London Thameslink trains disrupted for 2 weeks over Christmas

Jake Holden
·2-min read
The Thameslink will be closed through Central London throughout Christmas
-Credit: (Image: National Rail)


A significant part of Thameslink train services through Central London are due to be closed for two weeks over the Christmas period. Travellers are advised to check their routes before booking trains and consider alternatives.

The line from St Pancras International to Herne Hill will be closed from Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, to Sunday, December 29.

This means Thameslink services between St Albans City and Sutton via Mitcham Junction/Wimbledon will not run, including central London stations at St Pancras International, Farringdon, Blackfriars, Elephant and Castle, Loughborough Junction and Herne Hill. Around 1,670 metres of track will be replaced between Farringdon and Blackfriars during the closure.

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Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex Route director said: “The rails between St Pancras International and Blackfriars were installed in 2011, and after 13 years and thousands of trains passing over the track, the rails are worn and need replacing with brand new rail to prevent faults delaying passenger journeys.

“With the railway closed anyway on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, engineers will get a head start on the work ready for this crucial route to reopen.”

Thameslink passenger advice

Services north of St Pancras will also be affected from December 21 to January 5
This route appears in the list three separate times -Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

  • Trains between St Albans City and Sutton via Mitcham Junction/Wimbledon will not run.

  • Trains between Bedford/Luton and Three Bridges will not run. On Saturday 29 December, the service will only run between London Bridge and Three Bridges (1 train per hour).

  • Trains between Bedford and Brighton will only run between London Bridge and Brighton (2 trains per hour).

  • Trains between Luton and Rainham will only run between London Bridge and Rainham (1 train per hour).

  • Trains between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks will run between London Victoria and Sevenoaks (1 train per hour).

Further Thameslink closures

Additionally, work taking place north of St Pancras over the festive period means Thameslink routes between London and Bedford will see disruption from Saturday, December 21 until Sunday, January 5. There will be no Thameslink trains between St Pancras and Harpenden from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 December.

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Rail replacement buses will be operating on some routes, but these will be limited, and they are expected to be extremely busy. Services to and from airports will be affected during this period with fewer trains serving Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport Parkway.

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