Fire Closes Standedge Tunnel, Halting Rail Services

A fire in the Standedge Tunnel near Marsden in West Yorkshire has led to the indefinite closure of all rail lines between Marsden and Stalybridge, causing widespread disruptions to train services connecting Manchester and Yorkshire on Monday, January 26. The incident, which broke out on Saturday evening, prompted emergency services to respond and engineers to assess structural damage, rendering the tunnel unsafe for use until repairs are completed.

Network Rail confirmed that staff worked through the night to begin repairs, but the process will continue throughout the day, with the line not expected to reopen until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27. As a result, passengers face cancellations, delays, and route alterations across multiple operators, including TransPennine Express, Northern, and others. The disruption is anticipated to persist until at least the end of Monday, affecting commuters and travelers on key routes.

Services between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield or York, Manchester Victoria and Redcar Central, Liverpool Lime Street and Newcastle, and Liverpool Lime Street and Hull are among those impacted. Northern services between Leeds and Manchester Victoria via...