The slip, on an embankment to the south of Ockley station, Surrey, has meant that the two tracks on the line between Horsham and Dorking have been left impassable by trains.
Disruption is expected for customers until the middle of February.
Southern has advised people to check before they travel for the next few weeks, as there will be major changes to train services.
During the closure, rail replacement buses and ticket acceptance with a local bus operator will continue to be in operation until the work is complete and lines reopen.
Network Rail Sussex route director Lucy McAuliffe said: “This is a significant landslip which is already having an impact on our customers. While the line is closed and our teams carry out the repairs, some journeys will take much longer until the repairs are complete. I can only apologise for the disruption that customers are experiencing on this part of the network.
“We need to stabilise the embankment, stopping it from moving, and then rebuild the railway where it has slid away.
“We’ll keep everyone informed of our progress and we will be working around the clock to ensure that the railway is reopened as quickly and as safely as possible. In the meantime, please do check before you travel.”
The embankment is made of a mixture of soils, saturated after days of heavy rain, on top of a wet winter so far. The slip happened when the soil gave way along a nine-metre section of embankment, sliding out from underneath the tracks, in what engineers call a ‘rotational failure’.
Network Rail and its suppliers have now finalised a design for the work needed to repair the railway, which will involve the installation of around 47 steel piles to strengthen the embankment.
Jenny Saunders, Southern’s customer service director said: “I am very sorry for the continued disruption to passengers on the Horsham to Dorking line after the landslip at Ockley over the weekend. Safety is at the very core of our railway, and it will take engineers some time to restore the embankment so trains can safely run again.
“We have a comprehensive plan to keep passengers on the move, including rail replacement buses and ticket acceptance with other transport operators. This will mean that journeys take longer than usual and I would encourage everyone to check online before travelling.
“We are working very closely with our colleagues at Network Rail to provide updates as the work progresses.”
Customer advice
Until Monday, February 16, there will be no train service between Horsham and Dorking.
The following stations will not be served:
An hourly train service will continue to run between Dorking and London Victoria, and there are alternative Southern and Thameslink services from Horsham to London Bridge and London Victoria, via Gatwick Airport.
Between Horsham and Dorking:
Customers should allow for at least 30-40 minutes longer than usual to complete their journey, as alternative transport to reach your destination.
An hourly replacement bus service will operate between Horsham and Holmwood, Warnham and Dorking (Main), in both directions. This will connect with train services running between Dorking (Main) and London Victoria. Customers travelling from Horsham should use the alternative Southern or Thameslink train services.
Customers can also use their ticket to travel at no extra cost on Metrobus route 93between Horsham and Dorking.
Travelling to / from Ockley:
Replacement buses running between Horsham and Dorking are unable to serve Ockley due to a road closure between the A24 and the station.
Customers travelling from Ockley should press the green emergency button on the station platform where staff will arrange onward travel.
Customers travelling to Ockley should speak to station staff who will assist in booking onward transport.
Car parking easement:
Customers with a parking ticket for Warnham, Ockley, or Holmwood stations can take advantage of the parking easements that will be in place at Horsham, Crawley, and Three Bridges stations, although, these car parks can be busy.
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