Darlington station expansion

[BorderCollie]

With only a few weeks until the new timetable, the two new platforms, new station buildings and car park will soon be available for public use. With the old layout identified as a major cause of delays on the ECML the new £140m layout at Darlington should significantly improve reliability and timekeeping.

Darlington station upgrades - Network Rail

Work has started as part of a multi-million pound upgrade at Darlington station in County Durham. What work is taking...

www.networkrail.co.uk

We will be providing two new platforms on the Eastern side of the station and a new, fully accessible and enclosed footbridge linking them to the current station building.

New cycle lanes will also be introduced, with bike shelters and a multi-storey car park which will adjoin the new station building. The car park will include secure parking for over 600 cars, including accessible parking bays and electric car charging points.

NR Link where it is discussed that working together with Tees Valley Combined Authority, Darlington Borough Council and London North Eastern Railway, we will be providing two new platforms on the Eastern side of the station and a new, fully accessible and enclosed footbridge linking them to the current station building: (the story goes on to explain everything in great detail)

It feels like there's been a surprising lack of coverage and discussion about such a major project. Does anyone know if staff training is now underway/where the track work modifications are at? Is it on time?!

 

[zwk500]

It feels like there's been a surpising lack of coverage and discussion about such a major project.

We did have a thread on it a while ago, but I guess Darlington isn't the sexiest location for the press to know about and putting a platform against a loop isn't quite as big as the Transpennine work, HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, or East Coast Digital Programme.

Darlington: use of the trainshed after the improvements

But yes in theory once the new platforms open there will only really be a need for one platform in the existing train shed, AIUI the current P1 will be used for Northbound services rather than the existing P4 - no reason why they couldn't alternate between the two I suppose - at the very least...

www.railforums.co.uk

Does anyone know if staff training is now underway/where the trackwork modifications are at?

Believe the Trackwork was all installed recently in a blockade. The Periodic Operating Notice available on NR's website:https://www.networkrail.co.uk/indus...ators/national-electronic-sectional-appendix/ (scroll right down to the 'PON' files)
shows it all in and there's no indication on the berth data websites suggesting it's still out of use:

Is it on time?!

According to the March Enhancements Delivery Plan update, it's a little bit behind time, now due to open by May:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CP7-Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-Mar-2026-Update.pdf

(latest version available at the bottom of this page, published approximately quarterly: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/publications-and-resources/)

 

[Bald Rick]

All the work is done apart from some finishing touches. AIUI it will be in use from the new timetable (*checks that fingers are crossed*)

 

[YorkshireBear]

The bay will get one train per hour and the new Up platform all Up services? With the extra platforms giving flexibility to pass services and not hold the Saltburn to Bishop Auckland up constantly.

That is my operational understanding of the benefits.

 

[swt_passenger]

For reference there’s also a closed 2024 thread here:

What's actually happening at Darlington?

I can't see any sensible reporting of this "upgrade," although I have searched quite widely. All the publicity (e.g. https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/east-coast/darlington-station-upgrades/) seems to be designed to hide what is actually being built in terms of track...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[dan4291]

The trackwork and signalling changes for the new platforms have all been carried out, however the platform 5 loop is out of use for passenger trains (including empty coaching stock) unless there's major disruption.

According to Real Time Trains, the first passenger train to use platform 5 will be this:

Realtime Trains | 9M57 0751 Newcastle to Manchester Victoria | 17/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 9M57 0751 departure from Newcastle to Manchester Victoria on 17/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

And platform 6 will be this arrival:

Realtime Trains | 2D95 1041 Whitby to Darlington | 17/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 2D95 1041 departure from Whitby to Darlington on 17/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Coolzac]

Will this create the potential for more services that terminate at Darlington? It surely will create more possibilities given that there's capacity Darlington -Middlesbrough and beyond, now that these services won't have to interact with the ECML. For example, potential for regular Darlington - Hartlepool or Sunderland services. Especially given the Hartlepool station upgrade.

 

[VT 390]

Will this create the potential for more services that terminate at Darlington? It surely will create more possibilities given that there's capacity Darlington -Middlesbrough and beyond, now that these services won't have to interact with the ECML. For example, potential for regular Darlington - Hartlepool or Sunderland services. Especially given the Hartlepool station upgrade.

I doubt many additional services could be added with the current diesel rolling stock Northern has and any new routes would probably have to wait until more rolling stock is made available, even if additional services could be timetabled.

 

[Coolzac]

I doubt many additional services could be added with the current diesel rolling stock Northern has and any new routes would probably have to wait until more rolling stock is made available, even if additional services could be timetabled.

True, but it would only actually be two units going to and fro for an hourly service? It's 45 minutes direct.

Maybe I should send a message to the mayor suggesting this

 

[SuspectUsual]

True, but it would only actually be two units going to and fro for an hourly service? It's 45 minutes direct.

Maybe I should send a message to the mayor suggesting this

Do you think they have two spare units sat around all day?

 

[BorderCollie]

Appreciate everyone who has contributed to updating the current position and speculation.

My take is that maybe LNER and even XC might skip Darlington occasionally now that the station layout is more flexible and southbound will no longer block northbound non stop.

 

[swt_passenger]

Do you think they have two spare units sat around all day?

If they had the Northumberland line might have first dibs anyway…

 

[Coolzac]

Do you think they have two spare units sat around all day?

Well no, but I think for a relatively small outlay in terms of resources it would create a really valuable service, for an area that's quite deprived.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Mar 2026 ==

Appreciate everyone who has contributed to updating the current position and speculation.

My take is that maybe LNER and even XC might skip Darlington occasionally now that the station layout is more flexible and southbound will no longer block northbound non stop.

I would hope not given that Darlington is a valuable junction station. Maybe the odd express going through but otherwise I think the vast majority of services should stop.

 

[dan4291]

Appreciate everyone who has contributed to updating the current position and speculation.

My take is that maybe LNER and even XC might skip Darlington occasionally now that the station layout is more flexible and southbound will no longer block northbound non stop.

LNER have started skipping Darlington and other stations since the December timetable change.

 

[Bald Rick]

LNER have started skipping Darlington and other stations since the December timetable change.

It’s not ‘skipping’, they had always been planned to run non-stop on the super fast Edinburgh expresses. They were planned to do this before the Darlington platfrom works were even approved.

Everything else will continue to stop in normal operation.

 

[800001]

We did have a thread on it a while ago, but I guess Darlington isn't the sexiest location for the press to know about and putting a platform against a loop isn't quite as big as the Transpennine work, HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, or East Coast Digital Programme.

Darlington: use of the trainshed after the improvements

But yes in theory once the new platforms open there will only really be a need for one platform in the existing train shed, AIUI the current P1 will be used for Northbound services rather than the existing P4 - no reason why they couldn't alternate between the two I suppose - at the very least...

www.railforums.co.uk

Believe the Trackwork was all installed recently in a blockade. The Periodic Operating Notice available on NR's website:https://www.networkrail.co.uk/indus...ators/national-electronic-sectional-appendix/ (scroll right down to the 'PON' files)
shows it all in and there's no indication on the berth data websites suggesting it's still out of use:
View attachment 201205

According to the March Enhancements Delivery Plan update, it's a little bit behind time, now due to open by May:
View attachment 201204

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CP7-Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-Mar-2026-Update.pdf

(latest version available at the bottom of this page, published approximately quarterly: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/publications-and-resources/)

They have installed a new loop further north, next to the sidings.

It will be anything coming out of Up sidings which has to pass through platform 5, like the current freight liner working is doing at the moment.

 

[zwk500]

ORR Authorisation for Entry into Service has been Published:
1st May: Darlington Station Up Loop: https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/defaul...-loop-orr-authorisation-letter-2026-05-01.pdf

This authorisation is for the placing in service of the following: A new loop (Darlington Up Loop) to replace the existing functionality of the Up Goods Loop to the north of the station area located at ELR ECM5/LN600 44 Miles 25.45 Chains to 44 Miles 64.04 inclusive.

5th May: Darlington Station Improvements: https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/defaul...ments-orr-authorisation-letter-2026-05-05.pdf

This authorisation is for the placing in service of the following:
• 1 new bay platform
• 1 through platform
• New covered link bridge connecting existing station/new platforms and new station building
• New concourse building (internal fit-out excluding LNER waiting room) and associated route to external PRM drop off
• Associated telecommunications equipment infrastructure on the new platforms and new routes to same
• New OTP/OTM access point and RRAP
• Obstacle free routes from PRM spaces within the MSCP
• Obstacle free routes from PRM spaces and drop off areas within the SSCP

The authorisation limits are as follows:

Line	Start Miles	Start Chains	Finish Miles	Finish Chains
Platform 5	43	64.1	44	23.5
Platform 6	0	22.4	-0	0.63
Down Dinsdale	0	43.7	0	22.4
Up Dinsdale	0	43.6	0	22.4

In time for the May 2026 timetable on the 17th, as (re)programmed in the Enhacement Delivery Plan:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CP7-Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-Mar-2026-Update.pdf

 

[yorkshirerail]

Looks like there may be a press event on Friday involving Tornado as it shunts around Darlington into platform 6 before then heading off to York NRM.

Realtime Trains | 5Z63 0932 North Road to York N.R.M. | 15/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Z63 0932 departure from North Road to York N.R.M. on 15/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[zwk500]

Looks like there may be a press event on Friday involving Tornado as it shunts around Darlington into platform 6 before then heading off to York NRM.

Realtime Trains | 5Z63 0932 North Road to York N.R.M. | 15/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Z63 0932 departure from North Road to York N.R.M. on 15/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

There's a tinge of disappointed about what it says about our current society that the press event to open a new platform would use an obsolete steam loco and not the actual service trains.

The UK's heritage sector is a great thing, but it's not doing the heavy lifting of the actual service.

 

[Zomboid]

Steam trains have a big romance factor and are better at getting attention. And Tornado is inextricably linked with Darlington.

It's not just here - why else would UP have revived 4014? That's not making them a profit operationally...

 

[NER1621]

It’s a press event, designed to get attention and publicity, not a seminar on modern railway traction. Don’t over-think it.

That said, “Tornado” is also a lot newer than the Northern stock which will run out of that platform. And a launch event featuring one of the tired and obsolete 1980s DMUs which are the lot of the Northern passenger wouldn’t have quite the same impact! This isn’t the South of England, where infrastructure enhancements go hand in hand with new stock.

 

[yorkshirerail]

It’s a press event, designed to get attention and publicity, not a seminar on modern railway traction. Don’t over-think it.

That said, “Tornado” is also a lot newer than the Northern stock which will run out of that platform. And a launch event featuring one of the tired and obsolete 1980s DMUs which are the lot of the Northern passenger wouldn’t have quite the same impact! This isn’t the South of England, where infrastructure enhancements go hand in hand with new stock.

Do you think just press will be allowed over there or can anyone who is at the station go over to look at Tornado

 

[Segedunum]

There's a tinge of disappointed about what it says about our current society that the press event to open a new platform would use an obsolete steam loco and not the actual service trains.

LNER are participating also, per these moves: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...15/0000-2359?stp=S&show=call&order=wtt&toc=GR

 

[800001]

Do you think just press will be allowed over there or can anyone who is at the station go over to look at Tornado

I would imagine invited guests only, seeing that LNER are doing a special working to/from York.

 

[The exile]

And a launch event featuring one of the tired and obsolete 1980s DMUs which are the lot of the Northern passenger wouldn’t have quite the same impact! This isn’t the South of England, where infrastructure enhancements go hand in hand with new stock.

“South East”, please! The most recent publicity run on the Portishead line featured a preserved Pacer!

 

[yorkshirerail]

I would imagine invited guests only, seeing that LNER are doing a special working to/from York.

Yeah I kind of expected that. Shame as it would be very cool to go and see Tornado over there

 

[ainsworth74]

I have heard from reliable sources that the station will actually be in use from 15 May rather than when the timetable change occurs on 17 May so those hoping to see Tornado may yet be able to do so even without a formal invitation! But obviously nothing is certain so I wouldn't plan on it unless something is said publicly about when the new platforms will be formally open to the public. I note that RTT still shows the existing platform allocations until 17 May so it may be that they're available for use from then (hence the press event) but there's no plan to use them until the timetable change.

That said, “Tornado” is also a lot newer than the Northern stock which will run out of that platform. And a launch event featuring one of the tired and obsolete 1980s DMUs which are the lot of the Northern passenger wouldn’t have quite the same impact!

I was on a railtour once which was hauled by Tornado on the outwards and a Deltic on the return. The Deltic failed not long after departure on the returning working and it did amuse me being able to joke that it was a shame that the heritage traction had failed whilst the modern traction had performed flawlessly

 

[yorkshirerail]

I have heard from reliable sources that the station will actually be in use from 15 May rather than when the timetable change occurs on 17 May so those hoping to see Tornado may yet be able to do so even without a formal invitation! But obviously nothing is certain so I wouldn't plan on it unless something is said publicly about when the new platforms will be formally open to the public. I note that RTT still shows the existing platform allocations until 17 May so it may be that they're available for use from then (hence the press event) but there's no plan to use them until the timetable change.


I was on a railtour once which was hauled by Tornado on the outwards and a Deltic on the return. The Deltic failed not long after departure on the returning working and it did amuse me being able to joke that it was a shame that the heritage traction had failed whilst the modern traction had performed flawlessly

Thanks @ainsworth74 for that very useful info. Will have to wait and see what happens and decide whether to go for it or not

 

[800001]

Thanks @ainsworth74 for that very useful info. Will have to wait and see what happens and decide whether to go for it or not

If all else fails use platform 1.

 

[yorkshirerail]

If all else fails use platform 1.

Yes indeed. Also still has to through the train shed anyway to get from North Road so will still get a good photo of it