Large numbers of Network Rail engineers took advantage of the Christmas shutdown on train services to work throughout the Christmas period carrying out major upgrades to the railway infrastructure in North Yorkshire.

Teams of engineers were deployed at York railway station where they carried out vital renewals of the railway tracks, including replacing the switches and crossings that allow trains to change from one line to another. They also completed work on the overhead electric wires through the station.

Between Skelton and Beningbrough, teams of Network Rail teams installed new lengths of track and laid new ballast, which is the specialist stones that the rail lines sit on.

The net result of both projects will be to provide passengers with smoother journeys on a railway that should now be more reliable.

Network Rail chose the Christmas period for its engineers to carry out the work as no trains were scheduled to run on Christmas Day or Boxing Day so that the work could be carried out without adversely affecting passengers’ journeys.

The teams of engineers worked around the clock from late on Christmas Eve to early morning on Wednesday, 27 December to carry out the upgrades and improvements to the railway network.

Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: Our teams have completed some major improvements to the railway in North Yorkshire which will enable passengers to enjoy better experiences when travelling by train.

Engineers have worked around the clock since late on Christmas Eve, giving up their Christmases with loved ones, and I am grateful for the work they have completed, delivering benefits to passengers.