Chaos at London Waterloo station after fire by railway causes widespread disruption and two-hour delays for snow-weary commuters
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Snow-weary commuters faced chaos at Britain's busiest railway station as all departing trains were cancelled or delayed after a trackside fire added to their woes.
South Western Railway's entire network was disrupted as passengers trying to leave London Waterloo faced hours-long delays during the evening rush.
Huge crowds formed near the ticket barriers and frustrated travellers had barely any room to move as they waited for updates on their journeys home.
Passengers faced cancellations, revised services and delays of up to two hours and 20 minutes, with the severe disruption expected to last through the end of the day.
A customer notice inside one station told passengers not to travel, as furious travellers vented on social media.
Three main lines were blocked after the fire outside London Waterloo damaged the signalling system and led to track circuit failures, forcing train drivers to verbal permission from signalling staff before continuing.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Some passengers were stuck on trains for more than an hour as the fire brought services to a halt.
Rail services and public transport across large parts of England and Wales were already severely disrupted on Monday after a winter storm and plunging temperatures brought snow and ice.
Until at least 8pm trains between London Waterloo and Dorking, Hampton Court and Chessington South are among those cancelled.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Other cancellations include circular trains to/from London Waterloo via Teddington and Strawberry Hill, while all west of England services are starting and terminating at Basingstoke, Hampshire.
Mainline and suburban trains towards London Waterloo are terminating at Clapham Junction.
South Western Railway warned there may be short notice alterations and cancellations on all other routes.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
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It said platforms 1-3 were out of service, and trains which normally use the platforms were diverted onto other lines to use different platforms.
Network Rail engineering staff enabled platforms 4-9, but there was still a massive backlog.
South Western Railway urged its customers to allow extra time and check their journey before travelling, and it invited them to claim compensation if their train had been delayed by 15 minutes or more.
(Image: jasonblackraven/Instagram)
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: Evening Gazette)
The rail firm said in a statement: "Due to a lineside fire at London Waterloo some lines are blocked.
"Train services running across the whole South Western Railway network may be cancelled, delayed by up to 140 minutes or revised.
"Earlier today a line-side fire outside London Waterloo caused damage to the signalling system leading to track circuit failures on three of the main lines to and from London Waterloo.
(Image: Barcroft Media)
(Image: PA)
"Track circuits are a part of the signalling system that monitors the presence of trains on sections of track. When a track circuit failure occurs trains must stop and seek verbal permission to continue from signalling staff.
"We strongly advise that you allow extra time and check your journey before you travel.
"We are sorry for any delay this may cause to your journey today."