Thameslink disruption on St Albans line to continue
Wires down at Radlett station - Credit: Photo courtesy of Simon Sabin
PASSENGERS who had to be evacuated from a First Capital Connect (FCC) train earlier today (Wednesday) after an electric cable broke at Radlett station have spoken of their relief at getting home safely.
Network Rail has apologised for severe disruption to services on the Thameslink route after an overhead wire came down at Radlett station today at about 11.30am.
Passengers from five trains had to be evacuated as a result, and severe delays are expected to continue until tomorrow morning.
Two bloggers from St Albans have told the Herts Advertiser that they were travelling on a FCC train into London when they heard an unusual noise.
Kirsty Hornblow explained: “There was a huge whipping noise and it kept going and everyone was waiting for the impact. Everyone knew something was wrong, and that a cable had snapped.
“The cable was striking the roof repeatedly, slapping down on it.”
The train came to a stop and the driver immediately walked along the carriages to explain that the cable had broken and that passengers would have to wait until they could be safely evacuated.
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The two women waited for 90 minutes before being led out of the carriages, along the train track and to Radlett station nearby.
A spokeswoman for Network Rail apologised for the incident and said that no one had been injured.
She said that rail staff were immediately on site assessing damage and fixing the problem.
However severe disruption was expected to last until tomorrow morning with passengers warned to expect delays of up to 90 minutes.
FCC’s website shows that trains have been cancelled and there are major delays because of the cable problem, which is impacting trains across the whole Thameslink route.
It said that all lines are “blocked” between Elstree and Borehamwood and St Albans city and that train services may be cancelled, delayed or changed at short notice.
There are Uno and Arriva buses between Hatfield and St Albans, to connect with the Great Northern route.
Rail replacement bus services are operating, stopping at Harpenden, St Albans and Radlett.
FCC has also apologised for the disruption.
More details on the incident will be published in tomorrow’s edition of the Herts Advertiser.
