RAIL services are to get back to normal today following disruption as a result of a cable fire.

Passengers across Oxfordshire faced major disruption yesterday after a blaze near Neasden Junction destroyed power cables and disabled signalling overnight on Monday.

Chiltern Railways, who put on an 'emergency timetable' yesterday, announced they would be regular timetable this morning, but advised commuters to check before travel in case of changes.  

Engineers worked overnight on Monday to repair the cabling, but a spokesman for Network Rail warned at the time the disruption could last at least 24 hours.

At 5pm yesterday Chiltern Railways confirmed a normal timetable would resume this morning but services could be shorter and busier due to trains being out of their normal positions. This morning they said again that they intend to return to their regular timetable, but advised commuters to check before travelling. 

Journeys into London from Banbury, Bicester North and Oxford Parkway were all affected on Monday, with commuters being left stranded or having to take alternative routes into the capital.

Passengers expressed their frustration at the delays, including Kevin Tomes, who said in the end he abandoned his journey.

He added that he was lucky he could work from home.

He said: "I need to get to Luton, it will be a challenge. 
"I really can't hide contempt for railway in this country."

Commuters also took to social media to vent their frustrations as they were told their journeys would be affected. 

Andrew Gee tweeted: "Trying to get to London on @chilternrailway ? Don't bother. Trains stopping at Ruislip. Waited for 1hr for  train to arrive. Compensation?"

And Geoff Talboys said he was waiting to get to West Ruislip to transfer to the Tube.

He said: "Luckily the central line was working well and I was only 30 minutes late for work.

"I hope the trains are up and running again as soon as possible."

A Chiltern Railways spokesman said: "The fire has caused damage to signalling cables and a major fault in the signalling system.

"Unfortunately we are unable to run any services into London any further than West Ruislip."

He added that Network Rail has told the company that the repairs needed to be completed in an 'awkward location' and disruption was expected for the rest of the day.

At 8am Network Rail engineers were waiting for firefighters to finish damping down the blaze so they could get on the viaduct to begin repairs.

A statement on the Chiltern Railways website said: "Due to a cable fire between Neasden and West Hampstead services in and out of London will be severely disrupted.

"Passengers travelling from the West Midlands should use alternative services where possible. Where no alternative route is available customers are advised to delay their journey or avoid travelling today if possible."

Tickets were being accepted on the West Coast Main Line into London Euston on Virgin Trains and London Midland and into London Paddington with Great Western Railway.

Passengers are entitled to apply for compensation if their journey is delayed for more than half an hour.