Rail chaos as ScotRail trains hit by cancellations and delays due to 'nationwide fault'
A “nationwide fault” has caused rail chaos across Scotland, with trains delayed this morning as a communications problem hit the network.
Network Rail said there could be service cancellations across the network due to the fault. The problem involves the communication system used between train drivers and signallers.
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A statement from the rail network operator said: "Trains across the network are having to start their journeys later because of this fault and some may also be subject to cancellations or alterations.”
ScotRail services were among those affected.
A statement issued by Scotrail at 7.45am said: “Due to a national fault with the radio system between drivers and signallers, services are subject to delays.
“Please note that this does not affect the safety of train running as alternative methods are in place. Speak to staff or press help points for further information.”
ScotRail posted at 9.50am to say the fault had now been cleared.
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Hide Ad“Disruption caused by a fault with the radio system between the driver and the signaller has now ended,” a short statement on X said. “Services are no longer affected by this problem.”
Other train operators who were impacted included the Elizabeth Line in London and southern England, South Western Railway, the Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink services.
The failure with the GSM-R system “is currently being investigated”, National Rail Enquiries said.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We have discovered a fault with the railway’s radio communication system that is preventing it from automatically ‘logging on’.
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Hide Ad“The back-up manual log-in system is being used instead, causing a few minutes of delay at the start of the day. Once up and running, the system is working normally and the impact for passengers is minimal.”
GSM-R is designed to enable driver and signallers to communicate digitally at all times, including while trains are in areas such as tunnels and deep cuttings where previous analogue systems did not work.
It was rolled out to increase safety and reduce costs by replacing the patchwork of inefficient legacy systems which were expensive to maintain.
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