Train Track Upgrade Completed on Schedule
Full service between Waterloo and Clapham Junction has resumed
Work was carried out over an eight day period. Picture: SWR
January 5, 2026
Rail services between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction resumed this Monday morning (5 January) following 11 days of major engineering work on one of the busiest sections of the South Western Railway (SWR) network.
More than 350 engineers have been working every day since Christmas Day to deliver a package of upgrades in the Queenstown Road area. The works included:
- Renewing around 1,000 metres of track, including the electrified third rail
- Replacing switches and crossings to improve the ability of trains to change tracks
- Completing signalling and power system upgrades
- Installing new ballast and sleepers to strengthen track foundations
- Altering platforms at Queenstown Road station to accommodate the new layout
The work was scheduled over the Christmas period, when passenger numbers are significantly lower, to minimise disruption. Completing the programme in one block avoided the need for eight separate weekend closures.
George Murrell, Route Renewals Director for South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, thanked customers for their patience during the closure. He said, “I’d like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding while we carried out these essential upgrades at London Waterloo. The improvements will make one of the busiest stretches of railway in the country more resilient and customers can expect fewer faults and delays, together with smoother and more reliable journeys.”
Although full weekday services have now resumed, two further partial closures are planned between Waterloo and Clapham Junction on the weekends of 10–11 January and 31 January–1 February to allow additional maintenance to take place.
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 January
Saturday
-
London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond & Wimbledon
Only running between Clapham Junction and Kingston via Richmond. -
London Waterloo to Reading services
Will start from Clapham Junction. -
London Waterloo to Weybridge via Staines services
Will start from Clapham Junction.
➜ These normally call at Putney, so relevant. -
London Waterloo to Windsor services
Will start from Clapham Junction.
➜ These normally call at Putney, so relevant.
Sunday
-
London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond & Wimbledon
Only running between Clapham Junction and Kingston via Richmond. -
London Waterloo to Reading services
Will start from Clapham Junction. -
London Waterloo to Woking via Staines services
Will start from Clapham Junction. -
London Waterloo to Windsor services
Will start from Clapham Junction. -
London Waterloo to Kingston via Hounslow services
Afternoon and evening services will not run.
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January
The lines between Barnes and Feltham via Hounslow will be closed all weekend due to maintenance work.
Saturday
London Waterloo to Weybridge via Staines services will be revised. These services will be diverted between Barnes and Feltham and will call additionally at Richmond and Twickenham.
Buses will run between Barnes and Feltham via Hounslow.
Sunday
London Waterloo to Woking via Staines services will be revised. These services will be diverted between Barnes and Feltham and will call additionally at Richmond and Twickenham.
Buses will run between Barnes and Feltham via Hounslow.
The afternoon and evening London Waterloo to Kingston via Hounslow services will not run.
Buses will run between Barnes and Twickenham via Hounslow (afternoon and evening only).
Passengers are advised to check their journeys in advance using SWR’s journey planner at southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey.
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