North Cotswold line delays and cancellations

Worcester_Passenger

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North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« on: January 01, 2026, 09:19:42 »

Thursday January 1

Quote

08:48 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 11:14 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:01/01/2026 01:16

11:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 14:35 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:01/01/2026 01:16

Meanwhile, a repeat of a posting from the very end of the 2025 topic : I've posted an analysis of scheduled and actual running times between Ascott and Evesham on the 'Problems with IET^▸ trains' topic, at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31357.msg370335#new.

EDIT (15:00):

1W01 09:48 London Paddington to Hereford (12:46) : delayed near Slough (+16), arrived Great Malvern +17 and cancelled thereafter.

1W21 10:48 London Paddington to Shrub Hill (13:01) : delayed between Paddington and Reading (+59), arrived Oxford +58 and cancelled thereafter.

Quote

11:48 London Paddington to Hereford due 14:44 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It has been previously delayed, has been further delayed between Reading and Oxford and is now 38 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:01/01/2026 13:52

Delayed near Iver (+20), Reading +32, delayed before Oxford (+46), arrived Shrub Hill +49 and cancelled thereafter.

Quote

12:48 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 15:00 will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Pershore and Worcestershire Parkway Hl.
It has been delayed at Reading and is now 46 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
Last Updated:01/01/2026 14:20

Held at Reading (+46), Oxford +45, arrived Shrub Hill +27 and cancelled thereafter.

Quote

14:48 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:04 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
Last Updated:01/01/2026 15:01

Quote

13:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 15:34 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:01/01/2026 11:50

Quote

13:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 16:34 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:01/01/2026 11:44

15:18 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:34 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
Last Updated:01/01/2026 15:21

15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:34 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:01/01/2026 13:51

EDIT (15:45) - Updates


« Last Edit: January 01, 2026, 15:42:36 by Worcester_Passenger »	Logged

Worcester_Passenger

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2026, 15:51:13 »

Friday January 2

1W13 06:48 London Paddington to Great Malvern (09:29) : departed +13, Oxford +23, held Wolvercote, arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +27 and cancelled thereafter.

1W02 1148 London Paddington to Hereford (14:44) : held Oxford (+12), arrived Great Malvern +19 and cancelled thereafter.

1P20 09:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington (12:36) : started from Shrub Hill.

Quote

15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:36 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:02/01/2026 13:39

EDIT (16:30) : 15:18 Hereford to Paddington being reported by RTT^» as "This service was cancelled between Great Malvern and London Paddington due to a points failure (IB)".

EDIT (17:45) :

Quote

Following a passenger being taken ill on a train between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill the line has now reopened.
Train services running through these stations are returning to normal. Disruption is expected until 19:00 02/01.

1W29 1448 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate St (17:04) : on time at Hanborough, but +85 at Charlbury, arrived Shrub Hill +88 and cancelled therafter.

1W31 15:48 London Paddington to Great Malvern (18:26) : RTT : "This service was cancelled between Oxford and Great Malvern due to a passenger being taken ill (VD)."

Quote

17:05 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:24 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a passenger being taken ill on a train.
Last Updated:02/01/2026 16:53

Quote

16:48 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:25 will call additionally at Combe, Finstock, Ascott-Under-Wychwood and Shipton.
This is due to the train making extra stops because of service disruption.
Last Updated:02/01/2026 17:26

1P38 18:02 Worcester Foregate St to London Paddington (20:36) : started from Shrub Hill (+30), arrived +18.

Quote

18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a passenger being taken ill on a train.

19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:36 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a passenger being taken ill on a train.
Last Updated:02/01/2026 16:42

EDIT (22:00) : some updating above, plus:

Quote

22:00 Hereford to London Paddington due 01:23 will be reinstated.
It will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a member of on-train staff being taken ill.
Last Updated:02/01/2026 21:43


« Last Edit: January 02, 2026, 22:05:54 by Worcester_Passenger »	Logged

Worcester_Passenger

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2026, 11:29:58 »

Final scores for yesterday:

1W13 06:48 London Paddington to Great Malvern : departed +14, arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +27 and cancelled thereafter (RTT^» : "due to an issue with the train crew (TH)")
1W02 11:48 London Paddington to Hereford (14:44) : held Oxford (+12), arrived Great Malvern +19 and cancelled thereafter (RTT : "due to a points failure (IB)")
1W29 14:48 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate St (17:04) : on time Hanborough, but arrived Charlbury +85, arrived Shrub Hill +88 and cancelled thereafter (RTT : "due to a passenger being taken ill (VD)")
1W31 15:48 London Paddington to Great Malvern (18:26) : arrived Oxford +10 and cancelled thereafter (RTT : "due to a passenger being taken ill (VD)")
2E14 17:05 Didcot Parkway to Evesham : cancelled after Oxford (RTT : "due to a passenger being taken ill (VD)")
1W03 17:19 London Paddington to Hereford (20:25) : cancelled after Worcester Shrub Hill (RTT : "due to the train operator's request (TB)")
1W36 18:48 London Paddington to Great Malvern (21:18) : Oxford +14, arrived +31.

1P20 09:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington (12:36) : started from Shrub Hill
1P30 15:18 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington (17:36) : held Charlbury (+74), arrived +73.
1P32 15:18 Hereford to London Paddington (18:36) : started from Great Malvern (+69), arrived +65.
1P38 18:02 Foregate St to London Paddington : started from Shrub Hill (+30), arrived +18.
2E16 18:51 Evesham to Oxford (19:50) : cancelled throughout
1P40 19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington (21:36) : started from Oxford (+18), skipped Didcot, arrived +19.
1P46 22:00 Hereford to London Paddington : started from Worcester Shrub Hill.


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Richard Fairhurst

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2026, 16:57:46 »

1523 from Paddington now doing a non-stop run from Oxford to Worcestershire Parkway in an attempt to make up time, having been caught up by the following train!

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P22892/2026-01-06/detailed

Edit: 55 minutes from Oxford to Shrub Hill including a stop at Parkway. Not bad.


« Last Edit: January 07, 2026, 09:34:17 by Richard Fairhurst »	Logged

Worcester_Passenger

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2026, 08:21:31 »

Thursday January 8

Quote

Cancellations to services between Oxford and Hereford
Due to forecasted severe weather between Oxford and Hereford fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or suspended. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
-
Storm Goretti is forecast to arrive from the Atlantic Ocean and hit the UK^▸ later bring strong winds and heavy precipitation. As the storm moves inland north of the M4 corridor the rain is forecast to turn to snow which could cause disruption
-
What are we doing about it?
-
In anticipation of the snow train services maybe amended. As it currently stands Network Rail have advised there will be no trains west of Great Malvern after 15:00 and no trains west of Oxford after 18:00. This could change as the storm moves closer and the forecast changes so please keep up to date by checking this line problem and journey planners for live information.

[...]

Last Updated:08/01/2026 07:55


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Richard Fairhurst

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2026, 10:09:36 »

Very disappointing - it might get snowy up towards Chipping Campden, but there's no snow forecast here this evening, and it's perfectly possible to turn a train round at Charlbury. (And, in fact, the evening trains aren't going any further west than Moreton anyway due to engineering works!)


« Last Edit: January 08, 2026, 11:01:58 by Richard Fairhurst »	Logged

Worcester_Passenger

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2026, 13:37:10 »

Your plea is answered:

Quote

Alterations to services on all routes
Due to forecasted severe weather:
Train services running across the whole Great Western Railway network will be revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 09/01/26.
Customer Advice
Storm Goretti is forecast to hit the UK^▸ later this afternoon, bringing strong winds and heavy rain/snow. This is likely to bring disruption to the GWR^▸ network.
***
Based on the forecast for the areas expected to be worst-affected, the following alterations will apply:

[...]

- No GWR services will run between Great Malvern and Hereford after 15:00. From 19:00, no services will run between Worcester and Great Malvern.

[...]

Please note the final services to run will depart stations earlier than these times; please check journey planners for details of individual journeys.

[...]

Last Updated:08/01/2026 12:45


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Worcester_Passenger

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2026, 10:10:13 »

Friday January 9

Quote

Due to severe weather between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 18:00 09/01.
Customer Advice
Storm Goretti hit the UK^▸ yesterday, which brought strong winds to South West and snow to other areas of the GWR^▸ network.

As a result, all services between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford are suspended until at least 18:00 but disruption may continue until the end of the day.

Customers are advised not to attempt to travel between these stations. Due to issues on the road network, rail replacement transport is not in operation.

[...]

An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
Last Updated:09/01/2026 10:03


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charles_uk

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2026, 14:29:02 »

Nothing mentioned on JourneyCheck re short-forms but the entire service on the north Cotswold line today is made up of five car units. This is very unusual as normally nine car units make up the majority of the Sunday service.


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Richard Fairhurst

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2026, 07:38:55 »

Quote from: charles_uk on January 11, 2026, 14:29:02

Cotswold trains were using the Didcot West curve yesterday and reversing at Foxhall Junction - wonder if that’s why?

Regardless, the Hereford starter is cancelled today so that’s 18 coaches of passengers trying to fit into just 5. Quite likely people will be left on the platform at Hanborough by the sound of it.


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Richard Fairhurst

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2026, 07:03:45 »

Not sure what’s going on this morning, but the 0523 from Hereford disappeared after Norton Junction (presumably sent via Stroud?) and the 0643 from Shrub Hill is nowhere to be seen. Please don’t say everyone is going to have to squeeze onto the Halts train…


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charles_uk

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2026, 16:04:13 »

Quote

13:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 16:24 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link and Worcester Foregate Street.
It will be delayed at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a member of on-train staff being taken ill.

14:53 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:04 will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh and Honeybourne.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 17 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed.

And not previously mentioned, Monday's 8:51 Paddington to Great Malvern service and the return 11:58 GMV^▸ :PAD^▸ was started/terminated at Reading and a two car turbo short-form.


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charles_uk

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2026, 15:14:37 »

Apart from some short-forms, it's been a pretty solid start to the year so far. However:

Quote

17:05 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:24 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.


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Richard Fairhurst

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2026, 13:10:44 »

3-coach Turbo^▸ on a Cotswold Line diagram today. Full and standing after Charlbury and it looked like fitting everyone on at Oxford was going to be entertaining…


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Fourbee

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Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2026

« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2026, 13:59:18 »

A friend suggested going to Worcester yesterday. I wasn't enthusiastic as my first thought was the unreliability of the service and my second thought was sitting on a metal bar. Seems I should also have considered being left behind on a platform as well. I wonder how many discretionary travellers are put off by the current state of affairs (not just on this line).


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