Train services through Newcastle Central station are set to be disrupted next weekend and for the first ten days of October due to major engineering work.

Between Saturday, 1st and Monday, 10th October, engineering work will affect all train services operating to, from, or through Newcastle Central station. Engineers will renew 750 metres of track, replace five sets of switches and crossings, and renew overhead line equipment. Packaging the work together will result in less disruption for passengers in the future.

During the closure, there will be major changes to LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, and Lumo services. Some trains will be replaced by buses and coaches, whilst other trains will be diverted via alternative routes.

In addition to the engineering work, further disruption will be caused by industrial action planned by rail trade unions to take place on Saturday, 1st and Wednesday, 5th October.

Passengers planning to travel during this period should check with National Rail at https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/east-coast/newcastle-track-upgrade/ or via their train operator’s website for the latest updates.

Saturday, 24th and Sunday, 25th September;

• CrossCountry and TransPennine Express services south of Newcastle will terminate at Newcastle. Buses will replace train services between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Berwick-upon-Tweed.
• LNER will run a reduced hourly service between Newcastle and Edinburgh and will be diverted via Carlisle with extended journey times. Other services between the North and London will start/terminate at Newcastle.
• Rail replacement coaches will operate between Newcastle, Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon Tweed, Reston, Dunbar and Edinburgh. LNER services may be busy and seat reservations are recommended. Services on other parts of the LNER route may also be affected and customers are advised to check before they travel at https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/newcastle-track-upgrade/
• Buses will replace Northern services between Morpeth and Chathill and services between Newcastle and Hexham/Carlisle will run to a reduced timetable.

Passengers are reminded to plan ahead via National Rail at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ or their train operator’s website,  and allow plenty of time to complete their journey.

Saturday, 1st to Monday, 10th October:

Full details of service changes through Newcastle from Saturday, 1st to Monday, 10th October, are on National Rail’s dedicated webpage at https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/east-coast/newcastle-track-upgrade/

Passengers intending to travel during this period should plan their journey beforehand using the National Rail Enquiries journey planner at https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

Sam MacDougall, East Coast Operations Director for Network Rail, said: “This weekend marks the start of a major upgrade for passengers travelling to and through Newcastle. This huge package of improvements will help us offer a more modern and reliable railway for passengers, now and in the future.

“Unfortunately, in order to deliver these benefits, there will be some significant changes to services between Newcastle and Scotland. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience, apologise for any inconvenience and remind people to check before they travel.”

A spokesperson on behalf of train operators on the route said: “The work taking place at Newcastle is going to cause significant disruption for services, so we urge passengers to check their journey before travelling and follow the advice given.

“We are working hard to keep people moving, with rail replacement services and diversion routes, but this means your journey will take longer and may be busier than usual.”