Network Rail teams in York are working through the festive season to upgrade track to the north of the city.
Engineers will renew about 750 metres of track, including sleepers and ballast, from 22:00 Christmas Eve until before the first service runs on 27 December.
The project, which costs £1 million, aims to bring smoother, more reliable services for passengers and reduce the amount of maintenance required in the future, consequently cutting any disruption for passengers. It should also make the railway quieter for people living nearby.
As usual, there are no timetabled train services on Christmas Day and Boxing Day on this part of the railway. Network Rail has planned this work to avoid disruption for passengers at busier times. This also allows engineers to complete the work safely before train services resume.
Stuart Skelton, project manager for Network Rail, said: “I’m proud to work on the railway, and I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my team to carry out this vital work, which will bring more reliable services on the East Coast Main Line.
“With no trains running on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, we’re taking the opportunity to lift and replace the track, ready for services to resume for passengers.”
He said his family understood the importance of the work being carried out over Christmas: “My family are supportive and understand how important this work is, especially as more passengers are returning to the railway. Once it’s complete, I’ll still have time to enjoy some of the festivities with them.”
