Hereford due 14:43 is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 11:59

Departed +12, Oxford +18, arrived Great Malvern +24 and cancelled thereafter.

13:20 Hereford to London Paddington due 16:29 will be started from Great Malvern.
It will no longer call at Hereford, Ledbury and Colwall.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 11:58

EDIT (17:10): Delays updated, plus...

13:49 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:17 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It is being delayed between London Paddington and Reading and is now expected to be 61 minutes late.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 15:16

Departed +38, Oxford +59, arrived Shrub Hill +41 and cancelled thereafter. No onward connection.

16:49 London Paddington to Hereford due 19:43 is being delayed at London Paddington and is now expected to be 20 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 16:49

Departed +11, Reading +24, held Didcot avoiding line (+60), arrived Great Malvern +80 and cancelled thereafter.

15:14 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 14:01

17:00 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:29 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:27/12/2025 14:35

EDIT (20:55) - delays updated. Think we need a 'final scores' list.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Saturday December 28 - Final scores

1P14 07:12 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington : arrived +19.
1P66 08:28 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington : arrived +20.
1P22 10:50 Great Malvern to London Paddington : held Charlbury (+23), arrived +42.
1P26 13:05 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington : held Norton (+16), arrived +20.
1P28 13:20 Hereford to London Paddington : started from Great Malvern.
1P32 15:14 Hereford to London Paddington : started from Great Malvern, held Shrub Hill (+18), arrived +19.
1P34 17:00 Great Malvern to London Paddington : started from Worcester Shrub Hill
1P42 20:03 Foregate St to London Paddington : started from Shrub Hill (+15).
1P44 20:20 Hereford to London Paddington : started from Great Malvern, cancelled after Shrub Hill (RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) : "due to an issue with the train crew (TH)")

1W17 0849 London Paddington to Great Malvern : departed +16, Oxford +22, arrived +17.
1W01 0949 London Paddington to Hereford : Oxford +20, held Shrub Hill (+45), arrived Great Malvern +50 and cancelled thereafter.
1W21 1049 London Paddington to Great Malvern : departed +30, arrived +35.
1W02 1149 London Paddington to Hereford : departed +12, Oxford +18, arrived Great Malvern +24 and cancelled thereafter.
1W27 1349 London Paddington to Great Malvern : departed +38, Oxford +59, arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +41 and cancelled thereafter.
1W29 1449 London Paddington to Great Malvern : Oxford +18, arrived +25.
1W03 1649 London Paddington to Hereford : departed +11, delayed Didcot avoiding line (+60), arrived Great Malvern +80 and cancelled thereafter.
1W35 1749 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street : held Wolvercote (+20), arrived +26.
1W37 1849 London Paddington to Great Malvern : cancelled throughout

[Worcester_Passenger]

Sunday December 28

1W03 12:49 London Paddington to Hereford : departed +11, Oxford +18, Shrub Hill +28, held Malvern Wells (+40), saves 17 at Ledbury, arrived +32.

13:49 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:16 will be terminated at Worcester Foregate Street.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 25 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:28/12/2025 15:58

Departed +35, Reading +54, Oxford +54, ...

16:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:31 will be started from Worcester Foregate Street.
It will no longer call at Great Malvern and Malvern Link.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:28/12/2025 15:58

EDIT (16:05) - Updated

EDIT (16:55) - Updated

14:49 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:16 has been delayed between Hanborough and Kingham and is now 17 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:28/12/2025 16:40

EDIT (21:30)

1W51 16:49 London Paddington to Great Malvern (19:15) : departed +55, Oxford +70, cancelled after Shrub Hill (+68).

19:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:29 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to an obstruction on the track earlier today.
Last Updated:28/12/2025 18:10

[Worcester_Passenger]

Monday December 29

1W02 11:49 London Paddington to Hereford : Oxford +12, Shrub Hill +27, arrived Great Malvern +27 and cancelled thereafter (RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) : "due to the emergency alarm having been called (VH)").

12:49 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 15:00 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It has been previously delayed and is now 21 minutes late from Charlbury.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:29/12/2025 14:32

13:49 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:15 will call additionally at Didcot Parkway.
It is being delayed between London Paddington and Reading and is now expected to be 21 minutes late.
This is due to the train making extra stops because of service disruption.
Last Updated:29/12/2025 14:29

Departed +9, Reading +19, Oxford +34, arrived Shrub Hill +41 and cancelled thereafter.

16:49 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:25 will be started from Reading.
This is due to overcrowding because of an earlier cancellation.
Last Updated:29/12/2025 15:50

15:18 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:29 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:29/12/2025 14:33

15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to the communication alarm being activated on a train.
Last Updated:29/12/2025 14:40

16:32 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:31 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:29/12/2025 15:17

19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:31 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:29/12/2025 18:42

EDIT (18:50) - Updates

[Worcester_Passenger]

Tuesday December 30

Facilities on the 08:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:34.
Service full and standing. First class is declassified.
Last Updated:30/12/2025 10:42

EDIT

... and, apart from that, everything worked as it should. Can we have more days like that in 2026?

[Worcester_Passenger]

I've posted an analysis of scheduled and actual running times between Ascott and Evesham on the 'Problems with IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) trains' topic, at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31357.msg370335#new.