Video: West Coast main line reopens following upgrades

The railway between Carlisle and Lancaster and in Crewe has reopened for passengers and freight today after major improvement work over the Easter bank holiday.

Network Rail invested £5m to improve future journeys on the West Coast main line between Friday 7 April and today (Tuesday 11 April). Drone footage and photographs of the improvements have been released showing work to replace track, improve signalling systems and upgrade the overhead lines which power trains on key routes through the region.

Watch the video, below:

The work included upgrades along the West Coast main line between Lancaster and Carlisle, with switches and crossings being upgraded at Weaver junction in Cheshire on Easter Sunday. Improvements to signalling in Crewe, and ongoing track upgrades so more trains can run in future on the Hope Valley line between Sheffield and Manchester also took place.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their patience who faced changes to journeys over Easter while hundreds of railway engineers maintained and upgraded the West Coast main line to make it fit for the future.

Network Rail engineers work on track upgrades near Basford Hall, lifting crossings into position.

“The essential work will make journeys for passengers and freight faster and more reliable. Completing these projects now sets us in good stead for the rest of the year, with more work planned over the early May bank holiday at the end of this month.”

Further essential upgrades to improve future journeys are planned in the North West between Saturday April 29 and Monday May 1.

Read the latest news in a weekly format. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive reviews, modelling advice and competitions too.