Rugby World Cup: Thousands queue for trains to Cardiff after 'engineering works overrun'

“Overrunning engineering works” and a train fault left thousands of rugby fans queuing outside Paddington station this morning.

Trains were running about half an hour late, but a Great Western Railway spokesman told the Standard 13 or 14 services had made it to the Welsh capital ahead of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final. It is understood everyone who arrived at Paddington in time eventually made it to Cardiff in time for kick-off.

Network Rail denied there had been any delay completing engineering works, blaming “train crew issues at Old Oak Common depot” for the late running.

About 1,500 people were believed to be in the queue, which was pictured stretching down the platform and out of the station exit before doubling back on itself.

The match kicks off at 1pm at the Millennium Stadium.

“We have a queue for people on booked trains,” the GWR spokesman added. “It may be people won’t get onto the train they are booked on, but we don’t envisage people missing the match due to these works.

“Yesterday we shifted about 8,500 people down to Cardiff. We have got the earlier kickoff today, but we’re running 13 or 14 trains that will arrive in Cardiff prior to that.”

Malachy Browne, 39, flew to London from Dublin to travel to the match.

He told the Standard: “At about 20 to 8 the queue was right out the railway station and up the ramp.

“Then after 15 minutes it was doubled back into the station and back down onto the platform.

“There were people rushing for spots but it was very well organised and they kept the crowd moving.

“We’ve been delayed by half an hour or 40 minutes. Because it's an early match the crowds that are getting later trains might be a little bit worried.”

Other fans took to Twitter to bemoan the delays.