RMT Union has announced strike action on Saturday, August 15, 2026, affecting East Midlands Railway (EMR) staff and causing significant disruption on routes between Sheffield and London St Pancras. Service will be limited to one train per hour during the day, with trains operating only between 7am and 7pm. Passengers are advised to verify their journeys, including first and last departures, ahead of travel on the strike day.
Service Reductions and Alternative Travel Options
On August 15, EMR will run a drastically reduced timetable, restricting train services between Sheffield and London St Pancras to once every hour from 7am until 7pm. Outside this window, no trains
will operate on this route. An EMR spokesperson said, “There will be a significantly reduced train service to/from London St Pancras with trains starting after 7am and finishing before 7pm only. We advise you to check your full journey, including first and last trains, before travelling on these dates.” Passengers holding pre-booked EMR tickets will be allowed to travel on London North Eastern Railway (LNER) services from Doncaster to London Kings Cross as an alternative.
Background on Service Issues
This strike follows a series of service controversies affecting EMR since July 2026, when reductions to Intercity trains to London St Pancras were announced. These
changes included fewer carriages on the 6:30am and 7:02pm trains and the cancellation of afternoon journeys at 2pm, 2:35pm, and 5pm. Additionally, the recent heatwave in the region has compelled trains to reduce speeds, exacerbating delays and disruptions on EMR routes.
