East Coast Main Line improvements to affect train journeys in Yorkshire next month

The improvements carried out across the East Coast Main Line will impact rail journeys in North Yorkshire next month - here’s everything you need to know.

A major programme of railway improvements on the East Coast Main Line will mean changes to some passenger journeys over two weekends.

The work means that buses will replace trains between Doncaster/Leeds and Darlington on October 24-25 and from October 31 to November 1, 2026.

Engineers will carry out a major programme of improvements at various North Yorkshire locations across both weekends, including:

• Renewing and replacing points, which allow trains to move between tracks, at Tollerton North, Colton Junction and Northallerton to improve reliability.

• Carrying out major track renewals - totalling almost 2.6km - between York, Colton Junction, Holgate Junction and Skelton Junction, including replacing rails, sleepers and ballast for smoother and more reliable journeys.

• Renewing 300 metres of drainage near Chapman’s Bridge, near Shipton, to help protect the railway from water-related issues.

• Upgrading overheard line equipment between York and Colton Junction and across York station platforms.

• Managing vegetation between Tollerton and Thirsk to improve the safety and performance of the railway.

• Improving platform infrastructure, including surface works on platform 2 at York station.

The upgrades will help improve the resilience and performance of the railway for passengers and freight services on the East Coast Main Line.

Passengers should also be aware that between Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, November 1, 2026, including weekdays, Transpennine Route Upgrade will install a new road bridge over the line at Church Fenton and overheard line equipment to provide the power for faster, greener electric trains in the future.

There will be no trains between York and Leeds during this nine-day period, with replacement bus service running between York and Leeds, and others calling at all stations between York and Micklefield, connecting with trains between Leeds, Selby and Hull.

Joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, Gunnar Lindahl, said: “Engineers will be carrying out a major programme of improvements across North Yorkshire to make the East Coast Main Line more reliable for passengers and freight customers.

“These upgrades will help reduce the need for unplanned repairs, improve performance and support a more reliable railway for years to come.

“We know these works will mean some journeys take longer than usual or involve a rail replacement bus.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused and we thank passengers for their patience while we complete these important improvements.

“We encourage anyone planning to travel over the two weekends to check their journey in advance with National Rail or their train operator.”

A spokesperson for the train operating companies said: “We’re working closely with Network Rail and industry partners to help customers travel during these important railway improvements.

“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.”

Passengers using rail replacement services are reminded to only bring luggage they can carry comfortably, which doesn’t exceed the limits of the operator they are travelling with, and be mindful of transfer times between train and bus/coach.

You can check details of all parts of your journey with your train operator or National Rail before travelling.