⚠️ We're sorry to say that @Se_Railway + @TLRailUK trains will be disrupted this morning by this cracked rail near #NewCross . We're working on a plan to run trains around the problem but it's not a normal rail, so it's not an easy fix. #TLUpdates /1 ⚠️ 
@Se_Railway @TLRailUK It's called a "crossing" which is where one track crosses over another, and it's a bespoke part made from either cast or fabricated steel - a big chunk of steel it is too. We can't just clamp the rail and run trains - we have to cut it out and replace it with a new part. /2
@Se_Railway @TLRailUK Luckily the location means we can cut this part out and put "plain line" in its place, although we won't be able to swing the points and make trains change tracks. This crack was discovered soon after 2am + much of the work has been completed so we hope to have this done soon. /3
@Se_Railway @TLRailUK Eagle-eyed @TLRailUK passengers will wonder why their Luton to Rainham trains were affected - it's because the section of track that was closed to allow the work to take place included the stretch where their trains join the route into London. We hope to have it open soon. /4
@Se_Railway @TLRailUK ⚠️Update from #NewCross - the rail has been installed, we are currently making sure the tracks are the right distance apart and putting speed restriction signs in place for train drivers. More news when we have it. Follow @Se_Railway + @TLRailUK for travel details. #TLUpdates /5
@Se_Railway @TLRailUK The pic (Ashford at Christmas) shows what kind of problem we have. That steel in the middle takes the hit of trains many times an hour and is designed to get harder with every one. Most are made from a type of steel called "manganese" which gets harder when it's hit. /6
@Se_Railway @TLRailUK It's often explosively hardened before it gets to site, so it's already incredibly tough. But even the toughest steel can crack and that's what's happened at #NewCross. We've cut the offending part out + will update you as soon as we can. Really sorry for the disruption today.
