In common with other train operators, starting on Sunday, 18th May 2025, Northern will introduce a new timetable for its train services.

Although the times of most train services will remain much the same as current ones, some services will be re-timed, especially those on some key routes.

Extra services will also be introduced, and additional seating capacity will be provided on busy lines, including Blackpool to Manchester Airport, Wigan and Bolton to Manchester, and Leeds to Doncaster.

Northern has also added extra electric trains operating services between Leeds and Skipton/Doncaster, and between Blackpool and Manchester Airport that are longer and thus provide extra seating capacity. Last year, Northern recruited over 300 drivers and conductors to help it run its services.

Starting on 30th August, some services will continue to be affected by the Transpennine Route Upgrade when major engineering work is carried out at Huddersfield station.

This will affect the Leeds to Huddersfield and the Bradford to Huddersfield services, which will be replaced by an hourly Northern service between Leeds and Bradford via Dewsbury, Brighouse and Halifax.

To help customers plan their journeys during the change to the new timetable, it has a timetable comparison tool that allows customers to compare the existing and future timetables to identify any changes that may affect their travel plans.

The new timetable does not include the remaining stations on the Northumberland line that are yet to open, including at Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, and Northumberland Park. They due to open later this year, and timetable planning for these is yet to be finalised.

Full details of the changes and the updated timetables are online at northernrailway.co.uk/travel/timetables/timetable-change

“Customers will really start to feel the benefit that these extra carriages will bring, with more seats available to take advantage of on some of our busiest routes across the network. We’ve also been able to reinstate some early morning and late evening journeys that have previously been lost in places as a result of long-term engineering work coming to a finish, which is fantastic news. Whilst the majority of our train times will be similar to what they are now, I d still encourage customers to plan and ahead and check before you travel.

Alex Hornby, commercial and customer director for Northern