In preparation for a major change in the train timetable on the East Coast Main Line next December, on Thursday, 12th June, colleagues from across the rail industry travelled on a train from Edinburgh Waverley to London King’s Cross to discuss issues that may disrupt train services.

Next December’s timetable change is the biggest in a generation. Representatives from London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Network Rail, Hitachi, Northern, TransPennine Express, the Department for Transport, and the Office of Rail and Road travelled on the 09.00 LNER train from Edinburgh Waverley to London King’s Cross for what has become known as the industry’s annual ‘Coffee Cup Run’.

What started with placing a filled coffee cup on a train table and measuring the amount of spillage to determine track and ride quality is now an annual event attended by industry experts.

Suggestions and solutions highlighted during Coffee Cup Runs are taken forward for further consideration, one example being issues discussed at last year’s event that have resulted in more LNER trains being fitted with technology to help proactively identify potential infrastructure issues, thereby reducing resultant delays for customers.

During this year’s journey, the colleagues discussed and analysed topics including train-borne infrastructure monitoring, infrastructure readiness, December 2025 train performance, and the impact of external events. They also suggested possible solutions and came up with introductory measures.

The culmination of hard preparatory work will bring changes for all train operators on the East Coast Main Line. Travellers on LNER services will benefit from quicker journeys between London and Edinburgh, with the time for some services reduced to close to four hours. Also, there will be 37 extra services each weekday, equating to millions of extra seats each year, and resulting in at least £108 million in additional economic value.

“This collaborative approach shows the rail industry working together to deliver transformational change for passengers. The December 2025 timetable represents the most significant overhaul to East Coast services in decades, and we must make sure our infrastructure is ready.

Further details about the December 2025 timetable can be found here.

An example of benefits to passengers is from LNER‘s machine learning experts who have developed technology to help predict train delays.

The Coffee Cup Run provides valuable passenger perspective insights while enabling experts to identify challenges and develop real-time solutions. By combining our expertise, we’re building a more reliable, efficient railway that will better serve communities along the entire East Coast route.”

Simon Pumphrey, Infrastructure Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route