GWR trains diverted to Euston during Dolphin Junction repairs
Passengers face route changes and service disruptions on specific November and December 2026 weekends.
Trust 50Craft 60Hype 20How this was reported ▾
The central claim is attributed to GWR's Head of Train Planning and Managing Director, but no documents or official statements are cited.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
The article explains why the work is necessary, quotes affected parties, and details what happens next for passengers.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The language is measured, with a focus on the practical implications for passengers and the technical details of the diversion.
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Great Western Railway (GWR) passengers travelling to or from London Paddington will experience significant disruption on specific weekends in late 2026. Essential repairs at Dolphin Junction, located near Slough, will necessitate the diversion of some services to London Euston. The work is scheduled to take place on 28 and 29 November 2026, and again from 27 December 2026 through to 3 January 2027, excluding the Christmas Day and Boxing Day holidays.
Dolphin Junction Repairs and Diversion Route
Rail disruption west of Paddington to last until Wednesday
Fire damage to power equipment at Scrubs Lane has affected Elizabeth line, GWR, and Heathrow Express services.
The Dolphin Junction project, costing £27.8 million, aims to replace critical track components that allow trains to switch between lines. Currently, trains must slow to 40mph to cross tracks at the junction. Once the repairs are complete, this speed limit will be raised to 70mph, which GWR states will reduce congestion and improve service reliability for both GWR and Elizabeth line services. The work involves installing 88 pre-constructed track panels and updating overhead power line equipment and signalling.
During the closure periods, GWR plans to run one South Wales to Euston service and one Bristol or Exeter to Euston service per hour. These diverted trains will take an unusual route, leaving the West Coast Main Line near Didcot, travelling via Oxford and Bicester Village onto the East-West rail line to Bletchley. From Bletchley, they will head to Milton Keynes, reverse, and then travel to Euston via Watford. This diversion adds approximately one hour to journey times.
For the majority of passengers whose services would normally terminate at Paddington, these trains will instead end their journeys at Reading. Passengers will be advised to transfer to South Western Railway (SWR) services for onward travel to London Waterloo. GWR is also arranging additional services to Guildford from Reading, where passengers can connect to SWR services to Waterloo. GWR considered running services directly to Waterloo from Reading but found the existing line too congested to accommodate additional trains.
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Major disruption affected services between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport and Reading.
Elizabeth Line and Alternative Travel
The disruption extends to the Elizabeth line, which will also be closed between Maidenhead and Heathrow terminals and London Paddington during the specified weekends. Shuttle services will operate between Reading and Slough, providing connections to bus services for passengers needing onward travel. GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood CBE noted that passengers generally prefer a single train journey, even if longer, to having to change services.
The diversion offers a unique opportunity for rail enthusiasts. On Sunday, 29 November 2026, a specific GWR service departing Oxford shortly after 8am is scheduled to travel via the East-West line to Milton Keynes and then proceed to Euston. This service may be among the first passenger-carrying trains to use sections of the new East-West railway.
What Happens Next
GWR will provide further updates and detailed timetable information closer to the affected dates. Passengers are advised to check the GWR website and journey planners before travelling during the weekends of 28-29 November 2026 and 27 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Questions this report answers
+Why are GWR trains being diverted?
GWR trains are being diverted to London Euston instead of Paddington due to essential repairs at Dolphin Junction. This £27.8 million project requires the closure of the junction to upgrade track infrastructure, allowing for higher train speeds and reduced congestion.
+When will these diversions and closures take place?
The disruptions will occur over two periods in late 2026. These are the weekends of 28 and 29 November, and from 27 December 2026 through to 3 January 2027, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
+What happens to most GWR services that usually go to Paddington?
Most GWR services that would typically terminate at London Paddington will instead end their journeys at Reading. Passengers will need to transfer to South Western Railway services to reach London Waterloo.
+Will the Elizabeth line be affected?
Yes, the Elizabeth line will also be closed between Maidenhead and Heathrow terminals and London Paddington during the same weekends that GWR services are diverted. Passengers should seek alternative travel arrangements.
WE FILE
No invented reporter. No hidden source trail.
The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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