After missing the last train home, mourners left stranded after visiting the Queen’s coffin slept in empty “welfare” trains in central London.
At a few of locations, empty carriages are being held expressly for bereft well-wishers following visits to the Palace of Westminster, where the monarch is lying in state until the morning of her funeral on Monday.
It is predicted that more than 350,000 people will make the pilgrimage, with mourners waiting up to nine hours in a five-mile-long line overnight to pay their respects.
However, Network Rail sources informed The Times that the trains should not be relied upon, and they also refused to disclose the location of the empty services.
Some customers waiting for the early morning train were reportedly using Charing Cross, Euston, King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, Paddington, and Victoria.
Several trains have begun departing central London at approximately 1:00 a.m., as opposed to the usual midnight.
Last Monday, Network Rail posted a message at London Waterloo station paying tribute to the Queen.
People in line near Tower Bridge to enter Westminster Hall to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
Capacity on some lines has been increased by 50 percent to help operators deal with the increased demand in the run-up to the state burial, and additional services have been introduced.
This week, Southeastern is intending to offer 24-hour service. The majority of lines cease operation shortly after midnight and do not resume until 5am to 5.30am.
These one-way overnight trains transport travelers from London to the home counties.
To avoid overcrowding, mourners traveling to the capital by rail are asked to remain for lunch.
After the funeral cortege leaves Westminster on Monday, there are concerns that a “New Year’s Eve-style mass exodus” would cause major congestion at Tube and mainline stations, according to a source from the train industry.
People traveling to the city on Monday to pay their respects to the Queen are advised to “pack a picnic, spend time in London, raise a glass to Her Majesty, and continue to monitor live travel information.”
There will be approximately 250 additional weekday runs, including some nighttime trains.
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the majority of London Underground lines will remain open for an additional hour on the night following the funeral so that people can “move around the capital securely.”
Several lines will depart central London approximately one hour later than usual, at 1 a.m.
The rail sector is sure that there will be sufficient capacity to accommodate the number of passengers, especially because Monday is a holiday and there will be fewer commuters.