(Image: Network Rail)
Rail passengers Darlington and North Yorkshire face disruption this autumn as engineers overhaul the East Coast Main Line.
Services between Doncaster, Leeds and Darlington will be affected over two weekends: Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, October 25, and Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 1.
Replacement buses will run on affected routes while the work is under way.
Network Rail engineers will improve sites across North Yorkshire.
Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, 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."
The work includes replacing points at key junctions, upgrading overhead lines and renewing the track.
Drainage and vegetation work will also make the railway safer and more reliable.
A spokesperson for the train operators 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 replacement buses should take only luggage they can carry easily.
They should also allow extra time to change between trains and buses.
Further disruption is expected between Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, November 1, alongside the weekend closures.
No trains will run between York and Leeds during this period while work continues on the Transpennine Route Upgrade project.
The work includes installing a new road bridge at Church Fenton and overhead equipment for future electrification.
Replacement buses will run between York and Leeds, stopping at every station between York and Micklefield and connecting with trains to Leeds, Selby and Hull.
Network Rail is urging passengers to plan ahead and check their journeys with their operator or National Rail before travelling.
Read more
Major train journeys cancelled as North East passengers forced to get bus
North East rail passengers can use other operators’ trains free after cancellations
Middlesbrough-Redcar trainlines blocked and Manchester Airport route impacted
The upgrades aim to make journeys smoother and more reliable while supporting the region’s switch to greener electric trains.
Passengers are being thanked for their patience while the essential work continues.
Darlington station recorded 96 flooding-related disruption incidents between 2014 and 2025. Its refurbishment includes new platform and track drainage linked to an attenuation tank.