December 2024 Timetable Changes

Northern’s train timetables will change on Sunday 15 December 2024 in line with the national timetable change.

There will be changes to the timings of trains, as well as a handful of services added and removed.

Most services will run at the same level as they do in the current June 24 timetable, with some slight re-timings in places. 

We advise customers to check before travelling as their usual services may differ from the current timetable.

Check before you travel

Please visit our service updates page for real-time updates on any disruption or issues affecting your route or train.

Journey Planner Live Service Updates 

What's new?

December will see the introduction of more electric '323' trains to our fleet, the introduction of a Leeds-Huddersfield service and the opening of the Newcastle – Ashington (Northumberland line) service.

Changes by routes

East

Leeds – Huddersfield

We will begin the operation of a two-hourly Leeds – Huddersfield via Dewsbury stopping service. 

(TPE will also operate two hourly, combining to provide an hourly stopping service on the route.)

Leeds – York

With the conclusion of the current phase of Sunday engineering work between Church Fenton and York, the Leeds – York stopping service will revert to the normal timetable, rather than some services being diverted to run to/from Selby.

Late services will continue to be amended and replaced by buses on Monday to Thursday nights while work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade continues.

Huddersfield

Weekend work in connection with Transpennine Route Upgrade will take place in the Huddersfield area from January until May 2025.

• Leeds – Dewsbury – Huddersfield services will divert from Mirfield via Brighouse to Halifax (and Bradford Interchange on Saturdays).
• Bradford – Huddersfield Saturday services will not operate. Leeds – Bradford – Huddersfield Sunday services will terminate/start at Halifax.
• Huddersfield – Sheffield services will start/terminate at Lockwood.

North West

Following the arrival of additional Class 323 electric trains, we will make some changes to planned train formations to provide additional capacity.

• Those Blackpool – Manchester Airport services which have been temporarily covered by 4 car Class 331s, will return to 6-car formations. 

• 4 car 331 trains will be used on most Liverpool – Blackpool services and some Manchester – Hadfield services.

• Some timing alterations are made to Cumbrian Coast services to improve performance, with minor adjustments to some running times, and a review of the timings of crossing moves at St Bees. In addition, some minor alterations improve connections with long-distance services at Carlisle.

• Salford Central station will be closed to customers for the next phase of station upgrade works from 10 February to 20 April. Trains can run through the station as normal but will not call (with the exception of some Sundays in March/April). 
  • Salford Crescent will also be closed on some weekends between 1 March and 18 May 2025 (more details to follow on this work)

• Manchester – Wigan via Bolton and via Atherton. Late-night services will continue to be amended and replaced by buses on Sunday to Thursday nights, while work to electrify the route between Wigan and Bolton is completed.

   

North East

• Northumberland Line – as announced by Northumberland Council, the new Northumberland Line service is expected to be up and running in December 2024. 

  • Stations at Ashington, Newsham and Seaton Delaval are due to open this year.​

  • Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park are under construction and due to open in 2025. ​ 

  • More details about the line can be found at www.northumberlandline.uk​