Paul Waine wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 27, 2024 7:11 pm

Hi all,

The weather has disrupted rail services around Banbury today. Flood line, cancelled trains. I don't know if disruption will continue through to Saturday.

Just a heads up to be prepared.

See you at the game.

UTC

MiltonKeynesClaret93 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 27, 2024 9:40 pm

I'm a driver for Chiltern Railways at Banbury these days. Ardley Tunnel (which is between Kings Sutton (basically Banbury) and Bicester North) was flooded today (with water almost covering the tops of the rail head). All my trains ran, but were diverted to Oxford via Heyford and Tackley (which is the same route the CrossCountry trains take to get to Oxford, Reading and beyond) on the way down to London and back up.
Basically, we have a triangle of a route if you like, between Bicester South Junction, Oxford and Aynho Junction, that comes in handy for these sorts of situations.

Trains will run from Marylebone to Oxford and back as normal, and London Paddington to Oxford with GWR is an option too if you need it. Southbound CrossCountry services (Manchester Piccadilly > Reading/Bournemouth) will take their normal route to call at Oxford too, because they come off that line before the affected area. If you're using our trains, and the tunnel still isn't re-opened, then it's only our Northbound trains from London to Birmingham Snow Hill, Moor St and back, that will divert to Oxford (train crew permitting) on route.

All being well, you shouldn't have any issues getting to the game tomorrow.

MiltonKeynesClaret93 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 27, 2024 9:40 pm

I'm a driver for Chiltern Railways at Banbury these days. Ardley Tunnel (which is between Kings Sutton (basically Banbury) and Bicester North) was flooded today (with water almost covering the tops of the rail head). All my trains ran, but were diverted to Oxford via Heyford and Tackley (which is the same route the CrossCountry trains take to get to Oxford, Reading and beyond) on the way down to London and back up.
Basically, we have a triangle of a route if you like, between Bicester South Junction, Oxford and Aynho Junction, that comes in handy for these sorts of situations.

Trains will run from Marylebone to Oxford and back as normal, and London Paddington to Oxford with GWR is an option too if you need it. Southbound CrossCountry services (Manchester Piccadilly > Reading/Bournemouth) will take their normal route to call at Oxford too, because they come off that line before the affected area. If you're using our trains, and the tunnel still isn't re-opened, then it's only our Northbound trains from London to Birmingham Snow Hill, Moor St and back, that will divert to Oxford (train crew permitting) on route.

All being well, you shouldn't have any issues getting to the game tomorrow.