Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2026

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

.....Does the great western line have a track security problem?

The volume of graffiti, AKA^▸ ('also known as') criminal damage, along the railway between Paddington & Acton, indicates the answer to that question is a resounding 'Yes'.

Ah but Bob that graffiti is "art", and yet another benefit of our increasingly progressive, diverse society (....or something!) 

[NickB]

.....Does the great western line have a track security problem?

The volume of graffiti, AKA^▸ ('also known as') criminal damage, along the railway between Paddington & Acton, indicates the answer to that question is a resounding 'Yes'.

Ah but Bob that graffiti is "art", and yet another benefit of our increasingly progressive, diverse society (....or something!) 

You forgot to mention ‘vibrant’

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Reading and London Paddington

Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident between Reading and London Paddington all lines are blocked.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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A person has been struck by a train, leading to all lines being blocked. It is necessary to bring all trains in the affected area to an immediate stop.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Person died, sadly: see https://www.london-now.co.uk/news/25996954.paddington-gwr-delays---person-hit-train-dies-swindon/ 

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to urgent repairs to the track between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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We have had a report of a defect with the track in the West Drayton area. Trains may not be able to run over the affected line until it has been inspected or may have to run at reduced speed.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to urgent repairs to the track between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
We have had a report of a defect with the track in the West Drayton area. Trains may not be able to run over the affected line until it has been inspected or may have to run at reduced speed.

......and to add to the misery......

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading
Due to a points failure between London Paddington and Reading some lines are closed.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 16:15 08/04.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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There has been a points failure in the Southall area. A points failure is a fault with the movable pieces of track that enable trains to change tracks.
-
There is also a defect with the track in the West Drayton area which means trains are having to run at reduced speed on one of the four lines towards London Paddington.

[ray951]

And even more misery, must be because the weather got a bit warm today.

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Oxford and Didcot Parkway all lines will be blocked.
Impact:
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 20:00 08/04.
Customer Advice:
-
What has happened?
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Some axle counters, part of the signalling system, have stopped working in the Oxford area. Axle counters tell the signalling system if a section of track has a train on it. If an axle counter stops working, trains need to stop at the affected signal so that the Driver can speak to the Signaller to confirm if the track ahead is clear.
-
What are we doing about it?
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All lines are blocked for 30 minutes to allow Network Rail to access the site to resolve the issue.

[TaplowGreen]

......and it continues into today......

Cancellations to services between Twyford and Slough

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Twyford and Slough fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 06:45 09/04.

[TaplowGreen]

......and it continues into today......

Cancellations to services between Twyford and Slough

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Twyford and Slough fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 06:45 09/04.

Now pushed out to 1100

"The problem affects 2 of the four lines between London Paddington and Reading, so we are having to reduce the train service through the area to avoid congestion. Local stopping services between London Paddington and Newbury will only run between Reading and Newbury. Most longer distance intercity services will continue to run between London Paddington and Reading, but may be subject to delay.
We are working with Network Rail to be able to return to running our normal timetable as soon as possible".
-

[a-driver]

......and it continues into today......

Cancellations to services between Twyford and Slough

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Twyford and Slough fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 06:45 09/04.

Now pushed out to 1100

"The problem affects 2 of the four lines between London Paddington and Reading, so we are having to reduce the train service through the area to avoid congestion. Local stopping services between London Paddington and Newbury will only run between Reading and Newbury. Most longer distance intercity services will continue to run between London Paddington and Reading, but may be subject to delay.
We are working with Network Rail to be able to return to running our normal timetable as soon as possible".
-

Confirmed as cable theft.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a broken down train between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 16:15 10/04.
Customer Advice
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What has happened?
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A train has broken down near West Ealing Station.
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What are we doing about it?
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The train is blocking one of the four lines between London Paddington and Reading, so we are having to reduce the train service through the area to avoid congestion.

[TaplowGreen]

Truly dire few days on this line......

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a points failure between London Paddington and Reading some lines are closed.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 18:00 10/04.

Customer Advice
-
What has happened?
-
A train had broken down near West Ealing Station but has now been cleared. Unfortunately there is now a points failure in the Hanwell area.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Reading and Newbury

Due to a points failure between Reading and Newbury the line is blocked.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 08:00 14/04.

[Witham Bobby]

Wasn't there to be a concerted effort from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and contractors to fix the many long-term infrastructure issues on the Paddington the Reading main line?  What happened to that?  Failures seem to me to be as frequent as they ever were

[TaplowGreen]

Wasn't there to be a concerted effort from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and contractors to fix the many long-term infrastructure issues on the Paddington the Reading main line?  What happened to that?  Failures seem to me to be as frequent as they ever were

Yep, even our esteemed Mayor Khan chipped in with his opinions on Network Rail's performance and I believe he also chipped in with some cash, but pretty much to no avail it would seem judging by recent issues......

https://www.cityam.com/network-rail-must-improve-performance-after-elizabeth-line-and-paddington-disruption-says-sadiq-khan/