London Euston Station Halts All Northbound Trains Amid Major Signalling Fault

A major signalling failure brought travel chaos to London Euston on Friday, November 21, 2025. All northbound train services were suspended for hours. Thousands of passengers were left stranded during the afternoon rush.

The fault was caused by a power supply issue in the Stafford area. It severely disrupted routes to Manchester, Liverpool, and Scotland. Network Rail engineers worked urgently to restore service.

Passenger Chaos as Key Routes Grind to Halt

The disruption began just before 3 PM GMT. It immediately affected Avanti West Coast services. Other operators like CrossCountry and London Northwestern Railway were also impacted.

Euston station became dangerously overcrowded. British Transport Police implemented crowd control measures. The London Underground station at Euston was temporarily closed to prevent further congestion.

According to BBC News, the fault occurred on a critical section of the West Coast Main Line. This is one of the busiest rail routes in the country. The breakdown caused a domino effect of cancellations and long delays across the network.

Compensation and Travel Advice for Affected Travelers

Rail companies quickly enacted ticket acceptance agreements. Passengers could use their tickets on alternative routes and operators. This included services from other London terminals like King’s Cross and St Pancras.

Full refunds are available for abandoned journeys. Delay Repay compensation also applies for significant delays. Travelers were advised not to travel for the rest of the day.

The situation caused widespread frustration. Many passengers reported being stuck on stationary trains for hours. Social media was flooded with images of crowded concourses and anxious travelers.

Thought you’d like to know-

What routes were affected by the Euston station fault?

The signalling fault disrupted all northbound services from London Euston. Key routes to Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Glasgow were suspended. Services on lines through Stafford and Crewe were most severely impacted.

Can I get a refund for my cancelled train journey?

Yes, passengers are entitled to a full refund if their journey was abandoned. If you were delayed by 15 minutes or more, you can also claim compensation via the Delay Repay scheme. Check with your specific train operator for the exact process.

Were any alternative travel arrangements provided?

Yes, ticket acceptance was arranged with several other train operators. This included LNER, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales. Some limited rail replacement bus services were also operational.

How long did the disruption at Euston last?

The initial suspension lasted for several hours during the Friday afternoon peak. While lines reopened later in the evening, significant disruption continued. Residual delays and cancellations affected services into the night.

What caused the major signalling fault?

Network Rail confirmed the issue was a power supply failure. This affected the signalling system in the Stafford area. Such faults can disable the systems that control train movements and ensure safety.