Clapham train chaos: Network Rail blame engineering work

Many passengers were stranded during the morning rush hour and were left to find alternate routes after a problem between Wandsworth Common and Clapham Junction last Thursday (April 30).

The problem had a knock-on affect and led to further delays throughout the day and into the night.

In a statement Network Rail said the problem had been caused due to work on the track the night before.

They said a conductor rail, which had been removed whilst repair work took place, had not been put back into its ‘normal trackside alignment’.

The company also ‘apologised’ for the delays and thanked passengers for their patience.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The disruption to trains to and from Victoria last Thursday occurred when a section of the conductor rail, which provides power to the trains, became ‘out of gauge’ – meaning it was not in its normal trackside alignment.

“We believe that track repairs carried out the previous evening, which required the conductor rail to be temporarily removed while the repairs took place, may have caused this to happen.

“Once again, we would like to apologise to passengers for Thursday’s disruption and thank them for the patience they showed.”