Chiltern Railways cancels West Ruislip to Marylebone trains after heatwave derailments
Passengers face 45-minute delays and cancellations until the end of the day following two derailments last week
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Chiltern Railways has cancelled or delayed trains between West Ruislip and London Marylebone after a safety inspection of the track. Passengers face delays of up to 45 minutes, with disruption expected to continue until the end of the day.
The inspection follows two passenger train derailments near London last week. Both incidents occurred during a heatwave, when temperatures exceeded 38°C. Steel rails can expand and buckle in extreme heat, a known risk for rail networks.
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Investigations launched after derailments
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and Network Rail are investigating the causes of the derailments. No details of the findings have been released yet. The incidents took place on Thursday and Friday last week, as reported by the *Evening Standard*.
A Chiltern Railways spokesperson said, "We are sorry to announce that due to a safety inspection of the track between the Bicester area and Haddenham & Thame Parkway, services on the lines towards Oxford, London and the West Midlands may be cancelled or delayed."
Chiltern Railways cuts London to Birmingham trains as heat hits 38°C
Reduced timetable in place from 11 am to 8 pm on Thursday, with off-peak services limited to one train per hour
Affected routes and advice for passengers
The disruption affects services between London Marylebone and several destinations, including Birmingham Snow Hill, Birmingham Moor Street, Stourbridge Junction, Stratford-upon-Avon, Banbury, Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Oxford. National Rail has advised passengers to check service updates before travelling.
The line between West Ruislip and South Ruislip is currently blocked while the inspection takes place. Passengers are urged to allow additional time for their journeys and to monitor updates from National Rail or Chiltern Railways.
What happens next
Chiltern Railways has not confirmed when normal services will resume. The safety inspection is expected to continue until the end of the day. The RAIB and Network Rail investigations into the derailments are ongoing, with no timeline given for their conclusions.
Questions this report answers
+Why are trains between West Ruislip and Marylebone cancelled?
Chiltern Railways cancelled services after a safety inspection of the track, following two derailments near London last week during extreme heat. The inspection is expected to cause disruption until the end of the day.
+How long will the delays last?
Delays of up to 45 minutes are expected until the end of the day, according to Chiltern Railways. Passengers are advised to check service updates before travelling and allow extra time for their journeys.
+Which routes are affected by the disruption?
Services between London Marylebone and Birmingham, Oxford, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Banbury, Stratford-upon-Avon and Stourbridge Junction are affected. The line between West Ruislip and South Ruislip is currently blocked.
+Who is investigating the derailments?
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Network Rail are investigating the causes of two derailments near London last week. No findings have been released yet, and the investigations are ongoing.
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