Chaos gripped London’s rail network this morning as a train derailed near Selhurst Depot, unleashing a wave of disruption that stranded commuters and brought lines to a standstill.
The incident, occurring just as the city was gearing up for the morning rush, effectively blocked all lines towards Norwood Junction and London Bridge. A stark warning – “do not travel” – was issued by Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express, acknowledging potential delays stretching for an entire hour, and a grim admission that reaching destinations today wasn’t guaranteed.
Images quickly surfaced showing the train tilted off the tracks within the depot station, a jarring visual representation of the morning’s unfolding crisis. Fortunately, reports confirmed no one was injured in the derailment, a small mercy amidst the widespread travel turmoil.
The disruption wasn’t solely attributed to the derailed train. A separate signalling fault between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars compounded the problems, creating a perfect storm of delays. The ripple effect extended even to the London Overground, with significant delays anticipated throughout the day.
Passengers on the Windrush Line faced the most severe impact, with complete suspension of service between Sydenham and West Croydon. While Clapham Junction, Crystal Palace, and New Cross services continued to operate, the overall picture was one of widespread disruption and frustration.
At London Victoria station, digital displays urged travelers to consider alternative routes, suggesting buses as a temporary solution to navigate the city. The sheer scale of the disruption prompted calls for accountability, with the TSSA union demanding a “proper explanation” from rail firms.
Despite the chaos, rail workers were praised for their swift response in working to restore service. However, the union emphasized the significant impact on countless commuters attempting to navigate London during peak hours, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the day’s events.
Specific Southern services, including Epsom to London Bridge, were suspended, while others faced lengthy diversions. Thameslink also announced suspensions on key routes like London Bridge to East Grinstead and Brighton to Cambridge, adding to the mounting travel woes.
