Power fault causes rail delays, including Elizabeth Line

LONDON: Rail passengers travelling through London Paddington are experiencing significant disruption today (January 6) following damage to overhead power cables.

The fault is affecting Elizabeth line services as well as trains operated by Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express, with problems concentrated on routes linking Paddington, Heathrow and Reading.

Transport for London confirmed that the Elizabeth line is facing serious delays between Abbey Wood and Reading, including services to Heathrow terminals. Trains on other sections of the line are running as normal.

Several west London stations, including Hanwell, West Ealing and Acton Main Line, are not being served. Some Elizabeth line routes have been amended, with Shenfield to Heathrow Terminal 5 services ending at Liverpool Street. Reduced services are operating between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4, and between Abbey Wood, Iver and Reading.

Great Western Railway has warned passengers of reduced services between Paddington and Reading to help manage congestion. Local stopping services are only operating between Reading and Didcot Parkway or Newbury, while some long-distance trains may be delayed or cancelled, including a number of services to Cardiff Central.

Heathrow Express is running a reduced timetable, with trains operating every 30 minutes.

Network Rail said the damage occurred to overhead electric wires between Paddington, Greenford, Heathrow and Reading, limiting the number of trains that can run. Passengers are advised to expect cancellations and delays of up to half an hour.

Travellers are urged to check before travelling as disruption is expected to continue throughout the day.

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