Just to let anyone planning on going by train to London today that all direct services on the Midland mainline are currently suspended due to an earlier train hitting a bridge near Leicester.


http://nationalrail.co.uk/service_bulletins/d3c15bd40a040002004338f51f06621a.html

This going to cause some right havoc, I heard on Radio Sheffield though any one with tickets can use them, on the cross country network this would mean about 3 or 4 changes to get to London though.

Couldn’t they go to Doncaster (one change), better service as well.

Edit.

Just read the link above and Doncaster isn’t mentioned.

This going to cause some right havoc, I heard on Radio Sheffield though any one with tickets can use them, on the cross country network this would mean about 3 or 4 changes to get to London though.

Or one, if they get a train to Tamworth or Birmingham then change.

National Express East Coast are accepting tickets on services via Doncaster. This is the latest from National Rail, issued about fifteen minutes ago:

Source: http://nationalrail.co.uk/service_bulletins/d3c15bd40a040002004338f51f06621a.html

Derailed train at Barrow-on-Soar, between Loughborough and Leicester

Last Updated: 09:52
Route Affected: Sheffield, Derby / Nottingham, Loughborough, Barrow-on-Soar, Sileby, Leicester & London St Pancras; also Nottingham, Loughborough, Barrow-on-Soar, Oakham, Peterborough & Norwich
TOC/s Affected: East Midlands Trains
Description: Train services between Loughborough and Leicester are being disrupted due to a derailed train at Barrow-on-Soar.

East Midlands Trains advise customers not to travel in the Leicester / Loughborough area today, Friday 1 February where possible. East Midlands Trains tickets dated for travel on Friday 1 February will be accepted for travel on Saturday 2 February.

Services are currently suspended between Leicester and Derby/Nottingham, with replacement bus services in operation between Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham, and also between Leicester, Loughborough and Derby. Buses will call at all intermediate stations.

Customers travelling between London and Derby, Nottingham & Sheffield may use Virgin Trains services between London Euston and Birmingham New Street, and CrossCountry services between Birmingham New Street and Derby, Nottingham & Sheffield, in both directions.

National Express East Coast will also accept East Midlands Trains customers between London Kings Cross and Peterborough / Grantham for connections with CrossCountry services to Leicester / Nottingham, in both directions.

First Capital Connect are also accepting East Midlands Trains customers between London St Pancras and Bedford in both directions.

There is no current estimate for a normal service to resume.

According to your quote, they are not accepting tickets for use via Doncaster: only as far as Grantham, to change to a cross country service.

Just to let anyone planning on going by train to London today that all direct services on the Midland mainline are currently suspended due to an earlier train hitting a bridge near Leicester.

My understanding is different: a lorry hit a bridge that crosses over the railway line, causing the bridge to partially collapse onto the track. This debris was struck by the first East Midlands Connect Nottingham - Norwich train at around 06h30 this morning.

Here's a map, issued by National Rail:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/download/managed_files/Sileby_bridgebash2.JPG

According to your quote, they are not accepting tickets for use via Doncaster: only as far as Grantham, to change to a cross country service.

I thought I needed my eyes checking, I cant see Doncaster either.

Anyone know how long it will take to clear and when the line will be up again?

Anyone know how long it will take to clear and when the line will be up again?

Depends how badly the bridge collapsed, but I'd expect things to be back to normal by tomorrow, unless it needs demolishing and replacing (unlikely).

Line isn't expected to be up and running before tomorrow. Driver taken to hospital with serious injuries so lets hope he's ok!

EMT are recommending passengers from Sheffield go via Doncaster and NXEC services:

Alternative arrangements for passengers wanting to travel to/from London St Pancras to / from Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby and Nottingham
Passengers from Sheffield should travel to Doncaster for the connecting National Express East Coast service to London Kings Cross.

Passengers from Nottingham should travel by train to Grantham for the connecting National Express Coast Service to London Kings Cross.

Passengers from and Chesterfield and Derby should travel by train to Birmingham New Street for the connecting Virgin West Coast service to London Euston.

Passengers travelling north from London for stations other than Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering, Wellingborough, should make their way to either Kings Cross or Euston for services with National Express East Coast or Virgin West Coast.

Passengers travelling between London St Pancras and Bedford / Luton / Luton Airport Parkway should use First Capital Connect services from St Pancras International.

http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/EMTrains/AboutUs/News/_ServiceDisruptions.htm#TrainOperatingCompanies

Sorry for the earlier confusion, I quoted the wrong text. EMT tickets are valid via NXEC at Doncaster.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7221590.stm


http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132384&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232710&home=yes&more_nodeId1=132393&contentPK=19744700

Just been on the local news here, its not far from my hovel.

I called customer services as by the time i found out, i would have gotten to London too late tonight if i'd taken the diverted route. I was told that i can use the ticket tomorrow and that the line should be clear.

Here's hoping - i'd a big night out planned there tomorrow !!! :(

Update: they expect to operate a "near-normal" service tomorrow, although trains will not be able to call at Loughborough.