Warning Wil Robinson - Danger - Train Drivers massive strike Thurs 15 September

Hahaha, Wil Robinson!

Thanks for keeping us informed, Nigel!

Thanks for the updates Nigel! I'm preparing for my 16-day trip around England leaving next week. We're relying on public transit, so it's been super helpful to stay on top of when these strikes are happening.

I have tickets to Blenheim Palace on the 15th, planning to travel from Oxford. I know we could take a bus or taxi rather than a train, but should I be thinking about trying to switch my day at Blenheim? I'll be in Oxford from the 12th-16th, so wonder if I should try to switch the Blenheim day to the 13th and have the 15th be my full day in Oxford (the 14th we're doing a Cotswolds day tour). Just want to do everything I can to make sure I get to the places I want to go and have bought tickets for :-D

From past experience on ASLEF strike days the service from Oxford is very limited - just a hourly local shuttle service to and from Reading stopping at most intermediate stations. Although you could change at Didcot for the limited fast service to London, switching the days would seem to be the best to avoid hassle and extra long journeys.

LOL. Warning, Will Robinson! Aliens approaching!!👽👽

Bus from Oxford to Blenheim is super easy, very frequent, and cheap. And you get an admission discount.

Thank you for the update, Nigel. It just so happens that we (family of four) have tickets on LNER from Edinburgh to York on Thursday, Sept. 15. Any suggestions?

Same as I have given previously - find the webpage of the operator LNER, subscribe or get an account and read it religiously. If it doesn't talk about this strike just announced it will soon.

Easiest - go before or after that date (yes I know it isn't easy). I'm afraid that we are not in normal times and between covid, strikes, cost of living and war it pays to be flexible.. I wish you success..

Just got back Monday from a 3 country tour that ended up being a 5 country tour due to train strikes. Ended up taking an Uber to my son's car he left at a car park outside of London. We then drove to Scotland instead of taking the train as originally planned. Ferries were then driven onto to get to N. Ireland, where we then drove to Ireland. On the way back from Galway, we ended up going by ferry to Wales to save drive time on the other side. The good part was being able to travel through the Highlands of Scotland, which was on my original plan two years ago but that got pushed to the side when my grown kids wanted to see Ireland and London on this trip. We drove through a beautiful forest on the way that my son found last minute.

My daughter also found a cute AirBnb in the Wales countryside for us to stay at. Too bad we didn't have more time to explore the area. Had to cancel one hotel night in London.

When the trains were going again we had difficulty after going through the turnstil one night as there was a football game we didn't know about. The trains were packed with people and no way to get on. So after seeing two trains leave full we left and took an uber to our destination.

I’m pretty sure it counts as Underground rather than Overground but I just want to confirm that this does NOT include the Piccadilly line from Heathrow. Thanks!

As these strikes have extended into September I’m glad I rebooked my flight when BA cancelled the original one to Edinburgh from Heathrow rather than take the train. The train is looking more and more precarious.

I appreciate you letting us know about the strikes. I have GWR tickets from Oxford to London on Wednesday 14 September at 3pm. Is there any risk to this train? I hope it is not too late in the day so that it could be affected by the strike next day? Does the strike start at midnight?

I’m pretty sure it counts as Underground rather than Overground but I just want to confirm that this does NOT include the Piccadilly line from Heathrow.

The London Underground is not affected by this strike. The Piccadilly Line is London Underground (the tube).

a 3pm train the day before is unlikely to be affected. A 3pm train the day before is likely to be busy.