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If you’re travelling through Yorkshire by train, expect disruption over 24–25 October and 31 October–1 November 2026. Network Rail’s reminder, issued on 20 October, confirms buses replacing trains between Doncaster/Leeds and Darlington on both weekends. The changes affect local journeys and long-distance services between London and Scotland.
A separate nine-day closure between York and Leeds runs from 24 October to 1 November inclusive, so weekday journeys are affected too. Replacement arrangements differ by operator and weekend, with cancellations, reduced services and bus transfers. Check the details for your route before setting off.
Which Yorkshire Rail Services Are Affected?
The East Coast Main Line work affects six operators. If you’re travelling between London and Edinburgh, within Yorkshire or towards the North East, here’s what to expect.
- CrossCountry: Buses replace trains between Leeds and Darlington throughout both weekends. These run directly between the two stations, with no intermediate stops.
- Grand Central: No services run between London King’s Cross and Sunderland on either weekend.
- LNER: Buses replace trains between Doncaster and Darlington, and between Wakefield Westgate and York. A reduced service of two trains per hour runs between London King’s Cross and Doncaster, and between Darlington and Edinburgh. One train per hour runs between Northallerton and Edinburgh.
- Lumo: No trains run between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh. Services operate only between Newcastle and Edinburgh, and between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street.
- Northern: No trains run between Moorthorpe, Leeds, Selby or Poppleton and York throughout either weekend. Replacement buses operate between York and Moorthorpe, Micklefield, Selby and Poppleton.
TransPennine Express: Different Arrangements Each Weekend
On 24–25 October, no TransPennine Express trains run between Wakefield Kirkgate/Leeds and Northallerton, or between York and Redcar Central/Saltburn. Replacement buses run between Leeds and York, and between York and Redcar Central/Saltburn. Trains between York and Scarborough, and between Leeds and Hull, are unaffected.
On 31 October–1 November, buses replace TransPennine Express trains between Leeds and York. York–Scarborough services run normally.
York–Leeds Closure Also Covers Weekdays
The York–Leeds closure lasts for the full nine days, including the working week between the two engineering weekends. Replacement buses run between York and Leeds. Other buses call at all stations between York and Micklefield, connecting with trains serving Leeds, Selby and Hull.
At Church Fenton, the Transpennine Route Upgrade is installing a new road bridge over the railway and overhead line equipment. The replacement bridge will accommodate overhead electrical equipment for future electric services.
What Work Is Network Rail Carrying Out?
Engineers will renew almost 2.6km of track across sections around York, Colton Junction, Holgate Junction and Skelton Junction, replacing rails, sleepers and ballast. Points, which let trains move between tracks, will also be renewed or replaced at Tollerton North, Colton Junction and Northallerton.
The programme includes 300 metres of drainage renewal near Chapman’s Bridge, near Shipton, to protect against water-related problems. Other jobs include work on overhead line equipment between York and Colton Junction and across York station platforms, vegetation management between Tollerton and Thirsk, and surface improvements on platform 2 at York station.
Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, said: “These upgrades will help reduce the need for unplanned repairs, improve performance and support a more reliable railway for years to come.”
He apologised for the disruption and urged passengers to check journeys in advance with National Rail or their operator.
Check Connections Before Setting Off
A spokesperson for the train operating companies said: “Anyone planning to travel should check before they set off, as many services will be amended and some journeys may take longer than usual or involve a rail replacement bus.”
If you’re using replacement buses or coaches, you’re asked to bring only luggage you can carry comfortably and allow time to transfer between services. Check every leg of your journey, especially where a local connection meets a long-distance train.
The announced work periods finish on Sunday 1 November. If you’re travelling after the closures, check your operator’s timetable for your specific departure rather than assuming your usual service is running.
