Over 200 engineers gave up their Christmas breaks with their families so that improvements to the railway infrastructure at Doncaster station could be completed without any impact on passengers’ journeys.

From late on Christmas Eve, Network Rail engineers worked through their Christmas break until early yesterday morning, Wednesday, 27 December, to renew six sets of switches and crossings, carry out upgrades to the signalling system, and make improvements to the overhead line equipment.

The upgrade work will mean that passengers enjoy smoother journeys whilst the railway will be more reliable and resilient against disruption.
Network Rail chose the Christmas period to do the work as no trains were running on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, which allowed the work to be carried out without affecting passenger services.

In other work at Doncaster this month, London North Eastern Railway is trialling the use of British Sign Language on the Customer Information Screens at Doncaster station. The trial is the first for the country, and the screens will display videos and up-to-date customer information translated into British Sign Language. Doncaster Deaf Trust and Communication Specialist College Doncaster are assisting London North Eastern Railway in the trial. If it proves successful, the company will investigate upgrading more screens across its network to display British Sign Language.

Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: The work our teams have carried out will mean passengers experience smoother and more reliable journeys as they travel by train through Doncaster.

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.