North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

[whole diary]

[charles_uk]

And again today:

Cancellations to services between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford

Due to a safety inspection of the track between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford the line towards London Paddington is blocked.

Train services running through these stations will be cancelled, delayed or diverted. Disruption is expected until 16:30 18/08.

[charles_uk]

07:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 09:43 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[charles_uk]

I do sometimes wonder if GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) wouldn't be that upset if they didn't have to run trains to/from Hereford:

1P10 0523 Hereford to London Paddington cancelled due to late arrival of an inbound service (YI)

1W01 0952 London Paddington to Hereford cancelled due to the train being swapped (YU)

[Chris from Nailsea]

I do sometimes wonder if GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) wouldn't be that upset if they didn't have to run trains to/from Hereford ...

What a scurrilous suggestion!     

CfN^▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum). 

[charles_uk]

17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

[charles_uk]

09:52 London Paddington to Hereford due 12:48 will be cancelled.
This is due to a safety inspection on a train.

13:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 16:25 will be cancelled.
This is due to a safety inspection on a train.

[Witham Bobby]

17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:28/08/2026 11:34

18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:28/08/2026 11:35

Is this now the least likely to run as advertised service on the GW^» (Great Western - used as an abbreviation for the area / lines under the Great Western franchise, as opposed to FGW which includes "First", the company operating them too. For tickets - about) network?  Why is it even in the timetable?  They could just add it as a special excursion on the days when they can be a*s*d to run it

[ChrisB]

Probably the most popular train on the Evesham-Oxford section!

Certainly in term time.

[ray951]

17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:28/08/2026 11:34

18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:28/08/2026 11:35

Is this now the least likely to run as advertised service on the GW^» (Great Western - used as an abbreviation for the area / lines under the Great Western franchise, as opposed to FGW which includes "First", the company operating them too. For tickets - about) network?  Why is it even in the timetable?  They could just add it as a special excursion on the days when they can be a*s*d to run it

35% cancellation in the last 4 weeks.
1636 Oxford  - Didcot also on 35% over the last 4 weeks which of course then forms the 1704 DID^▸ (Didcot Parkway station) to Evesham.

As we all know since electrification was cancelled GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) has not had enough diesel trains. Cancelling the half complete electrification to Oxford was one of the most stupid decisions made. Thanks Chris Grayling, who has plenty of form with stupid decisions. 

[ChrisB]

That train would still need to be diesel, as the Cotswold Line isn't (& likely wouldn't) be electrified, even if Oxford was.

[grahame]

That train would still need to be diesel, as the Cotswold Line isn't (& likely wouldn't) be electrified, even if Oxford was.

Of course - though trains tend to move around (that's what they are for).  London to Oxford becomes electric, releasing the local DID^▸ (Didcot Parkway station) <-> OXF^▸ (Oxford station) shuttles, and IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) running PAD^▸ (Paddington (London) station) <-> OXF can also become electric.

Question - how many of the passengers who use the halts train pass across Oxford, and how many of them to so to change at Didcot from/into an electric train to London?   Just a question as I am loathe to suggest splitting trains into sectors.

[ChrisB]

More travel across Oxford from the Science Parks around Culham actually I think. There is a fair number who are already on he train when it comes into Oxford in the evening that stay on it to go round the corner.

[grahame]

More travel across Oxford from the Science Parks around Culham actually I think. There is a fair number who are already on he train when it comes into Oxford in the evening that stay on it to go round the corner.

Feedback appreciated, thank you.

[Richard Fairhurst]

Lots of cancellations and late running this evening due to a "passenger on the track" at Charlbury which I believe may not have been happy circumstances, I'm afraid. Half a dozen police cars down at the station earlier.

[Richard Fairhurst]

All a bit pear-shaped this morning - nothing appears to have got through between Worcester and Evesham due to signalling problems. The Hereford starter was diverted via Cheltenham and the Shrub Hill starter was cancelled.