Key Points
- A fire broke out in Standedge Tunnel between Marsden and Stalybridge, blocking all rail lines and causing severe disruptions to TransPennine Express (TPE) and Northern train services to and from Leeds.
- Trains between Huddersfield and Stalybridge are cancelled, delayed, or diverted, with impacts on routes to Manchester Victoria, Dewsbury, Hebden Bridge, and Brighouse.
- Diversions via the Calder Valley line are in place where possible, but Leeds to Manchester Victoria services will not call at Huddersfield or Stalybridge.
- Rail replacement buses operate hourly: Dewsbury-Huddersfield (XX:15 from 10:15-14:15), Huddersfield-Dewsbury (XX:45 from 09:45-14:45), Stalybridge-Huddersfield via Mossley/Greenfield/Slaithwaite/Marsden (XX:00 from 09:00-14:00), Huddersfield-Manchester Piccadilly via Marsden etc. (XX:00 from 10:00-14:00).
- Ticket acceptance is valid on TPE services between Liverpool Lime Street/Manchester Piccadilly-Sheffield, plus CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, LNER, Metrolink, and Northern.
- Disruption initially expected until 16:00 on 25 January 2026, but the tunnel remains unsafe for urgent repairs as of 26 January, with ongoing impacts into Monday.
- Emergency services, including West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, attended the blaze; no details on fire cause released yet.
- National Rail Enquiries advises checking journeys; compensation available for delays over 15 minutes via Delay Repay.
- Passengers advised: From Manchester to Huddersfield, take service to Dewsbury then bus; from Leeds to Huddersfield, consider Sheffield routes or Dewsbury change.
- Overcrowding expected on alternatives; check operators before travel.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) January 26, 2026 – Train passengers travelling to and from Leeds are facing ongoing disruptions on Monday due to urgent repairs following a fire in Standedge Tunnel between Marsden and Stalybridge, as confirmed by TransPennine Express.
- Key Points
- What Caused the Standedge Tunnel Fire?
- Which Train Operators Are Affected?
- What Are the Diversion and Replacement Details?
- How Are Passengers Advised to Travel?
- What Is the Timeline of Disruptions?
- Who Responded to the Incident?
- What Compensation Is Available?
- Why Does This Matter for Leeds Commuters?
Northern has also cancelled several trains to and from Leeds today, affecting services to Manchester Victoria, Dewsbury, Hebden Bridge, and Brighouse, with the blaze blocking all lines across the Pennines.
What Caused the Standedge Tunnel Fire?
The fire erupted inside the historic Standedge Tunnel, a 3-mile-long structure under the Pennines, prompting emergency services to respond swiftly.
As reported on National Rail Enquiries, “Following a fire in Standedge Tunnel, it is currently not safe to use the tunnel until further repairs can be completed,” leading to all lines being blocked since Sunday morning.
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service was contacted by ITV News Calendar but no specific cause—such as electrical fault or freight issue—has been publicly detailed by authorities as of Monday afternoon.
Rail staff are on site working to resolve the issue, but TransPennine Express stated on social media that
“due to emergency services addressing fire in Standedge between Marsden and Stalybridge, all lines are obstructed.”
Which Train Operators Are Affected?
TransPennine Express services between Leeds and Manchester are severely hit, with trains unable to run between Marsden and Stalybridge in both directions.
Northern services to Manchester Victoria, Dewsbury, Hebden Bridge, and Brighouse from Leeds have seen multiple cancellations.
CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, and London North Eastern Railway routes face knock-on delays, while Metrolink between Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria may experience pressure.
RailAdvent reported that “trains between Huddersfield and Stalybridge may be cancelled, delayed or diverted,” emphasising the broad impact on West Yorkshire routes.
What Are the Diversion and Replacement Details?
Where possible, trains between Leeds and Manchester Victoria divert via the Calder Valley line, skipping Huddersfield and Stalybridge to keep passengers moving.
Detailed rail replacement transport includes hourly buses: Dewsbury to Huddersfield at XX:15 (10:15-14:15), Huddersfield to Dewsbury at XX:45 (09:45-14:45), Stalybridge to Huddersfield calling at Mossley, Greenfield, Slaithwaite, and Marsden at XX:00 (09:00-14:00), and Huddersfield to Manchester Piccadilly via those stops at XX:00 (10:00-14:00).
BBC News noted that TransPennine Express anticipates disruptions until 16:00 GMT on Sunday, but updates confirm extension into Monday for safety repairs.
Network Rail Manchester posted on X:
“Trains that divert between #Leeds and #ManchesterVictoria will NOT call at #Huddersfield & #Stalybridge. Disruption is expected until 16:00.”
How Are Passengers Advised to Travel?
Passengers needing Huddersfield from Manchester Victoria should board a service to Dewsbury and change for a bus, as advised by TransPennine Express.
From Leeds to Huddersfield, consider routes via Sheffield or alight at Dewsbury for bus connections, per TPE social media updates.
Ticket acceptance allows use on TPE between Liverpool Lime Street/Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield, plus CrossCountry, EMR, LNER, Metrolink, and Northern services.
National Rail urges:
“Check before you travel using the real-time Journey Planner,”
warning of potential overcrowding and changes at short notice.
What Is the Timeline of Disruptions?
The incident was reported at 07:33 on Sunday 25 January 2026, with initial disruption until 16:00 that day.
ITV News Calendar stated disruption expected until 8pm Sunday, but RailAdvent and others extended forecasts to 4pm Sunday, now spilling into Monday 26 January.
Yahoo News confirmed on Monday: “Major train disruption continues after fire breaks out,” with the tunnel unsafe pending repairs.
DP Simulation reported: “Significant disruption expected to continue until at least 16:00,” highlighting persistent closures.
Who Responded to the Incident?
Emergency services, including West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, dealt with the blaze, as noted by TransPennine Express.
Rail operators like TPE Customer Service issued statements:
“Trains cannot run between these locations… for the rest of today.”
National Rail Enquiries provides live updates, while operators monitor cleanliness and safety on alternatives, per TPE FAQs.
No passenger injuries reported across sources; focus remains on swift restoration.
What Compensation Is Available?
Passengers delayed 15+ minutes can claim via Delay Repay, keeping tickets and noting journeys, as per National Rail.
TransPennine Express confirms: “Been delayed by 15+ minutes? You can claim money back.”
This applies to affected services, supporting claims with journey details amid widespread diversions and cancellations.
Why Does This Matter for Leeds Commuters?
Leeds commuters reliant on Pennine routes face extended travel times, potential overcrowding on Calder Valley diversions, and reliance on hourly buses.
The Standedge Tunnel’s closure underscores vulnerabilities in key trans-Pennine infrastructure, impacting daily travel between West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.
With Monday disruptions ongoing, workers and students are urged to plan ahead, check apps, and allow extra time—exacerbating post-weekend pressures.
YorkMix highlighted:
“Staff are on site working to… all lines are closed,”
