Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026

[whole diary]

[grahame]

So customers who use Twyford/Maidenhead/Slough and smaller stations fall back to the Elizabeth Line, but if that fallback did not exist, what options would they have?

Hypothetical, perhaps to the extent of being of academic interest only?

I am noting today, in amongst missed stops, there are a number of extra stops at Maidenhead

18:08 London Paddington to Frome due 20:00

18:08 London Paddington to Frome due 20:00 will call additionally at Maidenhead.
This is due to severe weather.

which I suspect is a main line platform call.  And that train calls at Twyford too ...

[BBM]

So customers who use Twyford/Maidenhead/Slough and smaller stations fall back to the Elizabeth Line, but if that fallback did not exist, what options would they have?

As far as Twyford is concerned, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) has said a few times this week on their X that passengers can take a fast train to Reading and then double-back on Elizabeth Line services. That happened to me a few times when I used to commute in pre-EL^▸ (Elizabeth Line - Transport for London line from Reading and Heathrow in the west through central tunnels across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.) days but then of course all stoppers were operated by GWR.

[IndustryInsider]

Err..........the explanation we've received for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains running non stop to/from Reading to Paddington was that it was largely due to the likelihood of points (such as those at Dolphin Junction) falling over due to hot weather.

So customers who use Twyford/Maidenhead/Slough and smaller stations fall back to the Elizabeth Line, but if that fallback did not exist, what options would they have?

If that option didn't exist then the GWR services would be able to run on the relief lines all the way from Reading to Paddington making the normal stops.

[Electric train]

Err..........the explanation we've received for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains running non stop to/from Reading to Paddington was that it was largely due to the likelihood of points (such as those at Dolphin Junction) falling over due to hot weather.

So customers who use Twyford/Maidenhead/Slough and smaller stations fall back to the Elizabeth Line, but if that fallback did not exist, what options would they have?

If that option didn't exist then the GWR services would be able to run on the relief lines all the way from Reading to Paddington making the normal stops.

Going back even further in time , before Turbos^▸ (Class 165 and 166 trains used on Thames Valley services) (165/6) with the all stations Padd - Slough and the Padd- Rdg semi fast (Ealing Bway, Slough Burnham Taplow Maidenhead Twyford) the default in hot weather was to run all stops Padd - Rdg that was torture especially as more often than not it was a 3 car air-con had not been invented   

[TaplowGreen]

Err..........the explanation we've received for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains running non stop to/from Reading to Paddington was that it was largely due to the likelihood of points (such as those at Dolphin Junction) falling over due to hot weather.

So customers who use Twyford/Maidenhead/Slough and smaller stations fall back to the Elizabeth Line, but if that fallback did not exist, what options would they have?

If that option didn't exist then the GWR services would be able to run on the relief lines all the way from Reading to Paddington making the normal stops.

Going back even further in time , before Turbos^▸ (Class 165 and 166 trains used on Thames Valley services) (165/6) with the all stations Padd - Slough and the Padd- Rdg semi fast (Ealing Bway, Slough Burnham Taplow Maidenhead Twyford) the default in hot weather was to run all stops Padd - Rdg that was torture especially as more often than not it was a 3 car air-con had not been invented   

Sounds like a pretty miserable experience......nowadays things have moved on somewhat and there's mass "more trains than usual needing repair at the same time" cancellations and alterations of more modern trains due to lack of adequate air-conditioning in the driver's cab. Quite ironic.

[TaplowGreen]

Hmmmmmm. London/Thames Valley mostly peaking at 28/29 degrees today.......does thst really constitute "severe" weather for mid July?

Alterations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to severe weather between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 20:00 14/07.

[ChrisB]

Track temperatures can be double that

[TaplowGreen]

Delays to services between Reading and Oxford via Didcot Parkway

Following a points failure at Didcot Parkway all lines are now open. Disruption is expected until 20:00 15/07.

Train services between Reading and Oxford via Didcot Parkway are returning to normal but some services have been delayed.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Reading and Newbury

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Reading and Newbury fewer trains are able to run.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 16:30 20/07.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a safety inspection of the track between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 14:00 21/07.

Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
We have had a report of a defect with the track between London Paddington and Reading. Trains may not be able to run over the affected line until it has been inspected or may have to run at reduced speed.
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What are we doing about it?
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The problem affects two of the four lines between London Paddington and Reading, so we are having to reduce the train service through the area to avoid congestion.
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Some services between London Paddington and Oxford, will not run, in either direction.

[TaplowGreen]

Delays to services between Theale and Reading West

Due to a safety inspection of the track between Theale and Reading West trains have to run at reduced speed on the line towards Reading.

Train services running through these stations may be delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until 17:15 28/07.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Slough and Reading

Due to the fire alarm sounding at a station at Slough all lines are closed. Disruption is expected until 19:30 28/07.

Train services between Slough and Reading may be cancelled or delayed.

Cancellations to services between Slough and London Paddington

Due to the fire alarm sounding at a station at Slough all lines are closed. Disruption is expected until 19:30 28/07.

Train services between Slough and London Paddington may be cancelled or delayed.

[TaplowGreen]

Alterations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to severe weather between London Paddington and Reading:

Train services running to and from these stations will be running non stop. Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford will not be served. Disruption is expected until 21:00 29/07.

Additional Information
With the high temperatures today, a contingency plan is in place to reduce the strain on the points which allow trains to move between lines. As a result, our local stopping services between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway are not calling at Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford in either direction until later this evening.
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The Elizabeth line services will continue to call at Slough, Maidenhead and Twyford and you may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on their services. Elizabeth line use platforms A & B at London Paddington outside the main station concourse.
-

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Oxford and Didcot Parkway

Due to a tree blocking the railway between Oxford and Didcot Parkway the line towards Didcot Parkway is blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

[TaplowGreen]

Alterations to services between Reading and London Paddington

Due to a points failure between Reading and London Paddington fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 16:15 04/08.

Customer Advice
Owing to a problem with a section of track near London Paddington, fewer trains are able to operate between London Paddington and Reading.