Saturday, February 24, 2024
In March, significant upgrades to the East Coast Main Line, stretching from York to Newcastle, are scheduled by Network Rail engineers. These enhancements will necessitate modifications to train schedules.
During the first two weekends of March (2nd/3rd and 9th/10th), comprehensive work is set to take place. This includes the installation of new switches and crossings — critical components that allow trains to switch tracks — along with track renewal at Durham and Chester-le-Street stations. Efforts will also extend to upgrading overhead electric lines, refurbishing the signaling system near Durham, and advancing the Darlington station enhancement project.
The execution of these upgrades is aimed at providing passengers with more reliable and smoother travel on the East Coast Main Line, alongside an elevated experience at Darlington station in the future.
These operations will lead to adjustments in train services over both weekends.
LNER will maintain a diminished frequency of service to one train per hour in each direction between London King’s Cross and Scotland, with rerouting in place to circumvent the upgrade works. This detour may prolong travel times by up to one hour.
On March 2nd and 3rd, additional LNER services from both directions will end at Newcastle and York, respectively, complemented by a rail replacement service linking Newcastle and York.
The following weekend, 9th and 10th March, sees a similar arrangement with LNER services from the north and south concluding at Durham and York, respectively, and a rail replacement service bridging Durham and York.
Across these weekends, CrossCountry and TransPennine Express (TPE) will also terminate at Newcastle and York respectively, with a substitute bus service provided between these two cities. TPE’s routes between Saltburn and Manchester, serving Thirsk and Northallerton, will operate as usual.
Northern will adjust its services to begin and end at Eaglescliffe, offering rail replacement services to and from Darlington/Bishop Auckland.
Additionally, Lumo will introduce a shuttle train between Newcastle and Edinburgh, and deploy a coach service to connect Newcastle with Northallerton. This will facilitate a daily return journey for passengers linking into Lumo trains to and from London.
Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: “Our teams will be working around the clock over these two weekends to deliver vital improvements to passengers’ journeys as they travel along the East Coast Main Line.
“Work on track will mean smoother and more reliable journeys as we replace switches that have been in place for many years with brand new equipment, while upgrades at Darlington station are part of the major enhancement project that will deliver a vastly improved experience as passengers travel to and from the station.
“We would encourage passengers to check their journey before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or through their train operator and thank passengers for their patience and understanding while these upgrades are carried out.”
A spokesperson on behalf of LNER, Lumo, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, and Northern, said: “Throughout the weekends, our teams will be on hand to keep passengers on the move and get them to their destinations as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
“All the latest journey information on how journeys may be impacted can be found on our websites, social media channels, or at our stations.”
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