Notice Given of Changes to London Rail Services Over Christmas

Published on: 14 Dec, 2025
Updated on: 16 Dec, 2025

Waterloo Station in London

Train services from Guildford and elsewhere into and out of London Waterloo will change from Saturday, December 27 2025 to Sunday, January 4 2026 as engineers carry out vital upgrades near Queenstown Road station.

The work, says Network Rail, will improve safety and reliability on one of the country’s busiest railways.

More than 350 engineers will renew track, switches and crossings, and conductor rail between Queenstown Road and Nine Elms junction. Platforms at Queenstown Road station will also be altered to fit the new track layout. The programme will strengthen the railway’s foundations with new ballast and sleepers and improve electric power delivery to trains.

Changes to train services:

On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, as normal, there will be no train services.
No trains will call at London Waterloo from Saturday, December 27 to Sunday December 28 with trains terminating at Clapham Junction.
From Monday December 29 to Sunday January 4, timetable reductions will be in place.
Queenstown Road station will be closed from Saturday, December 27 to Sunday, January 4.
Vauxhall station will be closed from Saturday, December 27 to Tuesday, 30 December 30, and on January 1. Trains will call at Vauxhall on New Years Eve, and from January 2 onwards.
Ticket acceptance will be in place on alternative routes and details of this will be found by visiting National Rail Enquiries or the SWR website where further details on the works being carried out can also be found at the dedicated project webpage.

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.”