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Wednesday 10 Dec 2025

Wrapping up the year with improvements across Scotland’s Railway this Christmas

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Rail passengers are being reminded to plan their journeys carefully this Christmas and New Year as Network Rail delivers essential engineering work to improve Scotland’s railway. 

Between 24 December and 2 January, engineers will be working around the clock on a series of projects designed to maintain and upgrade key parts of the network. It’s part of Network Rail’s commitment to building a safer, more reliable and resilient railway. 

What’s happening? 

• Signalling upgrades at Portobello, Edinburgh (24 - 27 December) aims to improve reliability on the route, affecting services to North Berwick, Dunbar and Tweedbank during the work. 
  
  
• A new railway bridge at Bowling, West Dunbartonshire (24 December - 2 January) means there will be no trains between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh Central, or between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich. 
  
  
• Track renewal work between Motherwell and Cumbernauld (25 December - 2 January) will help deliver smoother journeys in the future. No trains will run between Motherwell and Cumbernauld via Whifflet, Bellshill and Motherwell, or between Kirkwood and Whifflet during the work. 
  
  
• Replacing a worn-out junction at Hanslope on the West Coast Main Line (25 December - 5 January) aims to improve reliability for cross-border services. Glasgow-London Euston trains will not run between Milton Keynes and Rugby during this period. 
  
  
• Renewing a 1960s bridge over the M6 motorway (31 December - 15 January) will help future-proof a key section of the West Coast route. Glasgow-London Euston services will not operate between Preston and Carlisle while work is underway. 
  
  
• Installing new signalling at Kingmoor, north of Carlisle (1–7 January) aims to enhance performance on the West Coast Main Line. No trains will run between Carlisle and Lockerbie during this upgrade. 
  
  

The projects are essential to keep Scotland’s railway running safely and efficiently. By carrying out work during the festive period, when fewer people tend to travel, improvements can be delivered while minimising disruption.  

Some routes will see temporary service changes including bus replacements and revised timetables. Passengers are advised to check their journey in advance with their train operator and allow extra travelling time.   

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “Christmas and New Year give us a unique opportunity to deliver major improvements while fewer people are travelling. By using this time wisely, we can carry out essential work that will make Scotland’s railway safer and more reliable for years to come. 

“I’m incredibly thankful to the teams who will be working through the festive period to make these upgrades happen. Their commitment behind the scenes is what keeps the railway moving. For anyone planning a journey, I’d encourage you to check your plans in advance and allow a little extra time.” 

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “Whenever Network Rail carries out essential improvement work, our priority is to ensure customers can continue to travel with confidence. 

“While these upgrades mean journeys will be different for some customers over the Christmas period, we’ll have reliable alternative transport in place and clear, timely information to help keep people moving. 

“We understand that this work will cause inconvenience for some customers, but it is crucial to maintaining and improving the reliability of the railway. We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding and encourage everyone to check their journey before travelling.”

Passengers are encouraged to check with their train operator or nationalrail.co.uk before travelling and follow @NetworkRailSCOT on X for the latest updates.