The stretch of railway, which is renowned for its beautiful scenery, will be used as a diversionary route when the West Coast Main Line is blocked between Preston and Carlisle for two weeks in the new year.

Having worked closely with Network Rail and the wider railway industry, the intercity operator will run its new bi-mode Class 805 Evero trains along the route to keep customers travelling by rail and avoid lengthy bus journeys where possible.

From 1 to 14 January 2026, Network Rail will be replacing Clifton Bridge, which takes the railway over the M6 motorway near Penrith in Cumbria.

Whilst this work is happening, the railway will be blocked throughout and the M6 will be closed between Junctions 39 and 40 over the first two weekends of the month.

To keep customers moving on trains across the North West and into Scotland, Avanti West Coast are planning to run a shuttle service broadly every two hours between Preston and Carlisle non-stop via the Settle to Carlisle route.

The historic 73-mile-long railway line, which will be used as a West Coast Main Line diversionary route for the first time in over 10 years, crosses the picturesque Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, boasting miles of scenic countryside views from the train window.

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables