Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 disruption

If you're planning to take the train over the Christmas and New Year period, please plan ahead and check before you travel - disruption is expected. 

There will likely be changes to train services across the rail network over the holiday season, with disruption on some days. 

You can find route-specific information by using the Journey Check tool, plan your journey through the Journey Planner  or view the Northern Timetables page

JOURNEY CHECK JOURNEY PLANNER VIEW TIMETABLES

 Updated 29/12/2023

New Year's Eve - Significant travel disruption in the North West

We will be operating a reduced service across the North West due to traincrew unavailability.

As a result of fewer services we expect trains to be extremely busy. Services are finishing earlier than usual at around 16:00 and some routes (see below) will see no services operating.  Please plan ahead and check before you travel.

Do Not Travel on the routes below on New Year’s Eve (31 December)

• Morecambe/Heysham – Lancaster
• Oxenholme – Windermere 
• Preston – Colne
• Manchester Victoria – Stalybridge 
• Clitheroe – Bolton 

Ticket restrictions have been lifted, on Northern services, for customers to use tickets dated 31 Dec on the 29 and 30 December.  

Disruption by days

Ticket acceptance - changing your travel days

Customers with a Northern ticket dated for Sunday 31 December (New Year's Eve) can instead travel on either Friday 29 or Saturday 30 December - valid on the full Northern Network. This is for Northern services only. 

Friday 29 December

Standard Timetable 

Saturday 30 December

Standard Timetable - Engineering work may affect journeys - EXPECT DISRUPTION - 
CHECK BEFORE TRAVELLING

• Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Doncaster and Hull via Goole.
• Due to engineering work, trains in both directions between Manchester Victoria and Leeds via Dewsbury will be diverted to run via Halifax and Bradford Interchange, and will not call at Brighouse, Dewsbury, Batley and Morley. Buses will be provided between Halifax and Leeds via Dewsbury and Brighouse.
• Due to engineering work between Manchester and Bolton, the following changes will be made:
  • Trains between Manchester Airport and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere will only run between Bolton and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere.
  • Trains between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport will be diverted via Wigan North Western and will not call at stations via Bolton.
  • Trains between Southport and Manchester Oxford Road will only run between Southport and Bolton.
  • Trains between Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe will only run between Bolton and Clitheroe.
  • Rail replacement buses will be provided between Bolton and Manchester Victoria / Manchester Piccadilly.
  • Trains between Wigan Wallgate and Leeds will only run between Manchester Victoria and Leeds.
  • Rail replacement buses will be provided between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria via Atherton.

Sunday 31 December (NEW YEARS EVE)

Standard Timetable - Engineering work may affect journeys - EXPECT DISRUPTION - 
CHECK BEFORE TRAVELLING

Significant travel disruption in the North West - see information at the top of this page. 

• Services may finish earlier on New Year's Eve. Check last trains of the day as they may be earlier than usual. 
• Leeds – Sheffield – Nottingham:  Nottingham trains will operate between Leeds and Sheffield only in both directions. Buses will replace trains between Sheffield and Nottingham ever two hours all day (last services earlier than usual).
• Due to engineering work, buses will replace trains between Doncaster and Hull via Goole.
• Manchester Piccadilly – Sheffield:  Trains will terminate at New Mills Central. 
• Sheffield – Manchester Piccadilly:  Trains will start from New Mills Central. Buses will be provided between New Mills Central and Sheffield all day
• From 19:00 Manchester Victoria – Stalybridge: trains will not run”.  Alternative journeys are available on local buses and trams, and train services between Manchester Piccadilly and Stalybridge
• Due to engineering work between Manchester and Bolton, the following changes will be made:
  • Trains between Manchester Airport and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere will only run between Bolton and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere.
  • Trains between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport will be diverted via Wigan North Western and will not call at stations via Bolton.
  • Trains between Southport and Manchester Oxford Road will only run between Southport and Bolton.
  • Trains between Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe will only run between Bolton and Clitheroe.
  • Rail replacement buses will be provided between Bolton and Manchester Victoria / Manchester Piccadilly.
  • Trains between Wigan Wallgate and Leeds will only run between Manchester Victoria and Leeds.
  • Rail replacement buses will be provided between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria via Atherton.

Monday 1 January 2024 (NEW YEARS DAY) 

Standard Timetable (except the North East) - Engineering work may affect journeys - EXPECT DISRUPTION -  CHECK BEFORE TRAVELLING

• Services may start later on New Year's Day. Check the first trains of the day as they may be later than usual. 
• No service in the North East except the 'Whitby line' only.
• Due to engineering work, trains in both directions between Manchester Victoria and Leeds via Dewsbury will be diverted to run via Halifax and Bradford Interchange, and will not call at Brighouse, Dewsbury, Batley and Morley. Buses will be provided between Halifax and Leeds via Dewsbury and Brighouse.
• Due to engineering work between Manchester and Bolton, the following changes will be made:
  • Trains between Manchester Airport and Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere will not run.
  • Trains between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport will be diverted via Wigan North Western and will not call at stations via Bolton.
  • Trains between Southport and Manchester Oxford Road will only run between Southport and Bolton.
  • Trains between Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe will only run between Bolton and Clitheroe.
  • Rail replacement buses will be provided between Bolton and Manchester Victoria / Manchester Piccadilly.
  • Trains between Wigan Wallgate and Leeds will only run between Manchester Victoria and Leeds.
  • Rail replacement buses will be provided between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria via Atherton.

Rail Replacement 

Rail replacement bus stop locations can be found on both the Useful Information Posters and, where installed, on dedicated green rail replacement posters at stations.

Please note rail replacement buses are unable to carry:

• Heavy luggage
• Non-folding bicycles, prams or scooters
• Animals (other than registered assistance dogs).

Please note that hot food, drinks, and alcoholic drinks cannot be consumed on bus services.

You can also visit the Help section for our current availability on accessible buses for planned engineering works.

Passenger Assist

Our Passenger Assist service is available from all affected stations for customers requiring mobility assistance. Where possible, we recommend booking assistance in advance by calling 0800 138 5560 (Text Relay 18001 0800 138 5560), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or online. You can also book your travel assistance via the Passenger Assistance app.