Rail passengers are advised to plan and check for journey updates while Midland Main Line upgrades continue.
Since April Network Rail teams have been working on Sunday nights to replace existing overhead power cables for trains between Bedford and Luton.
On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May, the Midland Main Line will be shut between Kettering and Wigston.
East Midlands Railway intercity services between Sheffield / Nottingham and London St Pancras will divert via Corby and Melton Mowbray with two trains running per hour.
East Midlands Railway Connect services with terminate at Wellingborough. Rail replacement bus services operate for passengers travelling between Leicester, Market Harborough, and Kettering.
This weekend will see work ramp up, with the major railway upgrades taking place at multiple locations on both Saturday, May 18 and Sunday May 19.
It will mean:
– new overhead line equipment and track drainage upgrades between Kettering and Wigston.
– existing overhead lines replaced between Bedford and Luton.
– new switches and crossings (pieces of track which move to allow trains to change lines) installed between Radlett and Cricklewood, separate to Midland Main Line electrification work.
This latest work is part of the wider scheme to improve the Midland Main Line to allow East Midlands Railway’s greener fleet to run at speeds of 125mph in the future.
The bi-mode trains – which can switch between diesel power or electricity when there are cables above – will provide more reliable, faster, and quieter journeys once the scheme is fully finished.
People are being advised that the latest essential work will see changes to journeys over the weekend of 18 and 19 May*.
Anyone travelling should be prepared for busier trains, longer journey times and may need to change onto rail replacement buses.
Passengers are being advised to plan ahead by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk or by checking with their individual train operator.
Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “We are advising customers planning to travel to or from London next weekend, 18 and 19 May, to check their journeys in advance by looking for updates on the EMR website.
“Engineering work will affect EMR services and customers should expect longer journey times with rail replacement buses and amended timetables in place.
“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the engineering work to electrify the Midland Main Line takes place. This work will greatly benefit our customers in the future with more reliable, quicker journeys to and from London.”
