Operator: Thameslink
Routes affected:Between Kentish Town and Gillingham (Kent) / Rainham (Kent), also between Luton / West Hampstead Thameslink and Rainham (Kent)
Twitter Hashtag: GillinghamDescription of Incident
A fault with the signalling system between Chatham and Rainham (Kent) means all lines are disrupted. As a result, trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until 23:00.
Customer advice:
Delays are expected between Gillingham and Rainham this evening. Some services may be amended as a result, so will have cancelled stops or will terminate and restart at a different station to normal instead.
You can travel using your normal route but please check before you travel and allow extra time – we’d advise an extra 20 minutes.
Planning your journey:
You can see the live departure boards, and view a live map of the network.
You can use the Thameslink app to find up-to-date information.
Can you tell me more about the incident?
This part of the network uses axle counters to detect trains by tracking their wheels. If one fails, the system may think a train is still there, preventing others from moving forward.
Drivers must stop at red signals and get verbal permission to proceed at a reduced speed, which can cause significant delays, especially in areas with long track sections.
Faults can be caused by electronic issues or debris. Network Rail is investigating, and we’ll share updates as soon as we have them.
Check before you travel:
You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.
Compensation:
You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.
For the very latest National Rail information click here. Stay informed with our real-time National Rail incidents feed, providing you with up-to-the-minute updates on disruptions and incidents affecting the UK’s railway network. This page is dedicated to delivering accurate and timely information to the public, helping you plan your journeys better and stay ahead of any potential delays. Trust us for all your National Rail incident updates, because we understand that knowledge is the key to a smoother and more convenient travel experience. Please check back for the latest Thameslink status updates and disruption travel news. This page created on: 12-Dec-2025 21:07:49: PM