They thought it was all over for some Sunday services

To leaves on the line, weather that is too hot, too wet or too cold, and over-running engineering work, Britain‘s rail passengers can now add a new excuse for cancelled trains… a game of football in Moscow.

Northern and Great Western Railway had warned passengers to expect train cancellations on Sunday July 15, because of staff taking time off to watch the World Cup final.

GWR said disruption would be “significant”, warning that only half the usual number of long-distance trains would run. It advised passengers not to travel, and offered full refunds to thousands of passengers who had booked in advance.

Many train operators rely on drivers and guards working voluntary overtime at weekends. Staff have to give seven days’ notice of their availability, but at that stage in the World Cup (July 8) there was still a possibility of England reaching the final, and few staff volunteered to work. For many it was also the first weekend of the school holidays, so drivers had already booked leave.

The school dates had been in the diary for a year, and the date of the World Cup for far longer. But it seems to have taken train operators by surprise - GWR published a Sunday timetable only 24 hours in advance.

However, with England losing to Croatia in the semi-final on July 11, the dire warnings by GWR proved hasty. It actually ran nine out of ten services.

Northern was more affected, cancelling 170 Sunday trains. These included 89 services at Manchester Piccadilly.

A spokesman said: “Many Northern staff have made themselves unavailable for work on Sunday.”

A source suggested that when it became clear England would not reach the final, some drivers then informed the company they were available after all, but that Northern declined to give them extra short-notice work.

Transport Focus Chief Executive Anthony Smith said it was “helpful” that Northern alerted passengers in advance. But he added: “The rail company must do everything it can to minimise inconvenience and to restore services as soon as possible.”