A low-speed train derailment near Milton Keynes on 26 June 2025 has blocked two key tracks on the West Coast Main Line, leading to severe delays and reduced services into London Euston as Network Rail undertakes emergency repairs.
Major disruption continues to affect rail services following a train derailment near Milton Keynes on 26 June 2025. The incident, which occurred in the Bletchley area at around 12:30 pm, involved a low-speed derailment of a train that was not in passenger service at the time. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, the derailment has blocked two of the four tracks on the West Coast Main Line, leading to significant operational challenges.
As a result of the blockage, services on the route into and out of London Euston have been severely impacted. London Northwestern Railway has announced a reduced service schedule, running just two trains per hour between Northampton and London Euston. Trains operating between Crewe and London Euston, as well as between Birmingham and Northampton, continue but are subject to delays. Rail replacement buses have been deployed to cover some of the cancelled journeys, according to reports.
The disruption is compounded by additional infrastructure issues, including a problem with overhead wires in the Northampton area, which prompted cancellations of morning services originating there. Delays of up to 90 minutes have been reported on several routes, creating difficulties for commuters and travellers relying on timely connections along this key corridor.
Network engineers are currently engaged in recovery efforts to move the stranded train and undertake emergency repairs on the damaged track section. Network Rail has emphasised the priority of restoring full service as soon as possible but advises passengers to check the status of their journeys before travelling. The reduced capacity on the West Coast Main Line is expected to persist as repairs continue over the coming days.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of major rail arteries to even low-speed derailments, which can cause extensive ripple effects on service reliability. Passengers travelling into London Euston and neighbouring hubs are urged to plan ahead and remain informed of service updates as the situation develops.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from Network Rail dated 26 June 2025, detailing a recent train derailment near Milton Keynes. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 26 June 2025, indicating high freshness. The press release format typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No earlier versions show different information. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Gary Walsh, Director for Network Rail’s West Coast South route, are unique to this press release. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from Network Rail, a reputable organisation responsible for Britain's railway infrastructure. This enhances the reliability of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the train derailment near Milton Keynes on 26 June 2025 are corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including Network Rail and BBC News. The narrative provides specific details such as the time of the incident, the number of tracks affected, and the involvement of Network Rail engineers, all of which are consistent with other reports. The language and tone are consistent with official communications from Network Rail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is a recent press release from Network Rail, detailing a train derailment near Milton Keynes on 26 June 2025. The information is corroborated by multiple reputable sources, and the quotes are unique to this release. The source is reliable, and the claims are plausible and consistent with other reports. No signs of disinformation or recycled content were found.
