Thousands of rail passengers have described “nightmare” journeys after being hit by major delays and cancellations following a power failure at a Manchester signalling centre that caused widespread disruption across northern England. According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the electrical failure at the Manchester Rail Operating Centre occurred just before 14:00 BST and was part of a wider power supply outage in the Ardwick area.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said disruption was expected for the rest of the day and advised passengers to check their travel plans. Alexander posted on X that she was “sorry to hear passengers in the North West are affected by a power outage, with trains cancelled or delayed.” National Rail confirmed that at least eight rail operators remain affected on Thursday evening.
Transport correspondent Katy Austin noted that the incident caused a “ripple effect,” impacting trains outside the immediate area, including those in the Midlands. While National Rail initially indicated the Midlands was affected, it later clarified the scope of the impact. Trains travelling north from stations including Birmingham New Street and London Euston were subject to significant delays and cancellations.
To add to the chaos, Network Rail reported that a wartime bomb near the railway track between Tamworth and Burton-on-Trent had blocked all lines between the two stations for a time on Thursday, though that specific incident has since concluded.
The Manchester Rail Operating Centre, opened in July 2014, houses all controls to safely operate the railway in the region. According to Network Rail, its operational control boundary spans from Crewe in the south to Carlisle in the north, and from Todmorden in the east to the Welsh border in the west.
Sarah Nelson, a remedial massage therapist who was unable to get to work in Manchester, described a “nightmare” five-hour round trip to return home to Blackpool. Her train was stuck at Horwich Parkway for more than 90 minutes. Similarly, Chris, a technology consultant travelling from Scotland, found himself stranded. “We’re still being told there is no power to any of the trains, no electricity – and they don’t expect anything to run today until the end of the day,” he said. “I will have to get a hotel here and see if I can get home tomorrow.”
Other passengers faced significant personal costs to navigate the disruption. A couple returning from Gibraltar to Manchester Airport had planned to take a train to Clitheroe, but Matt and Sarah had to book an Uber to take them home instead, adding it was “costing a fortune.” Stacey, a 38-year-old office worker travelling from Deansgate to Leyland, Lancashire, paid £60 for a taxi home after being evacuated from a train that stopped prematurely when signals failed. She praised the “phenomenal” staff for their “calm and professional” efforts during the controlled evacuation from the viaduct.
As of 20:00 BST, National Rail issued updated guidance. Avanti West Coast reported that services between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly may be delayed, cancelled, or diverted. CrossCountry advised that while services can now run from Manchester, “knock-on delays” persist. East Midlands Railway advised passengers not to travel between Sheffield and Liverpool Lime Street, noting ongoing disruption between Liverpool and Nottingham/Norwich.
London Northwestern Railway reported that rail replacement buses are in operation between Liverpool Lime Street and Crewe, and between Crewe and Birmingham New Street. Lumo’s 13:19 train from London Euston to Stirling was running 42 minutes late after being delayed at Preston. Northern issued a “do not travel” notice, as its services are unable to run on all routes in the north west of England and Greater Manchester.
TransPennine Express also advised against travel on its services due to cancellations on all routes, while Transport for Wales reported that services to Manchester Piccadilly and between Liverpool Lime Street may be affected.
National Rail stated that different train companies have different compensation schemes, but added that “they all offer compensation.” Claims can be made online, by post using a form downloaded from a train company website, or via the nationwide Delay Repay scheme. Passengers can also send story ideas via WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230.
Liverpool Lime Street, a major travel hub in the North West, remained among the stations significantly impacted by the disruption throughout the day. The situation continues to evolve, and passengers are urged to monitor official channels for the latest updates regarding their specific routes and operators.
He said he would likely book a hotel for the night, despite the expense and inconvenience, describing the delay as “costly, inconvenient…
Passengers whose journeys have been affected as a result of the disruption may be entitled to some money back.
The amount may depend on the type of ticket and the length of delay.
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