London rail passengers face significant disruption over Christmas and New Year as Network Rail carries out a £152 million programme of engineering works across the capital and beyond.
While most of the railway will remain open, major routes and stations will close or run amended services between late December and early January, affecting journeys to Paddington, Liverpool Street, Euston and several southeast London stations. Passengers are being urged to check before travelling and allow extra time.
Why the works are happening
Network Rail schedules much of its biggest engineering work over the festive period, when passenger numbers are traditionally lower. The £152 million investment covers upgrades intended to improve reliability, capacity and the long-term quality of journeys.
As usual, most train services in England will not run on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, but this year’s works extend well beyond those two days.
What is happening
London Paddington
Closed to trains: Thursday, December 25 to Sunday, January 3
Paddington will close to train services from Christmas Day while Network Rail carries out track and overhead line upgrades, including major work at Dolphin Junction near Slough.
The closure affects:
- Elizabeth line services to and from Paddington
- Heathrow Express services
- Great Western Railway services to the Thames Valley, West of England and South Wales
Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express services are due to return to Paddington from New Year’s Eve. GWR services will not return until Monday, January 4.
Some GWR services will terminate at Reading, while others will be diverted to London Euston. Paddington station will remain open for passengers to access toilets and other facilities.
London Liverpool Street and Great Eastern Main Line
Closed through Forest Gate: Thursday, December 25 to Sunday, January 3
The railway through Forest Gate in east London will shut for 10 days while engineers replace worn track on a busy approach to London Liverpool Street.
Services affected include:
- Greater Anglia trains on the Great Eastern Main Line
- Elizabeth line services through east London
No trains will run through the affected area until the early hours of Monday, January 4.
There will also be separate disruption for c2c passengers between Sunday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 29, because of track renewal work at Barking. A rail replacement service will run between Upminster, Rainham, Purfleet and Grays.
Redhill and Brighton Main Line
Disrupted: Sunday, December 20 to Sunday, January 3
The railway through Redhill will close for the replacement of track and points. More than a mile of track will be renewed as part of a wider £31.7 million programme of upgrades across Network Rail’s southern region.
Fast-line services to Brighton and Gatwick Airport will continue to run, but passengers should expect alterations and longer journeys.
Rail replacement buses will operate between Reigate and affected stations from Earlswood to Purley. Stations with no train service will include:
- Earlswood
- Redhill
- Merstham
- Coulsdon South
- Nutfield
- Godstone
Thameslink will run no trains between Purley and Horley via Redhill, while Southern services between Redhill and Tonbridge will run only between Edenbridge and Tonbridge.
Charing Cross, Waterloo East and Cannon Street
No Southeastern services: Thursday, January 1 to Sunday, January 3
All three central London stations will have no Southeastern train services during the first three days of January.
Most Southeastern trains will be diverted to London Victoria, with a limited service from London Bridge. Replacement buses will serve several southeast London stations, including:
- Hither Green
- Grove Park
- Lee
- New Eltham
London Euston
Reduced and amended services: Sunday, December 27 to Sunday, January 3
Euston will not close, but passengers should expect a reduced service. Avanti West Coast will operate a reduced timetable, while London Northwestern Railway trains will run to amended times.
The changes are partly needed to accommodate GWR trains diverted from Paddington during the Dolphin Junction works. Passengers travelling to the West Midlands, North West England and Scotland should check their specific service before setting off.
How to travel
Passengers should check their journey with National Rail or their train operator before travelling, particularly if they are heading to an airport, travelling long distance, or returning home after the holidays. National Rail’s festive travel guide covers Thursday, December 24, 2026 to Monday, January 4, 2027.
