Following its initial release of information two weeks ago, Network Rail is reminding Midland Main Line passengers to plan ahead and check journey updates while it continues upgrade work.

Since last month, Network Rail workers have spent Sunday nights replacing overhead power cables for between Bedford and Luton.

This weekend, the work will intensify, with major work taking place at various locations on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May.

The work will include:

• new overhead line equipment between Kettering and Wigston
• track drainage upgrades between Kettering and Wigston
• overhead lines replaced between Bedford and Luton
• new switches and crossings installed between Radlett and Cricklewood, separate to Midland Main Line electrification work.

This work is part of the project to improve the Midland Main Line, which will allow East Midlands Railway to operate its eco-friendly bi-mode trains at speeds of 125mph.

The trains can switch between diesel and electric modes, using electric where there are cables overhead. This will enable more reliable, faster and quieter journeys.

The work will cause disruption to journeys this weekend, so passengers will face busier trains and longer journey times, and they may need to change onto rail replacement buses.

Disruption details

Kettering to Wigston

• On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May, EMR will not run between Kettering in Northamptonshire and Wigston in Leicestershire.
• East Midlands Railway will run two intercity trains per hour between Sheffield/Nottingham and London St Pancras, which will divert via Corby and Melton Mowbray.
• East Midlands Railway Connect services will terminate at Wellingborough.
• Rail replacement buses will run between Leicester, Market Harborough and Kettering.

Cricklewood and Radlett

• On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May fewer services will run, and trains will run more slowly
• East Midlands Railway will run four trains per hour (two EMR Connect to Wellingborough, one EMR Intercity to Nottingham and one EMR Intercity to Sheffield)
• Thameslink will run six services per hour (four to Bedford and two to St Albans).

Luton to Bedford

• On Sunday 19 May, rail replacement bus services will run between Luton and Bedford from 00.05 to 08.05.
• On Sunday before around 9am, buses will replace Thameslink trains between West Hampstead Thameslink and St Pancras International.
• Thameslink services will not call at Kentish Town at all on Sunday.

Passengers can plan their journeys in advance by visiting the National Rail website or their individual train operator’s website.

More information on the Midland Main Line upgrade is available here.

“I’d like to thank people for their patience while we make the Midland Main Line better and greener for the future.

“We always try to plan our work at the quietest times which is why recently we’ve been concentrating on Sunday nights, but this latest phase of work is more complicated so we will need to use both Saturday and Sunday to complete our work.

“We’re working closely with train operators so we can keep people on the move, and our advice is to plan ahead and check National Rail Enquiries so they know exactly what to expect from their journey.”

Gavin Crook, Network Rail East Midlands Route principal programme sponsor

“We are advising customers planning to travel to or from London next weekend, 18 and 19 May, to check their journeys in advance by looking for updates on the EMR website.

“Engineering work will affect EMR services and customers should expect longer journey times with rail replacement buses and amended timetables in place.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the engineering work to electrify the Midland Main Line takes place. This work will greatly benefit our customers in the future with more reliable, quicker journeys to and from London.”

Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for EMR

“We thank our customers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail are modernising the infrastructure on this important route. Please plan ahead, and double-check your route before you set off, allowing plenty of extra time if you need to use replacement buses or other alternatives.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern