Welcome to the Rail Engineering works thread on SE23 Rocks. The aim is to give you an update on the following weekend engineering works from not just Forest Hill and Honor Oak Park, but from other stations that are close by to SE23 such as Catford Bridge, Lower Sydenham and Crofton Park which are also used by SE23 residents who live closer to those stations.
I’ll also occasionally update on weekday late evening engineering works, timetable changes and give you a preview of rail services for the Christmas period to help you plan your commute.
However, please also check the relevant websites or apps if you’re unsure if my information is correct.
So here’s the update for Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April 2026.
Forest Hill & Honor Oak Park:
A normal service operates Saturday on Southern and the Windrush Line. On Sunday, Southern services operate between London Bridge and Crystal Palace only. A normal service operates on the Windrush line.
Catford Bridge & Lower Sydenham:
A normal service operates on Saturday. On Sunday services are diverted to Cannon Street and additionally call at St. Johns and New Cross from start of service until 1015 (at Catford Bridge), the first service to Charing Cross is at 1033.
Crofton Park & Catford:
A reduced service of one train per hour operates between Victoria and Sevenoaks, not calling at Elephant & Castle or Blackfriars. Change at Victoria for the District & Circle Lines for Blackfriars. Buses 171 and 172 go to the Elephant and Castle from outside Crofton Park. (171 from Catford).
Finally to add there is a tube strike from 21-22 April, then again from the 23-24 April. Check the TfL website or TfL Go for the latest updates on disruption to your services. These don’t affect the Elizabeth line, the DLR and other London Overground lines.
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Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th May (Bank Holiday) 2026.
Forest Hill & Honor Oak Park:
No Southern service on Saturday except for the 0557 from Forest Hill to London Bridge and the 0020 and 0035 from London Bridge. A normal service to London Bridge and Victoria operates on Sunday.
The Windrush line operates normally with the exception of Sunday morning when services to West Croydon are diverted to Crystal Palace for part of the morning. The first train to West Croydon is at 0754. If you’re in Croydon trying to get back early Sunday morning, the first train is at 0818 from West Croydon. Use bus 197 before then to Forest Hill or get the 157 to Crystal Palace station to change for Windrush services.
A Saturday service operates on Monday.
Catford Bridge & Lower Sydenham:
Services all weekend and Monday are diverted to Victoria. A reduced service is in operation on Saturday and Monday.
Crofton Park & Catford:
A normal service is in operation this weekend with a Saturday service on Monday.
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Saturday 9th/Sunday 10th May 2026.
Forest Hill & Honor Oak Park:
Normal service on Saturday. On Sunday there is no Southern service to Victoria and London Bridge, while the Windrush line operates to and from Dalston Junction only.
Catford Bridge & Lower Sydenham:
Normal service.
Crofton Park & Catford:
Normal service.
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I only caught a glimpse as I rushed for a train this morning, but I think there will be no Windrush service next week, Mon - Thurs. Is that right?
Seems to be after 2300 mostly next week - from TFL’s website:
WINDRUSH LINE: Monday 11, Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 May, after 2330 each evening, no service between New Cross Gate and West Croydon / Crystal Palace after 2330. The 2232 and 2247 trains from Highbury & Islington to West Croydon will both divert to Crystal Palace. The 2338 train from Dalston Junction to New Cross Gate will not run. Last through trains: New Cross Gate to Crystal Palace 2324, Crystal Palace to New Cross Gate / Highbury & Islington 2332; New Cross Gate to West Croydon 2330, West Croydon to New Cross Gate / Highbury & Islington 2316. Rail replacement buses will run as follows: The bus for Crystal Palace will depart London Bridge at 2358 calling at New Cross Gate, Brockley, Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Crystal Palace, Gipsy Hill, West Norwood, Tulse Hill and Streatham Hill. The bus for East Croydon will depart London Bridge at 0035 calling at New Cross Gate, Brockley, Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Norwood Junction and East Croydon. One return bus from Crystal Palace departs at 2359, calling at all stations to London Bridge via New Cross Gate. Alternatively, use local buses or trams via any reasonable route.
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To add the final Southern service from London Bridge is at 2328.
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We tried to get home from South Kensington last night. It seemed like an obstacle course - everything we tried had a problem; ended up paying for an Uber. Spoiled an otherwise great night out. The Mayor says he wants a ‘night-time economy’, but if you can’t get home after a concert or theatre performance ….
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It’s one of those cases where it’s not the Mayor’s fault. Network Rail manage the track which is operated by the Department for Transport.
It’s going to be more of an issue when Great British Railways take over operation of not just Southern Rail but the track as well. They’ll also operate the New Cross Gate signal box which operates the TfL owned track between New Cross Gate and north of Dalston Junction which also operates the signals to Highbury & Islington.
Track south of NXG will continue to be operated from the signal box at Three Bridges.
TfL will continue to pay GBR for use of the track on all of London Overground, plus the Elizabeth line which means they’ll have to negotiate with GBR for timetable changes etc which fit in among what are currently Southern and Thameslink servies locally.
Don’t they talk to each other - DoT and TFL? Who exactly is supposed to be representing our interests in these matters?
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May 2026.
Forest Hill & Honor Oak Park: (Windrush line & Southern)
A normal service operates on Saturday, replacement buses operate between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace every 15 minutes on Sunday. A single bus also operates from London Bridge at 2259.
Catford Bridge & Lower Sydenham: (Southeastern)
Normal service.
Crofton Park/Catford: (Thameslink)
A normal service operates on Saturday. Replacement buses operate between Herne Hill and Swanley on Sunday.
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