GTR ‘Do Not Travel’ Alert: Selhurst Derailment Hits Southern, Thameslink

Key Points

• A “do not travel” alert was issued by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the UK’s largest railway franchise, urging passengers to avoid travel on Wednesday morning “if at all possible” due to multiple incidents across south-east England.
• Key disruptions include a train derailment inside a depot in Selhurst, south-east London, and a signalling fault between London Blackfriars and Norwood Junction.
• Affected operators are Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express, all under the GTR franchise.
• Services suspended on routes between London Bridge and East Grinstead; Orpington and Luton; Brighton and Cambridge; and Bedford and Three Bridges.
• Trains between Welwyn Garden City and Sevenoaks operating only between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks.
• Services between Rainham and Luton running only between Rainham and Dartford.
• Trains normally operating between Horsham and Peterborough, or Brighton and Bedford, diverted to run via Selhurst instead of Norwood Junction.
• Southern advised passengers: “If you are travelling on our network today, your journey may be delayed and you may need to use an alternative route to reach your destination. If you can, please delay your journey until later today. Please check your train before travelling and allow an additional 60 minutes for your journey.”
• National Rail Enquiries reported that the signalling fault reduced available rail lines between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars, with trains on remaining lines required to travel at slower speeds.
• GTR, including operator Great Northern, carries about 18% of all UK train trips.
• This incident occurs amid ongoing government plans to nationalise rail operators, with West Midlands Trains recently taken into public hands last weekend, and GTR expected next in May.

South London (South London News) February 4, 2026 – Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the operator of Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express services, has issued a stark “do not travel” warning to passengers across south-east England following a train derailment in Selhurst and signalling failures that have paralysed major routes.

What Caused the Major Disruptions on GTR Services?

The disruptions stem from two primary incidents reported early Wednesday. As detailed in initial coverage, a train derailment occurred inside a depot in Selhurst, south-east London, while a separate signalling fault affected the line between London Blackfriars and Norwood Junction.

National Rail Enquiries confirmed that the signalling issue has led to fewer rail lines being available, forcing trains on the remaining lines to operate at reduced speeds. Southern, one of the affected operators, directly communicated to passengers that journeys on their network could face delays, with recommendations to seek alternative routes or postpone travel entirely.

GTR, as the UK’s largest railway franchise by passenger volume, emphasised the severity by advising avoidance of travel “if at all possible”. About 18% of train trips in the UK are handled by GTR services, including Great Northern, making these disruptions particularly widespread.

Which Specific Routes Are Suspended or Altered?

Multiple routes have been hit hard, with full suspensions on several key lines. Services between London Bridge and East Grinstead are suspended, as are those linking Orpington and Luton, Brighton and Cambridge, and Bedford and Three Bridges. Trains that usually run between Welwyn Garden City and Sevenoaks are now limited to operation between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks only. Similarly, services between Rainham and Luton are restricted to Rainham and Dartford.

Diversions are also in place for other services. Trains normally operating between Horsham and Peterborough, or Brighton and Bedford, are being rerouted via Selhurst instead of Norwood Junction.

These changes, prompted by the Selhurst depot derailment and signalling problems, have created a ripple effect across the network.

What Advice Has Southern Given to Passengers?

Southern provided clear guidance to those still planning to travel. The operator stated:

“If you are travelling on our network today, your journey may be delayed and you may need to use an alternative route to reach your destination. If you can, please delay your journey until later today. Please check your train before travelling and allow an additional 60 minutes for your journey.”

This message underscores the potential for significant delays, with passengers urged to check live updates before departing.

National Rail Enquiries echoed this caution, noting the operational constraints between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars. Commuters in south-east England, particularly those reliant on these lines for daily travel to London and beyond, face the prospect of prolonged journey times or complete unavailability of services.

How Does This Fit into Broader Rail Challenges in the UK?

This incident unfolds against a backdrop of systemic pressures on Britain’s rail network. GTR, which encompasses Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express, and Great Northern, is the country’s biggest franchise in terms of passengers carried. The company handles approximately 18% of all train trips across Great Britain, amplifying the impact of any disruption.

Rail operators are currently undergoing nationalisation by the government. West Midlands Trains was the latest to be brought under public control last weekend. GTR is anticipated to follow suit in May, as part of a wider shift returning major operators to public hands. These events highlight ongoing vulnerabilities, from infrastructure faults to operational incidents like the Selhurst derailment.

What Is Known About the Selhurst Train Derailment?

The train derailment inside the Selhurst depot in south-east London marks a critical element of the day’s chaos. While specific details on the cause remain limited in initial reports, it has directly contributed to diversions and suspensions on multiple routes. Selhurst, a key maintenance facility for Southern and Thameslink services, saw the incident unfold early Wednesday, prompting immediate network-wide alerts.

Passengers affected by routes rerouted via Selhurst, such as those between Horsham and Peterborough or Brighton and Bedford, should note the potential for further unpredictability. Authorities have not yet released injury reports or timelines for resolution, but the depot’s role in servicing trains suggests possible longer-term implications for fleet availability.

Why Did GTR Issue a ‘Do Not Travel’ Alert?

GTR’s decision to issue the “do not travel” alert reflects the scale of “multiple incidents” impacting its franchise. Operators Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express jointly urged passengers not to travel on Wednesday morning “if at all possible”. This rare level of advisory signals an expectation of severe, prolonged disruption across south-east England.

The alert covers the entire GTR network, from south London hubs like Selhurst to wider connections including Gatwick Express services. With signalling faults reducing line capacity and the derailment complicating operations, GTR prioritised passenger safety and network stability by discouraging non-essential journeys.

Which Operators Are Affected and What Is GTR’s Scale?

Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express form the core of the disrupted services, all operated under the GTR umbrella. Great Northern, another GTR brand, is also part of the franchise. GTR’s dominance is evident in its passenger figures: about 18% of UK train trips occur on its services, making it the largest franchise by volume.

This extensive reach explains the broad geographical impact, from London Blackfriars to destinations like East Grinstead, Luton, and Cambridge. Commuters in south-east England, including those in south London, are among the most affected.

What Are the Signalling Issues Between Key Stations?

The signalling fault between London Blackfriars and Norwood Junction has drastically reduced available lines. National Rail Enquiries specified that trains must now travel at slower speeds on the remaining lines, exacerbating delays. This stretch is vital for Thameslink and Southern services threading through south London.

The fault compounds the Selhurst derailment, creating bottlenecks that suspend or alter services far beyond the immediate area. Passengers between Norwood Junction and London Blackfriars should anticipate the heaviest impacts.

How Does Nationalisation Relate to These Disruptions?

Great Britain’s rail operators are in the midst of nationalisation. The government took West Midlands Trains into public ownership last weekend, with GTR slated next in May. This process aims to address chronic issues like funding, maintenance, and reliability, though today’s events illustrate persistent challenges.

GTR’s expectation to be nationalised underscores its strategic importance. Incidents like the south London derailment and signalling woes highlight why reform is underway, even as private operators manage day-to-day operations.

What Should Passengers Do Next?

Authorities recommend checking real-time updates via National Rail Enquiries or operator apps. Southern’s advice to add 60 minutes and consider alternatives remains key. With suspensions on major routes and diversions in place, flexibility is essential for those in south-east England.

GTR’s plea to delay journeys “until later today” suggests potential easing as repairs progress. However, the combination of a depot derailment and signalling failure indicates no quick fix, particularly for south London commuters.