Thursday, January 9, 2025

What we know about train delays sparked by nationwide fault

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A technical glitch which caused widespread rush hour train delays this morning has now been fixed.

Train across the UK have been delayed this morning due to a ‘nationwide fault’ with train communication systems, caused by a problem with the GSM-R system used by train drivers and signallers.

The hardware card that was installed overnight that the engineers believe was responsible for disruption has been replaced and the Stoke node is fully operational, Network Rail confirmed.

A spokesperson for the government-owned company said: “An overnight fault with our railway radio system in England and Wales has been traced to one of our major hubs near Stoke, which has now been fixed.

“The fault meant that train drivers were having to manually log into the national radio network rather than it happening automatically. The system is now working normally. We’re sorry if your journey has been affected today as a result of this issue.”

The widespread disruption affected 13 services, including Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink, South Western Railway, Chiltern Railway and Southeastern.

One of the operators beset by delays, South Western Railway, has told commuters to get taxis instead of trying to board its trains, and to claim the money back.

Elizabeth line trains serving Reading and Heathrow airport as well as services in north Wales were also affected.

However, some services rallied before the issue was fixed. ScotRail services have returned to normal, and Southeastern delays are expected to stop around 11.30.

Here’s what we know — and don’t know — about the delays.

The problem was first flagged on the National Rail Enquiries website on Friday morning.

The train information website said trains “across the network” are having to start their journeys later because of the failure of the onboard GSM-R system.

The GSM-R is designed to enable driver and signallers to communicate digitally at all times, including while trains are in areas such as tunnels and deep cuttings where previous analogue systems did not work.

A notice said: “There is a nationwide fault with the communication system used between train drivers and signallers. As a result, services across the National Rail network may be subject to disruption this morning.

“Trains across the network are having to start their journeys later because of this fault and some may also be subject to cancellations or alterations. Please check before you travel, allow extra time for your journey and monitor live departure boards.”

The failure with the system “is currently being investigated”, National Rail Enquiries said.

Network Rail has also confirmed that the glitch has not been caused by a hack or cyber attack.

A Network Rail spokesperson said it using the “back-up manual log-in system instead”, which is “causing a few minutes of delay at the start of the day”.

“Once up and running the system is working normally and the impact for passengers is minimal,” they added.

Several services across in the UK — including in Scotland — have been affected.

South Western Railway said in a message to passengers: “We have been informed of a national issue with communication systems affecting service this morning.

“This means that trains may be delayed before they start their journey.

“This is because it is preventing our train drivers from contacting the respective signalling centre this morning and a reset is having to be performed before the train can start its journey.”

However, some rail services are starting to rally.

ScotRail, which previously said it was affected, has now announced that services are running normally.

Major rail disruptions in Leeds and Wakefield are not due to the network fault, Network Rail has said, but due to a tree falling on a major connecting line.

While several rail services have announced that they are experiencing delays, it is unclear how widespread the delays are — and how long the disruption will last.

Although it is clear that many services have been affected, there has been no confirmation of the exact number experiencing delays.

While there is a workaround to fix the fault, engineers are unsure how long it will take to repair the system.

Network Rail was approached for a comment.

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