South London Train Derails at Selhurst: Southern, Thameslink Delays All Day

Key Points

• A train derailed this morning near Selhurst Depot in South London, blocking lines towards Norwood Junction and London Bridge.
• Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express services are facing major disruption, with cancellations and delays of up to an hour expected until the end of the day.
• The three train operators issued ‘do not travel’ warnings earlier today, advising commuters there is no ‘guarantee’ they will reach their destinations.
• Large red signs have appeared on display boards at London Victoria, urging passengers to use buses instead.
• A fault with the signalling system between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars is also contributing to the delays.
• National Rail confirmed that London Overground services have been impacted, with delays between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon expected until the end of the day.
• No trains are running at all on the Windrush Line between Sydenham and West Croydon.

South London (South London News) February 8, 2026 – A train derailment near Selhurst Depot has triggered widespread disruption across Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express services, with delays and cancellations set to persist throughout the day. The incident, which occurred this morning, has blocked key lines towards Norwood Junction and London Bridge, prompting urgent ‘do not travel’ warnings from the operators. Commuters have been advised that there is no guarantee of reaching their destinations today, as reported initially by Josh Milton of Metro.co.uk.

What Caused the Train Derailment Near Selhurst Depot?

The derailment took place near Selhurst Depot, a critical rail facility in South London, blocking lines essential for services heading to Norwood Junction and London Bridge. As detailed in the initial coverage by Josh Milton of Metro.co.uk, the incident happened this morning, with the exact cause still under investigation but immediately halting normal operations. This blockage has compounded existing issues, severely impacting peak-hour travel.

A separate fault with the signalling system between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars has exacerbated the chaos, as noted by the same report from Metro.co.uk. National Rail’s updates confirm that these combined problems have led to the most severe disruptions, with engineers working on-site to assess and resolve the issues.

Which Train Operators Are Affected by the Derailment?

Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express services are all facing major disruption following the derailment. According to Josh Milton’s reporting for Metro.co.uk, the three operators issued ‘do not travel’ warnings earlier today, highlighting the scale of the problem. Cancellations and delays of up to an hour are expected until the end of the day, affecting thousands of commuters relying on these routes.

National Rail added that the London Overground has also been impacted, with delays between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon anticipated until late today. Specifically, no trains are running at all on the Windrush Line between Sydenham and West Croydon, as confirmed in the Metro.co.uk article by Josh Milton. These operators have emphasised the lack of any timetable reliability, urging passengers to seek alternatives.

What Travel Warnings Have Been Issued?

The train operators have been unequivocal in their advice to commuters. As reported by Josh Milton of Metro.co.uk, Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express stated there is no ‘guarantee’ passengers will be able to reach their destinations today. This stark warning accompanies widespread cancellations and delays stretching up to an hour, with the disruptions projected to last until the end of the day.

Large red signs have appeared on display boards at London Victoria station, directing travellers to hop on buses instead, according to the Metro.co.uk coverage. National Rail echoed these sentiments, reinforcing the ‘do not travel’ message across affected lines, including the London Overground. Commuters have been encouraged to check live updates, with Josh Milton providing a contact email at josh.milton@metro.co.uk for those impacted to share their experiences.

How Has London Victoria Station Responded?

At London Victoria, one of the busiest hubs in South London, large red signs on display boards are now urging people to use buses to reach their destinations. This immediate response, as covered by Josh Milton in Metro.co.uk, aims to divert passengers away from the crippled rail network amid the derailment’s fallout. The station’s proactive measures reflect the severity of the blockage near Selhurst Depot.

These signs serve as a critical lifeline for stranded travellers, particularly those heading towards Norwood Junction or London Bridge. Metro.co.uk’s reporting highlights how this bus recommendation has become the primary alternative, given the ongoing signalling fault between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars.

What Is the Impact on London Overground Services?

National Rail has confirmed significant repercussions for the London Overground network. Delays between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon are expected to continue until the end of the day, as stated in updates referenced by Josh Milton of Metro.co.uk. This ripple effect from the Selhurst Depot derailment has stranded passengers across multiple lines.

Particularly hard-hit is the Windrush Line, where trains are not running at all between Sydenham and West Croydon. The Metro.co.uk article details how this complete suspension has isolated communities dependent on these routes, amplifying the day’s travel woes.

Why Are Delays Expected to Last All Day?

Engineers are on-site addressing the derailment near Selhurst Depot, but the complexity of re-railing the train and clearing the blocked lines towards Norwood Junction and London Bridge points to prolonged disruption. Josh Milton’s Metro.co.uk report notes that cancellations and delays of up to an hour will persist until the end of the day, with no quick fix in sight. The concurrent signalling fault between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars further complicates recovery efforts.

National Rail’s assessment aligns with this outlook, projecting impacts on Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express, and London Overground services through the evening. Commuters face an uncertain evening rush hour, as all sources emphasise the absence of reliable service guarantees.

What Alternatives Are Available for Commuters?

Passengers at major stations like London Victoria have been directed to buses as the key alternative. As per Josh Milton of Metro.co.uk, the prominent red signs there explicitly advise hopping on buses to navigate around the derailment’s blockade. This shift underscores the rail network’s vulnerability in South London today.

For those on affected Overground routes, such as between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon, National Rail suggests monitoring apps for bus replacements, though specifics on dedicated services remain limited in the coverage. The ‘do not travel’ mantra from Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express reinforces the need for non-rail options.

When Will Services Resume Normally?

No firm timeline for full resumption has been provided, with all disruptions expected to linger until the end of the day. Metro.co.uk’s Josh Milton reports that the derailment’s blockage and signalling issues preclude any swift return to normality, affecting lines to Norwood Junction, London Bridge, and beyond. National Rail’s updates similarly caution against expecting reliable services today.

Recovery hinges on resolving the train’s position near Selhurst Depot and fixing the fault between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars. Commuters are advised to plan for tomorrow’s potential knock-on effects.

Who Should Commuters Contact if Affected?

Josh Milton of Metro.co.uk has directly invited those impacted to get in touch via josh.milton@metro.co.uk, facilitating firsthand accounts of the disruption. National Rail and the operators—Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express—urge checking their official channels for live updates. This contact point ensures voices from South London stations like Victoria and along the Windrush Line are heard.

In the broader context, these channels provide essential support amid the all-day delays from the Selhurst Depot incident.