Waterloo station delays: broken down train sparks travel chaos for South Western passengers

Commuters were facing an evening of travel chaos after a broken down train sparked delays and cancellations at London Waterloo.

Huge crowds gathered at the busy transport hub as passengers battled to get home from work on Tuesday evening.

National Rail said a line was blocked by a broken down train at Clapham Junction, which caused disruption to major routes.

South Western Railway passengers were warned to expected delays until the end of service.

Frustrated commuters took to social media to vent their outrage at the mayhem, with many posting images of huge crowds gathered on the busy station’s concourse.

One commuter wrote on Twitter: “Carnage at Waterloo stn.

“Taxis now being arranged for literally hundreds of stranded commuters (Inc me!). Unbelievable.”

And another said: “Apparently a problem at one line at Clapham causes chaos on the whole of the train network out of Waterloo.”

Another Londoner said: “This message of alternative routes actually means ‘don’t use SWR’. Waiting 2.5 hrs at Waterloo with no info.”

In its latest statement, National Rail said: “All lines have reopened through Clapham Junction following a broken down train.

“Due to one of the lines being blocked for 90 minutes, there is severe congestion affecting trains to and from London Waterloo.

“Trains are expected to remain disrupted until the end of service.”