Network Rail’s Darlington Engineering Work for Enhanced East Coast Main Line Journeys

In February, Network Rail engineers will enhance a section of the East Coast Main Line in Darlington, aiming to provide passengers with smoother and more reliable journeys. Over the weekend of Saturday, February 3, and Sunday, February 4, teams will focus on renewing switches & crossings and installing over a mile of new rails.

These improvements will result in a more dependable travel experience for passengers using the East Coast Main Line. However, during this essential work, there will be changes to train services in the area.

LNER will operate a reduced service of one train per hour between London King’s Cross and Scotland, with extended journey times due to diversions. Additional services from the north and south will terminate at Newcastle and York, respectively, with a rail replacement service between Newcastle and York.

Passengers of CrossCountry and TransPennine Express can expect a replacement coach service between York and Newcastle. On Sundays, rail replacement services will also connect CrossCountry passengers to and from Leeds, while TransPennine Services divert around engineering work between Leeds and York.

Northern services will experience changes with trains between Saltburn & Middlesbrough and Darlington & Bishop Auckland starting and terminating at Eaglescliffe. Rail replacement buses will run between Eaglescliffe and Darlington / Bishop Auckland.

Lumo will operate a shuttle train service between Newcastle and Edinburgh, complemented by a rail replacement coach service between Newcastle and Northallerton connecting to Lumo trains to/from London on a daily return journey.

Jason Hamilton, Route Programme Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, emphasized the significance of this work in improving passengers’ journeys, acknowledging potential disruptions and encouraging travelers to check for updates via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator.

Representatives from LNER, CrossCountry, Lumo, Northern, and TransPennine Express assured passengers that efforts will be made to keep them on the move efficiently during this period, with travel information available on respective websites, social media channels, and stations.

For the latest travel advice, passengers and community members can contact the Network Rail national helpline at 03457 11 41 41.

For journalists seeking information, Joshua Chapman, Media Relations Manager at Network Rail, can be reached at joshua.chapman@networkrail.co.uk.

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