Storm Boelo disruption lingers on Northern, ScotRail and Transport for Wales services

Rail passengers across Britain continued to face disruption on Monday, October 26, after Storm Boelo brought damaging winds and heavy rain over the preceding weekend, according to National Rail [1]. Three operators remained affected, while new weather warnings raised the prospect of further delays across England, Scotland and Wales. National Rail said in an update issued at 10:29am on Monday that Northern, ScotRail and Transport for Wales were still experiencing disruption linked to the storm, even though the main weather system had passed and services had not fully returned to normal on all affected routes, according to [1]. Northern operates regional services across northern England, including routes linking Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle with surrounding towns, according to [1]. ScotRail serves the Scottish network, while Transport for Wales connects destinations across Wales and parts of western England, the source said. National Rail stressed that the continued disruption did not mean every service run by these companies had been cancelled, and advised passengers to check their specific train and route rather than assume an entire regional network was unavailable [1]. Trains may run at reduced speeds where weather conditions raise safety concerns, National Rail said. Scotland experienced some of the most serious restrictions during the storm itself. On Saturday, October 24, ScotRail suspended services on routes towards Ayr, Girvan and Stranraer as strong winds threatened infrastructure, according to [1]. Services between Glasgow Central and Ayr were particularly affected, with trains unable to run beyond Kilwinning once restrictions took effect, the report said. The disruption also affected stations serving coastal communities and Prestwick International Airport, according to [1]. However, National Rail cautioned that cancellations announced for October 24 and 25 should not be assumed to continue automatically on October 26, and urged passengers to check Monday's actual timetable. The Met Office issued additional yellow warnings for strong winds in parts of Britain, according to [1]. One warning covers south-west England and the western coasts of England and Wales from Monday evening into the early hours of Tuesday, October 27, while a separate warning affects Scotland during Tuesday, the source said. National Rail said the forecast conditions could cause additional disruption even on routes where the original storm-related restrictions had already been lifted. Strong winds can bring trees and branches onto tracks, obstruct lines and damage overhead electrical equipment, according to [1]. Operators may also impose temporary speed restrictions on exposed sections of track, which can increase journey times and cause missed connections, the report said. National Rail advised passengers whose services are cancelled to check operators' websites for alternative travel arrangements, noting that replacement buses are not automatically provided, particularly where weather also affects roads. Travellers with connecting journeys were urged to check every leg before departure, with National Rail recommending use of its real-time Journey Planner. Passengers may be eligible for compensation depending on their operator, ticket conditions and the circumstances of the delay, according to [1]. National Rail said Monday's developments were separate from emergency timetable changes announced before the weekend, and that no other operators were currently reporting planned storm-related alterations, though short-notice changes remained possible, according to [1]. The report said the official information did not indicate Britain's entire railway network was closed, but confirmed that the effects of Storm Boelo were continuing beyond the weekend.