Power fault disrupts London Paddington–Southall rail services, dozens of trains cancelled

London commuters faced travel chaos after a fault in the electricity supply disrupted services on the line between London Paddington and Southall. Dozens of trains were affected, with many routes either cancelled or delayed as networks went offline and strategic junctions were restricted.

Great Western Railway said the failure blocked several routes on the Paddington to Southall corridor. As a result, services between London Paddington and Reading may be cancelled or delayed as crews assess the issue. The company added that drivers and station staff were working to reroute trains where possible, but the scale of the fault has left many plans in disarray. This is a developing story and updates are expected as engineers investigate the cause and the extent of the impact.

Passengers at Paddington were seen on crowded platforms and facing cancellations that have rippled across the network. Photos showed staff cordoning off the Tube entrance at Paddington as officials urged travelers to seek alternative routes. Transport operators advised commuters to monitor updates from their service providers and plan for delays, especially for journeys toward Reading and west of London.

Rail staff and engineers are expected to work through the evening to restore power and reopen affected routes. Disruptions could extend into the evening peak, with some services remaining limited as teams assess the full extent of the outage. Travelers are encouraged to check with National Rail Enquiries and operator apps for real-time information before setting out.

The incident highlights how a power fault on a single corridor can cascade across London’s rail network, affecting tens of thousands of passengers each day. As investigations continue, rail operators are coordinating to restore service and minimize further delays, with updates issued as more details become available.