Train services into and out of London Waterloo will be significantly altered from Saturday 27 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026 as engineers deliver essential infrastructure upgrades near Queenstown Road. The project aims to enhance safety and reliability on one of Britain’s busiest rail corridors.
More than 350 engineers will be on site renewing track, switches and crossings, and conductor rail between Queenstown Road and Nine Elms junction. The works also include platform alterations at Queenstown Road station to accommodate the new track layout. In addition, the programme will reinforce the railway’s foundations with new ballast and sleepers and improve electric power delivery to trains.
Service Changes at a Glance
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day: No train services, as per usual.
- Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 December: No trains will call at London Waterloo; services will terminate at Clapham Junction.
- Monday 29 December – Sunday 4 January: Reduced timetables will operate. Updated schedules will be available from 3 October.
- Queenstown Road station: Closed throughout the works (27 Dec – 4 Jan).
- Vauxhall station: Closed 27–30 December and on 1 January. Trains will call at Vauxhall on New Year’s Eve and from 2 January onwards.
- Ticket acceptance: Alternative routes will be available; details via National Rail Enquiries or the SWR website.
Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, George Murrell, Route Renewals Director, said:
“We are advising passengers to plan ahead and use alternative routes into the capital between Christmas and New Year. We are sorry for the disruption this closure between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction will cause however these works will provide a more reliable journey for everyone who travels on one of the country’s busiest railways.”
Image credit: Network Rail
