Timetable Changes

We are making small timing changes on some key routes to improve reliability and performance, making use of the new third platform at Salford Crescent to reduce congestion, support more reliable journeys across Greater Manchester and help trains recover more quickly after disruption. On the Cumbrian Coast Line, we will continue to run an alternative service whilst Bransty Tunnel remains closed. 

Salford Crescent Third Platform     

From December 2026, trains will be timetabled to use the new third platform at Salford Crescent, which will help us to improve the reliability of services through Greater Manchester. By spreading trains more evenly across the station, we can reduce congestion at one of the region’s busiest junctions, helping to improve performance across Manchester and beyond and allowing us to keep trains moving during periods of disruption. 

Liverpool Lime Street 

We have worked with TransPennine Express to make some small timetable adjustments to both of our services to and from Liverpool Lime Street. These changes will help trains arrive and depart more reliably, supporting more punctual journeys between Liverpool and Manchester via Earlestown for Northern trains. 

Generally, trains between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Airport which previously departed on the hour, will leave two minutes earlier at 58 minutes past the hour.

Manchester Airport 

Most journeys will remain unchanged, although there will be minor timetable adjustments and some changes to stopping patterns on routes to and from Manchester Airport. 

Trains between Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street will no longer call at Burnage. Our Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness/Windermere via Manchester Piccadilly service will call additionally at Burnage. Trains between Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe will continue to call at all intermediate stations. 

These changes will support improved performance on trains between Liverpool and Manchester and through central Manchester.  

Cumbrian Coast Line timetable

Rail replacement buses will continue to run between Corkickle and Whitehaven while Bransty Tunnel remains closed to allow emergency work.

• 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.

Sunday timetable

Current reduced Sunday timetables, which were introduced on some routes in December 2024, will continue until May 2027. Click here for further details.

In the North East, we're making some small timetable changes to support better connections and ensure services continue to operate reliably. 

Newcastle - Sunderland - Middlesbrough

Weekdays 

We've made some small changes to train times on weekdays to maintain good connections and ensure services continue to operate reliably alongside an increased Tyne and Wear Metro timetable. 

Middlesbrough - Nunthorpe - Whitby

Sundays

Following your feedback, we’re improving Sunday connectivity between Nunthorpe and the Durham Coast. This means more through journeys on Sundays begin and end at Nunthorpe rather than Middlesbrough, giving you more direct options for day trips and weekend travel. 

*Customers travelling from Whitby to Darlington will have time to swap at Middlesbrough onto the 1226 Middlesbrough to Darlington service.

Following the completion of TransPennine Route Upgrade works at Huddersfield station, which began in 2025, from February 2027, you will once again be able to travel directly between Bradford Interchange and Huddersfield via Brighouse and between Leeds and Huddersfield via Dewsbury. 

Bradford Interchange to Huddersfield via Brighouse 

On Monday to Saturday, we will run an hourly service calling at Low Moor, Halifax and Brighouse. On Sundays this will carry on to Leeds.  

Whilst Deighton station remains closed for remodelling, we will provide buses instead of trains between Huddersfield, Deighton and Brighouse to connect to trains to and from Bradford Interchange.  

Leeds to Huddersfield via Dewsbury 

We will run an hourly service every day which will call at Cottingley, Morley, Batley, Dewsbury and Mirfield. 

You can find information about timetable changes happening across the country here, some changes to other operators in the North are below.

TransPennine Express 

Manchester Airport/Liverpool Lime Street – Edinburgh/Glasgow Central

Selected Sunday services will be added or extended, providing earlier journey options from Edinburgh and more through services between Scotland and Manchester Airport.
These changes will not operate from 10 January to 14 February 2027, 4 April to 9 May 2027, or 16 May to 20 June 2027.

Edinburgh – Newcastle

The late-afternoon Edinburgh to Newcastle service will depart slightly later.

Newcastle – Liverpool Lime Street

Some arrival and departure times will change slightly to improve reliability.

Scarborough – Manchester Victoria

Some services will have minor timing changes to improve reliability and connections at York. Overall journey times between York and Scarborough are not expected to increase.

Redcar Central – Manchester Airport

On Sundays, the morning York to Manchester Victoria service will call at intermediate stations between Huddersfield and Stalybridge, maintaining a Sunday morning service for these stations.

Hull – Liverpool Lime Street

Some departure and arrival times will change slightly, with a more consistent timetable pattern introduced where possible.

York – Wakefield Kirkgate – Huddersfield – Manchester Piccadilly

Some northbound services towards York may arrive up to five minutes earlier.

Other changes:

The Sunday morning Leeds to Manchester Victoria service will be removed. Intermediate stations between Huddersfield and Stalybridge will continue to be served by the York to Manchester Victoria service.

LNER

LNER have made a small number of changes to the timetable from 13 December 2026 to 15 May 2027. The changes include:

Mondays to Fridays

• 0730 London Kings Cross to Lincoln train will depart earlier at 0729
• Customers will be able to use the 2240 and 2333 trains from London Kings Cross to Leeds for journeys between London Kings Cross and Stevenage. This was not previously possible, as the trains only called at Stevenage for passengers to board.

Saturdays

• 0730 London Kings Cross to Lincoln train will depart earlier at 0729
• 1845 London Kings Cross to York train will depart later at 1847

Sundays

• All services from London Kings Cross to Leeds, Bradford Forster Square and Harrogate which departed at 36 minutes past the hour will now depart at 37 minutes past the hour
• 2009 London Kings Cross to Leeds train will depart later at 2010