Anglo-Scottish services - Easter 2026

[50039]

Hello - not sure if this belongs here or under Fares advice etc.

I have, inadvertently, left myself needing to get from Glasgow to London on Easter Saturday next year.

I'm aware there is often major engineering work over the Easter weekend, and that next year's plans have not yet been announced.

Questions - when do Easter engineering works normally get announced, and is it reasonable to expect that one of the routes WCML/ECML will be remain open if the other is closed?

Thanks

 

[Retorus]

Probably safer to fly.

 

[50039]

Probably safer to fly.

Yep, that's the fallback position...

 

[The Planner]

WCML will be shut south of Milton Keynes. Standard over Easter.

 

[50039]

WCML will be shut south of Milton Keynes. Standard over Easter.

Thanks. Milton Keynes would be enough for me - just keeping everything crossed for now I think!

 

[50039]

Doing a little more research... Caledonian Sleeper service from Glasgow on Good Friday is leaving earlier than normal to go via Edinburgh, so presumably ECML.. presumably that's because the WCML is closed south of MKC - but it does suggest the ECML will be open?

 

[30907]

Doing a little more research... Caledonian Sleeper service from Glasgow on Good Friday is leaving earlier than normal to go via Edinburgh, so presumably ECML.. presumably that's because the WCML is closed south of MKC - but it does suggest the ECML will be open?

One or other route should always be open. Policy after a c***-up a few years back.

 

[DaventryRabbit]

Doing a little more research... Caledonian Sleeper service from Glasgow on Good Friday is leaving earlier than normal to go via Edinburgh, so presumably ECML.. presumably that's because the WCML is closed south of MKC - but it does suggest the ECML will be open?

Will the Northbound Highlander on Good Friday go WCML ie get through before the possession kicks in? Or is it booked ECML?
Looking to be on it to either Aviemore or Aberdeen depending on circumstances...

 

[50039]

One or other route should always be open. Policy after a c***-up a few years back.

Thanks - that's what I would like to think! Joined-up thinking!

 

[50039]

Will the Northbound Highlander on Good Friday go WCML ie get through before the possession kicks in? Or is it booked ECML?
Looking to be on it to either Aviemore or Aberdeen depending on circumstances...

CS website shows it leaving 45 minutes earlier than normal on Good Friday... suggests to me it will go ECML.

I went Lowlander earlier this year, left early and went ECML.

 

[DaventryRabbit]

CS website shows it leaving 45 minutes earlier than normal on Good Friday... suggests to me it will go ECML.

I went Lowlander earlier this year, left early and went ECML.

Great, thanks for that 50039!

 

[Tilting007]

WCML will be shut south of Milton Keynes. Standard over Easter.

Six days this time!

 

[The Planner]

Six days this time!

Yes, not cheap.

 

[A S Leib]

One or other route should always be open. Policy after a c***-up a few years back.

In January this year King's Cross – Peterborough and Rugby – Stafford were closed at the same time; would that try to be avoided, even with services being diverted through the West Midlands?

 

[30907]

In January this year King's Cross – Peterborough and Rugby – Stafford were closed at the same time; would that try to be avoided, even with services being diverted through the West Midlands?

No (evidently!) - a diversion via WM (or indeed Manchester) seems to be allowable. Academic for the OP though.

 

[50039]

LNER tickets are now bookable for Easter... nothing from Avanti yet