Train services into and out of London Waterloo will change from Saturday 27 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026 as engineers carry out vital upgrades near Queenstown Road. The work 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.
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 .”
Changes to train services
- On Christmas Day and Boxing Day there will be no train services as normal.
- No trains will call at London Waterloo from Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 December with trains terminating at Clapham Junction.
- From Monday 29 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January, timetable reductions will be in place. Timetables will be available from 3 October.
- Queenstown Road station will be closed from Saturday 27 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026
- Vauxhall station will be closed from Saturday 27 December to Tuesday 30 December 2025, and on 1 January 2026. Trains will call at Vauxhall on New Years Eve, and from 2 January 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
Further details on the works being carried out can be found by visiting Network Rail’s dedicated project webpage.
Image credit: Network Rail
