Great Western Railway service disruption following investigation into Hitachi 800 series trains

Rail services are facing significant disruption today (Saturday) after hairline cracks were found in high speed trains.

Hitachi is investigating the issue in its Hitachi 800 series trains, and train services running to and from Paddington have been cancelled.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day, and passengers on Great Western Railway (GWR) routes are advised not to travel today.

Hull Trains and London North Eastern Railway services are also affected. Replacement bus services are running from West Berkshire stations.

GWR said that the cancellations were due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time at London Paddington.

The company said that fewer trains are able to run on some lines, and, because of the short notice unavailability of carriages which form High Speed train services, there will be no train service or an extremely limited service with no alternative means of transport on some routes.

Train services running to and from Paddington have been cancelled, and disruption is expected until the end of the day.

A GWR spokesperson said: “A number of Class 800 series Hitachi trains from several train companies have been taken out of service today for checks as a precautionary measure. This problem is being investigated by Hitachi and once trains have been checked, we hope to be able to release them back into service as soon as possible.

“This will affect a significant number of today’s Intercity services and local lines are also likely to be extremely busy. Customers are advised not to travel. Refunds will be provided and customers should visit www.gwr.com for more information.”

GWR added that owing to the short notice unavailability of carriages which form High Speed train services, there will be no train service or only an extremely limited service with no alternative means of transport available for throughout journeys, in either direction, on

The following routes have been affected:

• London Paddington - Swindon - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads.
• London Paddington - Swindon - Bristol Parkway - Newport - Cardiff Central - Swansea.
• London Paddington - Reading - Taunton - Exeter St Davids - Plymouth - Penzance.
• London Paddington - Reading - Oxford - Evesham - Worcester - Great Malvern - Hereford.
• London Paddington - Reading - Swindon - Gloucester - Cheltenham Spa.

Customers intending to use these routes are advised not to travel.

In areas such as Paddington, Reading, Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Bristol and Exeter local areas, Cardiff - Portsmouth and around 75 per cent of Plymouth - Penzance services will continue to operate.

Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Railway are conveying passengers via reasonable routes until further notice. Arrangements have been made for Great Western Railway rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.