Network Rail Kent and Sussex

We're sorry for all the disruption today and would advise passengers to keep checking before they travel in the area as it will take some time for everything to get back to normal. Thank you for your patience.

We're pleased to say the power failure to our Littlehampton signalling has been fixed after 450m of cable was replaced. We're working with @SouthernRailUK to get trains on the move again and we're really sorry for the delays. /1

... One last thing - in this case we're running pilot working from Ashurst Junction, all the way through Crowborough - so an even longer section.

...coming the other way! There is only one Pilot and strict rules (and paperwork!) are in place to make sure the arrangement is safe. So if you see someone in orange getting in the cab of your train at Uckfield this morning, that's why. /Ends

The train can only depart Crowborough if a "pilot" is in the cab, usually a Network Rail Mobile Operations Manager. Once the train has run to Uckfield and back, the pilot gets out and awaits the next train. The pilot is how the driver knows there isn't another train... /6

Trains are now running as the hourly timetable means we can use an operational technique called "pilot working"* and we hope to have the issue fixed soon. Apologies for the delays this morning. *Thread continues on what pilot working is... /4

We've found a poor data link connection near the junction, meaning the information flow from the site of the junction with the signal box in Oxted keeps being interrupted and putting signals to danger (red). /3

Over the weekend we lost power to signals in the area and solved the issue by literally walking from Crowborough to Uckfield checking power cables until we found the fault. This morning's issue isn't thought to be related, although it is in the same area. /2

Once we track down the fault, we can cut the damaged section out and rejoint the cable. As soon as we have more news, we'll pass it on, until then please follow @SouthernRailUK for travel details. So sorry for the problems today.

We have traced the problem to a blown fuse, however that fuse will only have blown because of what we think is a cable problem. Our team is now trying to trace that fault while another team gets some new cable. /2

We're really sorry for the disruption to @SouthernRailUK + @TLRailUK passengers at Littlehampton this morning. We're lost power to all our signals, which control the movement of trains, so nothing can run at the moment. /1

If you're interested, it was a faulty battery charger. When the power went off earlier, the batteries were dead and the axle counters - how we detect where trains are - were dead too. We've replaced it, and hope to have things moving shortly. Really sorry for the disruption.

UPDATE from the line between Billingshurst and Christ's Hospital. We've traced the signalling fault and it shouldn't be too long before we have trains normally again. Please keep an eye on @SouthernRailUK for travel information. /1