THE NUMBER of train operators warning of disruptions caused by the cold weather fell today as a slight thaw set in, but there are still no trains on a number of routes, particularly in Scotland, while both First Capital Connect and Eurostar are running fewer trains than usual. There are also cancellations on some other lines, including the London-Leeds route of East Coast.

First Capital Connect's emergency timetable, which began on 13 November and was slightly improved a month later, has been cut back even further to just two stopping trains an hour on its Thameslink route, with some extra trains during the peaks. FCC says it is doing all it can to improve on its ‘severely limited’ timetable, and is running replacement buses on five routes, including fast services linking Luton and St Albans with St Pancras.

FCC revealed that the traction motors of its Class 319 units, which are the core of the Thameslink fleet, have suffered serious frost damage. A spokesman said: “We've been rushing in replacement parts, and staff at our depots have been working round the clock to bring as many trains back into service as soon as we can.”

Eurostar has been running a limited service for several days, but hopes to restore most of its normal timetable tomorrow (Tuesday). For the moment, it is still asking its customers to postpone or cancel their journeys if they can.

Other domestic operators have stepped up the number of trains on most routes, and normal services have been restored in many areas. There is still no service, however, on several Scottish lines.

ATOC reported that performance figures had continued to improve today, now that many lines are running normally again. The latest figures are that 17 per cent of trains had arrived late and that 4 per cent were cancelled, down from a peak cancellation rate of 11 per cent during the worst of last week's weather.

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Situation report 11 January, 12.00 (source: ATOC)

East Coast
(1) No service Inverness-Perth (replacement buses)
(3) No service Edinburgh-Glasgow (ScotRail is running)
(8) Many cancellations London-Leeds
Additional calls at Morpeth

Eurostar
(7) Limited timetable continues today
Near-normal service hoped for tomorrow, Tuesday

First Capital Connect (Thameslink)
(4) No service Wimbledon loop
Very limited service off-peak: two trains an hour Bedford-Brighton, calling all stations
Some additional trains in peak hours
Replacement buses are running on five routes to supplement Thameslink

First Capital Connect (Great Northern)
(4) Emergency timetable. Twice hourly London-Cambridge/Peterborough
No through services King's Lynn-London (change at Royston)

First Transpennine
(5) No service Manchester-Newcastle
Trains not calling at Yarm
Some cancellations on Manchester-Glasgow/Edinburgh route
Replacement buses Middlesbrough-Yarm and Northallerton-Yarm

National Express East Anglia
Liverpool Street-Lowestoft/Peterborough start from Ipswich
Warning of short notice changes on other routes
Stansted Express running every half hour

Northern
(5) No service Manchester-Manchester Airport-Styal-Crewe
Some cancellations Newcastle-Metro Centre
(2) No service Newcastle-Morpeth/Chathill: replacement buses Newcastle-Cramlington only
Some other cancellations Manchester area

Scotrail
No train services, with replacement buses:
  (6) Elgin-Inverurie
  (3) Motherwell-Lanark
  (1) Inverness-Aviemore
No services:
  (3) Milngavie-High Street(Glasgow) 
  (3) Dalmuir-Springburn 
  (3) Cathcart Circle

(3) Some other Strathclyde services reduced
Sleepers still subject to change

Southern
(4) Some alterations/cancellations London-South Coast

South West Trains
(4) No service Dorking-London Waterloo
(Southern services Dorking-Epsom are running)

National Rail Enquiries recorded updates for all operators:
08453 017641