East Midlands Railway RMT Strike, Affected Services and Alternative Travel Options

Quick Answer

East Midlands Railway (EMR) faces RMT union strike action on August 1, 8, and 15, 2026, over safety concerns regarding the new Class 810 fleet. Services will operate a reduced timetable between 07:00 and 19:00 only on those Saturdays.

Passengers should check the EMR website for full journey updates and consider alternative travel options such as coach services, other train operators, or private vehicles.

Key Facts

• RMT union members at EMR will strike on Saturday 1 August, Saturday 8 August, and Saturday 15 August 2026.
• The dispute centers on safety concerns with the new Class 810 fleet, including faults requiring full resets that leave trains without active safety systems for up to 20 minutes.
• RMT says communication between train drivers, dispatchers, and trackside has been lost at least three times in the week before the strike announcement.
• EMR maintains the trains meet safety standards and continues discussions with the union.
• On strike days, EMR services will operate only between 07:00 and 19:00, with reduced frequency.
• No strikes are planned for 2025—all action is in 2026.
• The RMT has been in dispute with EMR since April 2026 following the rollout of the 810 fleet.

What Led to This Dispute

The Class 810 Fleet Rollout and Early Problems

The root of the East Midlands Railway strike lies in the introduction of the new Class 810 fleet, which began service in 2026. These trains were intended to modernize the Midland Mainline, replacing older rolling stock and improving capacity.

However, the rollout has been troubled from the start. According to the RMT, the union has been in dispute with EMR since April 2026, shortly after the trains entered service.

The core issue is reliability. The RMT states that the Class 810s have been operating with a "significant number of faults." More concerning, the union alleges that EMR has been sending trains into service that are "likely to fail" and require a full system reset.

During these resets, the trains lose essential safety systems for approximately 20 minutes, a situation the RMT describes as dangerous.

Specific Safety Concerns Raised

The RMT's concerns are not abstract. The union has pointed to concrete incidents that raise alarms.

In the week before the strike announcement alone, there were at least three instances where communication was lost between train drivers, dispatchers, and trackside personnel. This loss of communication is a critical safety failure—without it, drivers cannot receive instructions about signals, platform changes, or hazards ahead.

The RMT general secretary, Eddie Dempsey, has been explicit about the union's position. He stated that RMT representatives at EMR have been "extremely patient" and have tried to engage with management to resolve the issues, but to no avail.

A particular point of frustration is that EMR has allegedly put out safety notices without any involvement, consultation, or negotiation with the union reps who represent the workers most at risk. The union's demand is clear: while these faults exist, and until the Class 810 trains are shown to be operating properly, they should be taken out of service entirely.

This is a hardline position that EMR has not accepted.

The Employer's Position

East Midlands Railway has not remained silent. The company maintains that the Class 810 fleet meets all required safety standards.

EMR continues discussions with the RMT, but as of the strike announcement, no resolution has been reached. The company's public statement focuses on advising passengers to check their full journeys and to be aware of the limited service hours on strike days.

The disconnect between the two sides is significant. The RMT argues that safety is being compromised for operational convenience, while EMR insists the trains are safe.

Without independent verification, the public is left to judge between the union's specific allegations of lost communications and the company's general assurance of compliance.

How the Strikes Will Affect Services

Service Hours and Frequency

On each strike day—August 1, 8, and 15, 2026—EMR will operate a reduced timetable. Services will only run between 07:00 and 19:00.

This is a significant reduction from normal operating hours, which typically extend from early morning until late evening. The limited hours mean that passengers traveling before 07:00 or after 19:00 on strike Saturdays will have no EMR service at all.

This affects early-morning airport runs, late-night returns from events, and any journey that requires travel outside this window. Even within the operating hours, train frequency will be reduced.

The exact timetable is not specified in the available sources, but based on typical strike patterns, passengers should expect fewer trains, longer waits, and potentially crowded conditions. The EMR website advises passengers to check their full journey, which implies that some routes or stations may have no service at all.

What This Means for Passengers

For regular commuters, the Saturday timing is somewhat less disruptive than a weekday strike would be. However, Saturdays are still busy for leisure travel, shopping trips, and visits to friends and family.

The strike will affect anyone planning to use EMR on those three Saturdays. Passengers should note that the strike action is specific to East Midlands Railway.

Other train operators on the Midland Mainline, such as LNER or CrossCountry, may run normally. However, connecting services at stations like Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, or Sheffield could be disrupted if the EMR leg of a journey is cancelled.

For intercity travel, the impact is direct. EMR operates services between London St Pancras and destinations including Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, and Lincoln.

On strike days, these services will be limited to the 07:00–19:00 window, with reduced frequency. Passengers planning long-distance journeys should expect delays and plan for extra time.

Alternative Travel Options for Strike Days

Using Other Train Operators

One of the simplest alternatives is to check if other train operators serve the same routes. On the Midland Mainline, LNER and CrossCountry may provide alternative services, though their routes and stations differ.

• LNER runs services from London King's Cross to Doncaster, York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. This is useful for destinations north of Peterborough but does not serve Leicester, Nottingham, or Derby directly.
• CrossCountry services connect Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, and further north, but do not run to London. Passengers traveling from London would need to combine services.

It is essential to check whether these operators are also affected by other industrial action or engineering works on the same dates. As of now, no other strikes have been announced for those Saturdays, but passengers should verify closer to the date.

Coach and Bus Alternatives

National Express and Megabus operate coach services on many of the same corridors as EMR. Coaches are slower than trains but offer a reliable alternative, especially for direct city-to-city travel.

• London to Leicester: Coach services take around 2–3 hours, compared to about 1 hour 10 minutes by train.
• London to Nottingham: Coaches take around 3–4 hours, versus 1 hour 40 minutes by train.
• London to Sheffield: Coaches take about 4–5 hours, compared to 2 hours by train.

Coaches typically operate more frequent services than trains on strike days, and seats are often available even when trains are full. However, passengers should book in advance, as demand may spike during strike periods.

Local bus services may also be an option for shorter journeys. For example, buses between Leicester and Nottingham, or Derby and Sheffield, may run regularly and be less affected by the strike.

However, journey times will be longer, and passengers should check local transport timetables.

Private Transport Options

For those with access to a car, driving offers the most flexibility. The M1 motorway runs parallel to the Midland Mainline for much of its route, making driving a practical alternative.

• London to Nottingham: Approximately 2 hours by car, versus 1 hour 40 minutes by train.
• London to Sheffield: About 2.5 hours by car, versus 2 hours by train.
• London to Leicester: Around 1.5 hours by car, versus 1 hour 10 minutes by train.

Driving becomes less attractive for journeys into central London, where parking is expensive and congestion is heavy. However, for regional travel between Midlands cities, driving can be competitive in time and cost, especially if multiple people are traveling together.

Ridesharing services like BlaBlaCar or local carpool groups may also offer options for specific routes. These are less reliable than scheduled services but can fill gaps in the network.

Cycling and Walking

For shorter journeys, cycling or walking may be feasible. In cities like Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby, many train stations are within cycling distance of residential areas.

However, this is not a practical option for intercity travel.

Checking Service Updates

The most reliable source of information during the strike period is the East Midlands Railway website, which provides live service updates. The EMR website has a dedicated service updates page that shows current disruptions and any changes to the timetable.

Passengers should check this page before traveling, as the situation may change closer to the strike dates. Additionally, the National Rail Enquiries website and app will show real-time information for all operators, including any service cancellations or delays.

Social media channels, particularly X (formerly Twitter), may also provide updates, but passengers should verify information against official sources.

What Happens Next

Potential for Further Action

The RMT has only announced three strike dates so far: August 1, 8, and 15, 2026. However, if the dispute is not resolved, further strike action is possible.

The union has shown willingness to escalate—the Merseyrail strike suspension mentioned in the references shows that the RMT is open to negotiation if progress is made. EMR continues discussions with the union, but the gap between the two sides appears wide.

The RMT demands that the Class 810 trains be taken out of service until safety issues are resolved. EMR insists the trains meet standards.

A compromise might involve additional safety checks, reduced use of the 810 fleet, or enhanced training for staff, but no such agreement has been announced.

What Passengers Should Do Now

For passengers planning to travel on any of the three strike Saturdays, the best advice is to plan ahead. Check the EMR website for the most current timetable.

If travel is flexible, consider moving the journey to a different day or using alternative transport. For passengers with advance tickets for strike dates, EMR typically offers refunds or the option to travel on another day.

Check the company's compensation policy on their website. In many cases, tickets for strike-affected services can be used on alternative dates without additional charge.

Passengers should also consider that industrial action can change. Strikes may be suspended if negotiations progress, or additional dates may be announced.

Subscribing to EMR's email alerts or following their social media accounts can provide timely updates.

The Broader Context

The dispute at EMR is part of a wider pattern of industrial action on the UK railways. The RMT has been active across multiple operators in recent years, often over pay, conditions, or safety.

The specific focus on safety here distinguishes this dispute from purely pay-related ones. The Midland Mainline has faced particular challenges.

References mention an "emergency timetable" already in place due to months of disruption, even before the strike announcement. This suggests that the Class 810 fleet problems have been affecting services for some time, and the strikes are a response to ongoing issues rather than a sudden development.

The safety claims are serious. Loss of communication between drivers, dispatchers, and trackside is not a minor inconvenience—it is a fundamental safety risk.

The fact that this has occurred at least three times in one week indicates a systemic problem rather than an isolated fault. Passengers may want to consider the RMT's concerns when deciding whether to travel on strike days or use alternative services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will all East Midlands Railway services be cancelled on strike days?

No. A reduced service will operate between 07:00 and 19:00 on each strike day.

Passengers should check the EMR website for their specific journey as some routes or stations may have no service.

Can I get a refund if my train is cancelled due to the strike?

Yes. EMR typically offers refunds for tickets on strike-affected services.

Passengers can also often use their ticket on an alternative date. Check EMR's compensation policy on their website for specific instructions.

Is it safe to travel on the Class 810 trains when they are running?

EMR states the trains meet safety standards, but the RMT has raised specific concerns about safety system failures during resets. Passengers should make their own assessment based on the available information and consider alternative travel if concerned.

Are there strikes planned for 2025?

No. All announced strike action is for 2026—specifically August 1, 8, and 15.

No strikes are planned for 2025.

What alternatives are available for travel between London and the Midlands?

Coach services like National Express and Megabus operate on these routes. Other train operators such as LNER and CrossCountry may provide alternative services.

Driving is also an option, especially for regional travel between Midlands cities.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting.