Rail meltdown, flight delays and getting more leg room

Got a question? Our expert, Simon Calder, can help

Commuter chaos at St Pancras on Friday after overhead lines came down (AP)

Q Can you please explain why East Midland Trains are subject to severe disruption because of overhead electric wires, when all their fleet is diesel?

Thomas G

A Four days of severe disruption on the line from Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and Leicester to London St Pancras began on the hottest day of the year, last Thursday. East Midlands Trains is finally hoping to run a normal service from today onwards – using, as you say, all-diesel trains.