Locations affected
EMR services to/from London St Pancras
Dates
Plan ahead for festive travel - major route improvement work on the Midland Mainline over Christmas 2024
Over the festive period from the start of service on Saturday 21 to end of service on Sunday 29 December, Network Rail are carrying out major route improvement work ready for the introduction of EMR's new bi-mode fleet of trains next year, completing extensive maintenance work, and supporting the future expansion of freight operations on the network. Whilst the work is taking place between Harpenden and London St Pancras, route availability and the ability to start/finish services in available platforms, will affect each operator on the route slightly differently.
To view this information in a Widgit Symbol Friendly format please click here .
No rail services to/from London St Pancras from Saturday 21 December to Sunday 29 December inclusive
As usual, there will be no EMR services on 25 December (Christmas Day) or 26 December (Boxing Day) across the EMR network. Additionally, from Saturday 21 December to 24 December (Christmas Eve), and from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 December inclusive there will be:
- No East Midlands Railway rail services between Bedford and London St Pancras
- No Thameslink rail services between Harpenden and London St Pancras.
Rail Replacement Buses are being provided to support customers travelling to/from London. EMR and Thameslink are providing a range of regular rail replacement buses to connect to/from alternative routes into and out of London. Guidance for your journey will depend on the specific journey you're making, so please check the guidance below for the specific route you're intending to travel on.
- EMR customers travelling to/from London should use London Northwestern services between London Euston and Milton Keynes.
- EMR Rail Replacement Buses which will operate between Milton Keynes and Bedford, and connect onto EMR services between Bedford and Corby/Derby/Sheffield/Nottingham.
- The same options should be used in both directions as the most comfortable way to complete your journey.
- Northbound customers travelling between London and Luton/Luton Airport Parkway should use Great Northern services between London Kings Cross and Hitchin.
- Thameslink Rail Replacement Buses between Hitchin and Luton Airport Parkway where rail connections are available for Luton.
- The same options should be used in both directions as the most comfortable way to complete your journey.
- Southbound customers travelling from stations North of Bedford should use EMR services into Bedford and connect onto Thameslink rail services for Luton and Luton Airport Parkway.
An amended service will operate on EMR's Regional services on the Tuesday 24 December and Friday 27 December. No EMR services will run on 25 December (Christmas Day) or 26 December (Boxing Day). More information on our regional alterations at Christmas can be found here.
If you're travelling on one of the suggested alternative routes, we've created videos to help you get around:
These videos have been created to help you find your way around stations you may not be used to using. Virtual Tours are available for a selection of of EMR stations by clicking here. Click on the video links below for guidance on travelling through other stations during the engineering work.
Travelling through Bedford?
Travelling through Milton Keynes?
Travelling through London Euston?
Travelling through London Kings Cross?
Below, you'll find a breakdown of what is planned to run each day. We strongly recommend you check journey planners on the day before starting your journey, as sometimes disruption can occur which means we may need to offer you different advice to complete your journey.
- For EMR services, you can check for service disruption on your route here.
- For Thameslink services, you can check for service disruption on your route here .
Online journey planners for journeys during the festive period have been available since Friday 4 October. You'll be able to search for your best route and check rail replacement routes for all journeys.
Engineering dates
EMR services will start/finish at Bedford, with the following rail services available in each direction:
- 1 train per hour between Sheffield and Bedford.
- 1 train per hour between Nottingham and Bedford
- 1 train per hour between Corby and Bedford.
Timetable for Intercity and Connect route Saturday 21 December
Thameslink rail services will run between Bedford and Harpenden, there will be no service to stations between Harpenden and London St Pancras.
Rail Replacement Buses are being operated to connect to the East Coast Mainline, where Thameslink are also running train services between Hitchin, Potters Bar and London St Pancras Low Level. Great Northern are running train services between Hitchin, Potters Bar and London Kings Cross. For more information on the services being operated by Thameslink and Great Northern, please click here
.
Rail Replacement Buses will be provided for use by both EMR and Thameslink. You may use your EMR or Thameslink ticket on the Rail Replacement Bus route which serves your journey needs best.
The Rail Replacement Buses are scheduled as below, and apply in both directions:
- EMR Rail Replacement
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Customers connect with London Northwestern services between Milton Keynes and London Euston.
- Where your journey itinerary states an Avanti West Coast connection, you may use your ticket on Avanti West Coast services.
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Thameslink Rail Replacement - A very limited Rail Replacement Bus operation will run on the following routes:
- Luton Airport Parkway - Hitchin
- Harpenden - St Albans - Potters Bar
- Customers can connect with East Coast Mainline services between Hitchin/Potters Bar and London Kings Cross
- Harpenden - London St Pancras
Customers are advised that the alternative route including the bus connection will extend average journey times by approximately 1 hour.
We've created videos to help you find your way around some of the unfamiliar stations you may travel through. To view these, head to the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
EMR services will start/finish at Bedford, with the following rail services available in each direction:
- 1 train per hour between Sheffield and Bedford.
- 1 train per hour between Nottingham and Bedford
- 1 train per hour between Corby and Bedford.
Timetable for Intercity and Connect route Sunday 22 December
Thameslink rail services will run between Bedford and Harpenden, there will be no service to stations between Harpenden and London St Pancras.
Rail Replacement Buses are being operated to connect to the East Coast Mainline, where Thameslink are also running train services between Hitchin, Potters Bar and London St Pancras Low Level. Great Northern are running train services between Hitchin, Potters Bar and London Kings Cross. For more information on the services being operated by Thameslink and Great Northern, please click here
.
Rail Replacement Buses will be provided for use by both EMR and Thameslink. You may use your EMR or Thameslink ticket on the Rail Replacement Bus route which serves your journey needs best.
The Rail Replacement Buses are scheduled as below, and apply in both directions:
- EMR Rail Replacement
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Customers connect with London Northwestern services between Milton Keynes and London Euston.
- Where your journey itinerary states an Avanti West Coast connection, you may use your ticket on Avanti West Coast services.
- Please be aware that London Northwestern services may be busier than usual due to strike action impacting Avanti West Coast services on this date. For more information on the strike action, and how it'll affect Avanti West Coast, click here .
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Thameslink Rail Replacement - A very limited Rail Replacement Bus operation will run on the following routes:
- Luton Airport Parkway - Hitchin
- Harpenden - St Albans - Potters Bar
- Customers can connect with East Coast Mainline services between Hitchin/Potters Bar and London Kings Cross
- Harpenden - London St Pancras
Customers are advised that the alternative route including the bus connection will extend average journey times by approximately 1 hour.
We've created videos to help you find your way around some of the unfamiliar stations you may travel through. To view these, head to the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
EMR services will start/finish at Bedford, with the following rail services available in each direction:
- 1 train per hour between Sheffield and Bedford.
- 1 train per hour between Nottingham and Bedford
- 1 train per hour between Corby and Bedford.
Timetable for Intercity and Connect route Monday 23 December
Thameslink rail services will run between Bedford and Harpenden, there will be no service to stations between Harpenden and London St Pancras.
Rail Replacement Buses are being operated to connect to the East Coast Mainline, where Thameslink are also running train services between Hitchin, Potters Bar and London St Pancras Low Level. Great Northern are running train services between Hitchin, Potters Bar and London Kings Cross. For more information on the services being operated by Thameslink and Great Northern, please click here
.
Rail Replacement Buses will be provided for use by both EMR and Thameslink. You may use your EMR or Thameslink ticket on the Rail Replacement Bus route which serves your journey needs best.
The Rail Replacement Buses are scheduled as below, and apply in both directions:
- EMR Rail Replacement
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Customers connect with London Northwestern services between Milton Keynes and London Euston.
- Where your journey itinerary states an Avanti West Coast connection, you may use your ticket on Avanti West Coast services.
- Please be aware that London Northwestern services may be busier than usual due to strike action impacting Avanti West Coast services on this date. For more information on the strike action, and how it'll affect Avanti West Coast, click here.
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Thameslink Rail Replacement - A very limited Rail Replacement Bus operation will run on the following routes:
- Luton Airport Parkway - Hitchin
- Harpenden - St Albans - Potters Bar
- Customers can connect with East Coast Mainline services between Hitchin/Potters Bar and London Kings Cross
- Harpenden - London St Pancras
- During peak hours, between 06:00 and 10:00, and between 15:30 and 20:00, there will be an increased provision of Rail Replacement Buses for Thameslink routes.
Customers are advised that the alternative route including the bus connection will extend average journey times by approximately 1 hour.
We've created videos to help you find your way around some of the unfamiliar stations you may travel through. To view these, head to the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
On 24 December (Christmas Eve), rail services will stop running earlier than on a normal weekday. Please plan your full journey in advance to avoid missing last connections, which may be earlier than usual.
EMR services will start/finish at Bedford, with the following rail services available in each direction:
- 1 train per hour between Sheffield and Bedford.
- 1 train per hour between Nottingham and Bedford
- 1 train per hour between Corby and Bedford.
Timetable for Intercity and Connect Tuesday 24 December
Thameslink rail services will run between Bedford and Harpenden, there will be no service to stations between Harpenden and London St Pancras. Rail Replacement Buses are being operated to connect to the East Coast Mainline, where Thameslink are also running train services between Hitchin, Potters Bar and London St Pancras Low Level. Great Northern are running train services between Hitchin, Potters Bar and London Kings Cross. For more information on the services being operated by Thameslink and Great Northern, please click here .
Rail Replacement Buses will be provided for use by both EMR and Thameslink. You may use your EMR or Thameslink ticket on the Rail Replacement Bus route which serves your journey needs best.
The Rail Replacement Buses are scheduled as below, and apply in both directions:
- EMR Rail Replacement
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Customers connect with London Northwestern services between Milton Keynes and London Euston.
- Where your journey itinerary states an Avanti West Coast connection, you may use your ticket on Avanti West Coast services.
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Thameslink Rail Replacement - A very limited Rail Replacement Bus operation will run on the following routes:
- Luton Airport Parkway - Hitchin
- Harpenden - St Albans - Potters Bar
- Customers can connect with East Coast Mainline services between Hitchin/Potters Bar and London Kings Cross
- Harpenden - London St Pancras
- During peak hours, between 06:00 and 10:00, and between 15:30 and 20:00, there will be an increased provision of Rail Replacement Buses for Thameslink routes.
Customers are advised that the alternative route including the bus connection will extend average journey times by approximately 1 hour.
We've created videos to help you find your way around some of the unfamiliar stations you may travel through. To view these, head to the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Our last services will be earlier than usual on Christmas Eve, with connections onto Rail Replacement Buses and other operators considered. EMR's last services will be listed below once we've confirmed connections to/from other operators. These will also be available in online journey planners.
EMR do not operate services across the network on Christmas Day, 25 December.
EMR do not operate services across the network on Boxing Day, 26 December.
Following the Christmas closure, services will start later than usual on Friday 27 December. Please plan your full journey in advance if you require early services.
EMR services will start/finish at Bedford, with the following rail services available in each direction:
- 1 train per hour between Sheffield and Bedford.
- 1 train per hour between Nottingham and Bedford
- 1 train per hour between Corby and Bedford.
Timetable for Intercity and Connect route Friday 27 December
Thameslink rail services will run between Bedford and Harpenden only. For more information on the services being operated by Thameslink, please click here .
Rail Replacement Buses will be provided for use by both EMR and Thameslink. You may use your EMR or Thameslink ticket on the Rail Replacement Bus route which serves your journey needs best.
The Rail Replacement Buses are scheduled as below, and apply in both directions:
- EMR Rail Replacement
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Customers connect with London Northwestern services between Milton Keynes and London Euston.
- Where your journey itinerary states an Avanti West Coast connection, you may use your ticket on Avanti West Coast services.
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Thameslink Rail Replacement - A very limited Rail Replacement Bus operation will run on the following routes:
- Luton Airport Parkway - Hitchin
- Harpenden - St Albans - Potters Bar
- Customers can connect with East Coast Mainline services between Hitchin/Potters Bar and London Kings Cross
- Harpenden - London St Pancras
Customers are advised that the alternative route including the bus connection will extend average journey times by approximately 1 hour.
We've created videos to help you find your way around some of the unfamiliar stations you may travel through. To view these, head to the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
EMR services will start/finish at Bedford, with the following rail services available in each direction:
- 1 train per hour between Sheffield and Bedford.
- 1 train per hour between Nottingham and Bedford
- 1 train per hour between Corby and Bedford.
Timetable for Intercity and Connect route Saturday 28 December
Thameslink rail services will run between Bedford and Harpenden only. For more information on the services being operated by Thameslink, please click here .
Rail Replacement Buses will be provided for use by both EMR and Thameslink. You may use your EMR or Thameslink ticket on the Rail Replacement Bus route which serves your journey needs best.
The Rail Replacement Buses are scheduled as below, and apply in both directions:
- EMR Rail Replacement
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Customers connect with London Northwestern services between Milton Keynes and London Euston.
- Where your journey itinerary states an Avanti West Coast connection, you may use your ticket on Avanti West Coast services.
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Thameslink Rail Replacement - A very limited Rail Replacement Bus operation will run on the following routes:
- Luton Airport Parkway - Hitchin
- Harpenden - St Albans - Potters Bar
- Customers can connect with East Coast Mainline services between Hitchin/Potters Bar and London Kings Cross
- Harpenden - London St Pancras
Customers are advised that the alternative route including the bus connection will extend average journey times by approximately 1 hour.
We've created videos to help you find your way around some of the unfamiliar stations you may travel through. To view these, head to the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
EMR services will start/finish at Bedford, with the following rail services available in each direction:
- 1 train per hour between Sheffield and Bedford.
- 1 train per hour between Nottingham and Bedford
- 1 train per hour between Corby and Bedford.
Timetable for Intercity and Connect route Sunday 29 December
Thameslink rail services will run between Bedford and Harpenden only. For more information on the services being operated by Thameslink, please click here .
Rail Replacement Buses will be provided for use by both EMR and Thameslink. You may use your EMR or Thameslink ticket on the Rail Replacement Bus route which serves your journey needs best.
The Rail Replacement Buses are scheduled as below, and apply in both directions:
- EMR Rail Replacement
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Customers connect with London Northwestern services between Milton Keynes and London Euston.
- Where your journey itinerary states an Avanti West Coast connection, you may use your ticket on Avanti West Coast services.
- Please be aware that London Northwestern services may be busier than usual due to strike action impacting Avanti West Coast services on this date. For more information on the strike action, and how it'll affect Avanti West Coast, click here.
- 12 buses per hour between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Thameslink Rail Replacement - A very limited Rail Replacement Bus operation will run on the following routes:
- Luton Airport Parkway - Hitchin
- Harpenden - St Albans - Potters Bar
- Customers can connect with East Coast Mainline services between Hitchin/Potters Bar and London Kings Cross
- Harpenden - London St Pancras
Customers are advised that the alternative route including the bus connection will extend average journey times by approximately 1 hour.
We've created videos to help you find your way around some of the unfamiliar stations you may travel through. To view these, head to the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Following the 9 days of engineering, some of our services which start the day at London St Pancras will be amended. Our expected service plans can be found in online journey planners, so please check your full journey.
Check before you travel
You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner.
Replacement Bus Travel Advice
For helpful advice if you need to travel on a Rail Replacement Bus service, including accessibility and bicycle information, visit National Rail here .
You can find the location of your bus replacement by checking station signs or by searching for your station on our station information pages.
Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, further engineering works are taking place in early December. These are linked to the Midland Mainline upgrades being completed over Christmas 2024. For a full list of engineering work, and to consider what dates may be best for you to travel on, visit our engineering calendar.
During this 9 day engineering programme, Network Rail are carrying out multiple upgrades and improvements.
- A road bridge in Camden which carries three roads over the railway will take the full 9 days to remove and replace. If Network Rail were to undertake these works in smaller periods of time or a different time of year, it would cause significantly more disruption to the local community and rail customers.
- Upgrades to overhead line equipment along the route are being completed, allowing for a more reliable performance of the equipment.
- Work to enable the development of Radlett Strategic Rail Interchange will be completed, helping keep lorries off our roads and deliver improved sustainable travel opportunities.
- Multiple routine maintenance and renewal jobs will also be undertaken to keep the railway running safely and reliably.
Network Rail are ensuring they take full advantage of the nine-day block by carrying out millions of work between London and Bedford and minimise repeat disruptions to service which would have occurred if the work was spread out.
We know there will be lots of customers who would like to travel by rail over the Festive period. No passenger trains run on most of the UK rail network on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, therefore Network Rail are utilising this time to carry out as much work as possible. Network Rail are doing as much work as they can over this period while the railway is historically much quieter to minimise disruption, which is of critical importance to our customers.
As on all EMR services, you can bring up to 3 items of luggage with you on board, 2 larger items and one smaller bag. When travelling with luggage, only bring what you are comfortable to carry yourself, ensure your luggage is packed in a suitable manner and do not obstruct any doorways. On most of our trains there’s space in the luggage racks, in the overhead racks and under your seat to store your luggage.
For customers travelling to or from London during this engineering work, although there will be the same capacity for luggage on our Rail Replacement Bus services, please only bring what you are comfortable to carry yourself, ensuring all luggage is packed in a suitable manner and not to obstruct any doorways. If you are travelling on one of our Rail Replacement Buses, please note that not all bus operators will allow the carriage of bikes.
You can find out more about passenger assistance here.
We know it can be stressful when items are left behind. If you have lost property, you can report this and learn more about how we'll help. Find out more about lost property here.
Passenger Assistance is available for our customers free of charge, and we recommend booking this ahead of time to make the process as seamless as possible at our stations. You can find out how to book assistance here.
If you need a British Sign Language interpreter whilst travelling, why not use our BSL Live service? Free of charge, this is available 24/7 and full details can be found on our website here.
During the engineering work, from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 December 2024, your tickets will be accepted on alternative operators as listed here:
- London Northwestern Railway - between Milton Keynes and London Euston
- Great Northern - between Hitchin and London Kings Cross
- Thameslink - between Bedford and Luton/Luton Airport Parkway
- Avanti West Coast - between Milton Keynes and London Euston.
- Please note, if your ticket is routed "EMR only", or "EMR & Connections", you should use London Northwestern Railway services only between Milton Keynes and London Euston. These tickets will not be accepted on Avanti West Coast services and you may be required to purchase a new ticket.
Thameslink customers may use their tickets on EMR buses between Bedford and Milton Keynes.
Your ticket will be accepted in both directions, between the stations listed above. If you choose to travel via another route with an EMR ticket, you may be charged for a new ticket.
We are planning to have additional staff at our most heavily affected stations, and having EMR colleagues available at stations on the alternative routes to support you. If you're concerned about travelling and need assistance, you can book this here, or search for "Passenger Assistance" on our website.
We've created some videos which will help you find your way around stations you're not used to using. If you're travelling from EMR stations, you can find a selection of virtual station tours here.
Click on the video links below for guidance on travelling through other stations during the engineering work.
Travelling through Bedford?
Travelling through Milton Keynes?
Travelling through London Euston?
Travelling through London Kings Cross?
You can check Live Departure Boards for each of the bus connection stations by clicking the links below:
Our latest timetable information is available on this webpage, with timetables available for you to download.
You can also check for updates to your service using our Live Trains search.
If there's disruption to services, you can find updates on our Rainbow Board, where we'll tell you what's happening and give you advice on how to complete your journey.
It's always useful to know if toilets or retail facilities are available when you're travelling. Both stations are staffed, with customer service, ticket buying and collection facilities. Both stations have step-free access to all platforms, accessible toilets and lounges/waiting rooms. There is a station car park and cycle hub at both locations, as well as shops, refreshment facilities and an ATM. There is no station WiFi currently available at Hitchin or Milton Keynes. You can find out up to date facilities, and station maps for each of the connecting stations on the alternative routes on the National Rail Enquiries website:
If you've planned your journey to avoid using the rail replacement bus and use alternative operators, station information for the most commonly used interchange points can be found below:
There will be a catering offering in First Class and Rail Gourmet trolleys on EMR services which run throughout the 9 day blockade, except on Sundays.
Our ticket offices will remain open as they usually would over the festive period. Some ticket offices may operate amended hours and we'll advertise amended times on our station information pages once they are confirmed.