Rail services north of Preston in Cumbria remain disrupted on Monday 26 October 2026 following Storm Boelo, with Northern Rail canceling and delaying trains on routes including Preston-Barrow and Windermere-Oxenholme. The storm has caused delays and cancellations affecting passenger travel throughout Lancashire and Cumbria.
Delays on Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express Cancellations
Avanti West Coast trains experienced lengthy delays, with the 8:44am Oxenholme to Glasgow service running over one hour late on Monday morning. TransPennine Express canceled services to Glasgow and Liverpool due to a train fault. The storm left thousands without power; Electricity North West reported 6,761 properties across South Cumbria without electricity as of noon on
Sunday 25 October, with restoration efforts ongoing.
Road blockages caused by fallen trees, particularly along the A591 between Ambleside and Windermere and the A593 near Skelwith Bridge, were cleared by Monday morning, but residual travel disruptions persist.
Official Warnings and Weather Outlook
Northern Rail has warned that cancellations and delays caused by the severe weather will continue through at least the end of Monday 26 October. National Rail advises passengers to verify journey status before traveling, as routes remain affected. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind affecting Cumbria from 3am until the end of Tuesday 27 October, with 3,359 properties facing
potential power restoration delays until 6pm that day.
Impact on Passengers and Travel Advice
Passengers on Northern Rail routes in Cumbria and Lancashire are dealing with ongoing cancellations and delays, with some services running significantly late or canceled. Travelers are urged to check live updates and allow additional time for journeys, especially on routes north of Preston where full service resumption is not expected by Monday evening. The yellow warning for Tuesday may extend current disruptions.
Storm Damage and Cause of Disruption
Storm Boelo brought heavy rain and strong winds to North West England and Cumbria, causing damage to railway overhead electric wires and resulting in fallen trees blocking tracks and roads.
Cumbria Police reported multiple flooding events and fallen trees during the storm, complicating rail operations. The damage to infrastructure and adverse weather conditions have led to extended delays and cancellations across the affected rail network.
