December 2025 East Coast Timetable

[IrishDave]

But there still seems to be a missing 2L52 1827 to Letchworth.

That is pretty poor to not have a service right in the middle of the evening peak commuter time.

It appears the 18:27 Kings Cross to Letchworth has been sacrificed to give paths over Welwyn for two off-pattern trains, the 18:42 to Newcastle (Lumo) and the 18:45 to Middlesbrough (LNER).

Realtime Trains | 1N98 1842 London Kings Cross to Newcastle | 15/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 1N98 1842 departure from London Kings Cross to Newcastle on 15/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 1N86 1845 London Kings Cross to Middlesbrough | 15/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 1N86 1845 departure from London Kings Cross to Middlesbrough on 15/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

If they were in the standard pattern, the 18:42 Lumo would be at 18:15, but the 18:12 GN to Peterborough precludes the use of the 18:15 path and forces Lumo to go off-pattern at 18:42. Similarly, the 18:45 Middlesbrough would be expected to be an extension of a York path at 18:47, but that only works if the Kings Lynn departs at 18:54 and runs fast to Cambridge South; instead, the Kings Lynn departs at 18:48 and calls at Letchworth and Royston, forcing the Middlesbrough earlier at 18:45.

The combination of those two non-standard paths, which are themselves driven by the additional peak trains for GN, have led to the odd situation where one of the trains that *is* in the standard pattern (namely the 18:27 to Letchworth) cannot be accommodated. An odd choice, if you ask me.

 

[OneOfThe48]

Ah I noticed these services had appeared in the timetable when I was putting everything into Simsig, but didn’t notice they started in February. The “model” date I chose was in March, so that explains that…

I’m sure February is what they’re hoping for, but nothing has been decided or confirmed as yet

 

[Magdalia]

It appears the 18:27 Kings Cross to Letchworth has been sacrificed to give paths over Welwyn for two off-pattern trains, the 18:42 to Newcastle (Lumo) and the 18:45 to Middlesbrough (LNER).

1P90 1842 KX-Peterborough is also missing. Other than this there are xx12/42 KX-Peterboroughs from 1642 to 1912.

Between 1C86/1C88 1824/1854 KX-Cambridge there is now this procession of trains on the down fast:

1S28 1830 KX-Edinburgh
1N13 1833 KX-Newcastle
9S48 1714 Brighton-Cambridge
1D27 1839 KX-Leeds
1N98 1842 KX-Newcastle
1N86 1845 KX-Middlesbrough
1T54 1848 KX-Kings Lynn
9J56 1724 Horsham-Peterborough

All of these continue on the fast line after Woolmer Green, apart from the 2 Thameslink trains.

 

[MikeWM]

This looks like classic ECML disruption delay, something I've experienced hundreds of times, and probably not new timetable related.

...

Thanks, that's interesting to follow. I hadn't looked into it in detail.

Agreed that these 1T48 issues aren't really new timetable related at this point, but that's partly because 1C80 is missing right now, as discussed above. Once 1C80 runs, it has the potential to significantly delay 1T48, as with the delay to 1T50 last night - 1T50 was only 2 late at Letchworth, but 11 by Cambridge, and that's entirely due to being stuck behind the late stopping service 1C82.

--

Eg. the stock for the 0946 Ely-KGX now only arrives at Ely at 0935. Previously it arrived 0926, and left 0947 - and even with 21 minutes, it all too often didn't make it to Ely if it had picked up delays earlier. With just 11 minutes to turnaround now, it seems more likely to be a problem. The first two days it has run ok, but let's see over time.

Was 20 late arriving this morning, but for once they didn't turn it at Cambridge - instead it left Ely 14 late, which worked fine (for me at least!)

 

[SteveP29]

That would be 1S32, which, be warned, will terminate at BWK or NCL on Mondays and Tuesdays every three weeks due to a possession north of Berwick. The 17.33 or 19.33 Newcastle will be extended to Edinburgh on those days.

Thanks for the info, I'll bear that in mind.

 

[aron2smith]

I'm impressed that Stevenage has clockface direct trains to Newcastle (and the main stops north of York) hourly, as well as Harrogate and Bradford seeming to alternate every 2 hours now. That 1 1/2 hour journey time to York or just over 2 hours to Leeds makes day trips viable, shame the price is prohibitive. Was shocked how quickly the ECML got me to the north when doing All Line Rovers in the past, but seems like Stevenage is even more of a convenient station now than ever before due to this timetable offering more direct trains. Very helpful for me with both the Hertford Loop and 907 bus being useful for onward travel, making it much easier to avoid travelling into London. Just a shame they made it set down only towards Kings Cross for those who need it, Thameslink seems woeful these days.

 

[dk1]

Between 1C86/1C88 1824/1854 KX-Cambridge there is now this procession of trains on the down fast:

1S28 1830 KX-Edinburgh
1N13 1833 KX-Newcastle
9S48 1714 Brighton-Cambridge
1D27 1839 KX-Leeds
1N98 1842 KX-Newcastle
1N86 1845 KX-Middlesbrough
1T54 1848 KX-Kings Lynn
9J56 1724 Horsham-Peterborough

All of these continue on the fast line after Woolmer Green, apart from the 2 Thameslink trains.

When it works it’s an extremely impressive bit of timetabling.

 

[The Planner]

When it works it’s an extremely impressive bit of timetabling.

I'd call it brave myself. A flight of 8 like that is going to have the performance people permanently twitching.

 

[dk1]

I'd call it brave myself. A flight of 8 like that is going to have the performance people permanently twitching.

VHF as you well know used to always get my juices flowing

 

[Magdalia]

Between 1C86/1C88 1824/1854 KX-Cambridge there is now this procession of trains on the down fast:

1S28 1830 KX-Edinburgh
1N13 1833 KX-Newcastle
9S48 1714 Brighton-Cambridge
1D27 1839 KX-Leeds
1N98 1842 KX-Newcastle
1N86 1845 KX-Middlesbrough
1T54 1848 KX-Kings Lynn
9J56 1724 Horsham-Peterborough

All of these continue on the fast line after Woolmer Green, apart from the 2 Thameslink trains.

While looking at tonight's disruption, I noticed something else about these.

1N98 goes onto the slow line at Woolmer Green, calls at Stevenage in platform 4, then goes back out onto the fast line after 1N86 and 1T48 have passed.

I'd call it brave myself. A flight of 8 like that is going to have the performance people permanently twitching.

As an optometrist would say, better or worse?

 

[route101]

Do we think Lumo will expand the Glasgow service to include Saturdays and other services.

 

[hexagon789]

Do we think Lumo will expand the Glasgow service to include Saturdays and other services.

The paths they've got are all the ORR would approve.

I understand they wanted others, including Saturdays.

Perhaps if the extensions prove successful, they may be able to lobby for additional ones in the future.

 

[Intercity_225]

Its also pick uo only Stevenage and set down only everywhere else.

(Quoted from this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/last-euston-manchester.296520/#post-7604745)

How come it stops at Stevenage now? Since before December it went straight through without stopping.

 

[route101]

Speaking of LNER, I randomly came across a printed timetable at Berwick upon Tweed on the ticket office counter. Just one. And none were on any racks. These must be kept behind the counter. Did not expect to see them still around.

 

[43 302]

Speaking of LNER, I randomly came across a printed timetable at Berwick upon Tweed on the ticket office counter. Just one. And none were on any racks. These must be kept behind the counter. Did not expect to see them still around.

First printed ECML timetable since 2019 I believe!

 

[ainsworth74]

First printed ECML timetable since 2019 I believe!

I guess if you're going to do a printed timetable booklet the largest timetable change since May 2011 is probably the occasion to do it!

 

[Llandudno]

Can never understand why paper timetables are kept hidden behind the counter

No doubt at the next timetable change there will be 000s of spare timetable booklets sent for recycling.

Then a decision will be made to not issue them in the future as no one picks any up…!

 

[Bayum]

While looking at tonight's disruption, I noticed something else about these.

1N98 goes onto the slow line at Woolmer Green, calls at Stevenage in platform 4, then goes back out onto the fast line after 1N86 and 1T48 have passed.

Is 1T48 passing not because of the delays? Normally, it’s timetabled through Stevenage for 1748 so unless 1N98 is waiting 23hrs, I think it’ll be just the LNER it waits for!

There is 1T58 which passes from Kings Cross to Kings Lynn?

 

[route101]

Can never understand why paper timetables are kept hidden behind the counter

No doubt at the next timetable change there will be 000s of spare timetable booklets sent for recycling.

Then a decision will be made to not issue them in the future as no one picks any up…!

Yes, perhaps only limited quantities printed. The London and South East Rail maps were also behind counters in the last few years.

 

[Magdalia]

Is 1T48 passing not because of the delays? Normally, it’s timetabled through Stevenage for 1748 so unless 1N98 is waiting 23hrs, I think it’ll be just the LNER it waits for!

There is 1T58 which passes from Kings Cross to Kings Lynn?

The relevant Kings Lynn train is 1T54 which departs Kings Cross at 1848. 1T48 was a transcription error, sorry!

 

[Bayum]

The relevant Kings Lynn train is 1T54 which departs Kings Cross at 1848. 1T48 was a transcription error, sorry!

I transcribed incorrectly too! Should have been 1T54!

 

[Cach17]

Yes, perhaps only limited quantities printed. The London and South East Rail maps were also behind counters in the last few years.

Do they even still produce physical versions of the L&SE map? I thought they'd discontinued them.

Always loved collecting them on trips out over the years as a wee lad.

 

[route101]

Do they even still produce physical versions of the L&SE map? I thought they'd discontinued them.

Always loved collecting them on trips out over the years as a wee lad.

Last one picked up was late 2019 from behind the info counter at Liverpool Street.

 

[sjm77]

Do we have a view yet if the new timetable 'works'? PLEASE NOTE; I am not talking about the seat reduction to Leeds, or the lack of Newark-Retford connection. What I mean is can it operate reliably unlike the famous 2018 Northern/TPEx debacle!

 

[Failed Unit]

Do we have a view yet if the new timetable 'works'? PLEASE NOTE; I am not talking about the seat reduction to Leeds, or the lack of Newark-Retford connection. What I mean is can it operate reliably unlike the famous 2018 Northern/TPEx debacle!

Still too early to tell, the lack of recovery seems to be clear.

I was on the 1130 Edinburgh - London (ex Inverness). It arrived about 10 minutes late at Newcastle so the 1302 TPE was put out ahead of it, losing more time into York. After Doncaster, The 1200 Edinburgh - London overtook it. (Sensible as it was non-stop) but costing more time.

If the TPE had waited would the LNER have recovered? (Who knows) - Would the out of path TPE have lost more time and imported more delays accross the north?

Great Northern seems to be better at the Southern end. The Fenline users don’t seem too impressed

 

[800Travel]

Still too early to tell, the lack of recovery seems to be clear.

I was on the 1130 Edinburgh - London (ex Inverness). It arrived about 10 minutes late at Newcastle so the 1302 TPE was put out ahead of it, losing more time into York. After Doncaster, The 1200 Edinburgh - London overtook it. (Sensible as it was non-stop) but costing more time.

If the TPE had waited would the LNER have recovered? (Who knows) - Would the out of path TPE have lost more time and imported more delays accross the north?

Great Northern seems to be better at the Southern end. The Fenline users don’t seem too impressed

The TPEs are often held for late running ~XX:00 southbound LNERs - usually up to about 5 minutes or so. if the delay is more, the TPE tends to leave first.

 

[MikeWM]

Eg. the stock for the 0946 Ely-KGX now only arrives at Ely at 0935. Previously it arrived 0926, and left 0947 - and even with 21 minutes, it all too often didn't make it to Ely if it had picked up delays earlier. With just 11 minutes to turnaround now, it seems more likely to be a problem. The first two days it has run ok, but let's see over time.

...this morning for example, the incoming train got stuck behind a late-running Thameslink which had been delayed somewhere around Purley, which itself got stuck behind a late-running stopper which picked up a large delay around Royston.

As such, 17 minutes late, terminated short at Cambridge, and no 0946 for me to catch at Ely.

 

[Adrian1980uk]

It will take a while for the ROCs work out what works and what doesn't for recovery, even on timetables that have been in place for a few years it doesn't always appear to the average person why certain actions are taken in times of disruption.

 

[sjm77]

Does anybody know why there are some alterations to today's timetabled departure times from Kings Cross? For example the 16:00 1S23 to Edinburgh leaves at 15:56 instead of 16:00. The sectional running times are then extended between Potters Bar and Hatfield so the service picks up it's regular path. However realtime trains does show a switch to the slow lines. Similar ha shappened to the 11:46 Kings Cross to York.

 

[Segedunum]

Does anybody know why there are some alterations to today's timetabled departure times from Kings Cross? For example the 16:00 1S23 to Edinburgh leaves at 15:56 instead of 16:00. The sectional running times are then extended between Potters Bar and Hatfield so the service picks up it's regular path. However realtime trains does show a switch to the slow lines. Similar ha shappened to the 11:46 Kings Cross to York.

No service from the East Coast Mainline to the Thameslink core, so some LNER services have been "flexed" to accommodate additional services using Kings Cross.

Looks like Thameslink have been given Platform 8 all day for this purpose.