Two sets of diversions: The planned engineering works are causing diversions via the Aston/Bescot, and then this OLE problem south of Kilsby Tunnel, which is causing diversions via Northampton.
EDIT: A 1Z99 is now at Bushbury Jn, and a schedule has appeared in RTT for 1Z99 Crewe-Rugby. Not sure if this is connected to the OLE failure but it does look likely. The poor souls on 1H08 are going to have been stuck there for a very long time by the time 1Z99 gets to them (and there are 3 trains trapped, although not sure why 9H67 hasn't reverse over the crossover at Weedon back towards MKC - possibly it's within the tripped electrical section from 1H08).
Yep, I was one of the "poor souls" on the train, which I think was immediately behind 1H08 (9H67 - 11.19 from Euston). We halted around 12.35 and were 20 mins or so late by then. I feared the worst when my Wi-Fi access stopped as the train did. I noted on my phone map we were close to Blisworth. It was 4 hours 45 minutes, before we were 'rescued' on the Preston to Euston service, which was 3 hours late before it stopped to pick us up (9M55, I think). It was very well organised as we crossed over via a ramp into the Euston train. Back to MKC and then back on another Manchester Service. Home by 7.30.
I wondered why we couldn't be 'dragged' back to continue via Northampton - perhaps with a loco from that direction ? Perhaps there wasn't one available.
Of course, there was a lot of black humour as well as frustration. The air con stopped, and it was very hot in some carriages. When we got off there was sweat and condensation dripping down the walls and ceiling. After an hour or so, a young woman started to force open the doors for fresh air. I heard that on our coach at the far end, someone else did this and a guy spotted it, grabbed his cases and escaped across the fields.
The staff were good and opened up the buffet car for snacks and water; people helped themselves. I did wish them all the best and understandably, they looked fed up. I got talking to someone else on the 'rescue train' and she was saying how the service has gone downhill from Virgin ( she uses WCML from Liverpool a lot) and how the staff are treated; they are terrible employers. I am behind them in striking anyway, but this cements that feeling.
Things like the OLE issue can't be helped, but it adds to the ongoing issues with the Rail companies.
Looks like 9H67 is being moved off, according to Traksy Diagrams.
