Timetable Changes

Targeted timing changes, better Sunday links on key routes, and all stations on the Northumberland Line are open for use.

Middlesbrough – Nunthorpe – Whitby – Durham Coast – Newcastle (Sundays)

Following your feedback, we’re improving Sunday connectivity between Whitby, Middlesbrough and the Durham Coast. This means more through journeys on Sundays between Whitby and key destinations on the Durham Coast and in the North East, giving you more options for day trips and weekend travel.

• The 15:42 and 18:41 services from Whitby will now both run through to Newcastle via the Durham Coast.
• Previously, the 15:54 from Whitby terminated at Middlesbrough, and the 18:37 from Whitby ran through to Darlington.

Northumberland Line - Newcastle – Ashington

For the start of the May 2026 timetable, all stations on the Northumberland Line will be open to the public after Bedlington opens on March 29.

Bishop Auckland – Darlington – Middlesbrough – Saltburn

There will be a minor timing change to support a more reliable service.

• The 06:17 Darlington to Bishop Auckland (Monday to Saturday) will now depart at 06:19.
• It will run two minutes later throughout, so arrival times at stations along the route will also be two minutes later.

Improving reliability in autumn in the North East

We have already made plans to improve our on-time performance later this year. Each autumn, leaves on the line can make it harder for trains to brake and accelerate, which can affect punctuality. From Sunday 4 October, we’re changing some train times to help services run more smoothly in autumn.

Newcastle – MetroCentre – Hexham – Carlisle

• Towards Hexham and Carlisle beyond MetroCentre:

  Some trains will be retimed slightly later.

• Towards Newcastle:

  Some trains will be retimed slightly earlier as they approach MetroCentre, and in a few cases, this will mean earlier times through to Newcastle.

Lincoln – Sheffield / Leeds (Sundays)

On Sundays, trains between Sheffield and Lincoln will now call at all stations along the route

Improving reliability in autumn in Yorkshire

We have already made plans to improve our on-time performance later this year. Each autumn, leaves on the line can make it harder for trains to brake and accelerate, which can affect punctuality. From Sunday 4 October, we’re changing some train times between Sheffield and Huddersfield to help services run more smoothly in autumn.

Sheffield – Huddersfield

• Towards Huddersfield:

Most trains will have extra time added between Denby Dale and Huddersfield and will be retimed slightly later into Huddersfield.

• Towards Sheffield:

Most trains will leave Huddersfield a little earlier and have additional time built in between Huddersfield and Denby Dale to support on-time departures towards Sheffield.

Most services stay the same, with a few small timing changes to improve reliability and a continued alternative service while Bransty Tunnel remains closed to allow remedial works to continue on the Cumbrian Coast line.

Cumbrian Coast line timetable

Because Bransty Tunnel remains closed to allow emergency work, we’ll continue to run a combined train and replacement bus service to keep you moving:

• Trains will run between:
  • Lancaster / Barrow-in-Furness and Corkickle
  • Whitehaven and Carlisle
• We will provide buses instead of trains between Corkickle and Whitehaven, connecting with train services at each end.

Please check your journey before you travel and allow a little extra time if you’re travelling between Corkickle and Whitehaven.

Improving reliability in autumn in the North West

We have already made plans to improve our on-time performance later this year. Each autumn, leaves on the line can make it harder for trains to brake and accelerate, which can affect our punctuality. From Sunday 4 October, we’re adjusting some train times on several routes to help services run more reliably through the autumn period.

The changes affect:

• Clitheroe – Rochdale

  Most services will leave Clitheroe a little earlier, with extra time built in along the route to support on-time arrivals for you into Rochdale. 

• Colne – Preston

  Most services will leave Colne a little earlier, with extra time added along the route to support more reliable arrival times at Preston.

• Buxton – Manchester

  Most services will leave Buxton a little earlier, with extra time added to help trains arrive on time into Manchester.

• Chinley / New Mills Central / Rose Hill Marple – Manchester

  Some early morning services will set off slightly earlier from their starting station, with additional time built in to support on-time arrivals for you into Manchester.

Sunday timetable

The reduced Sunday timetable which was introduced on some routes in December 2024 will continue. Click here for further details.