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Direct LNER Bedford Services Help Keep Customers Moving During Digital Signalling Upgrade

12/08/2026

Direct LNER Bedford Services Help Keep Customers Moving During Digital Signalling Upgrade

LNER is sharing further details on how customers can keep connected with the English capital while engineering work to install next generation digital signalling equipment takes place on the East Coast Main Line on 30 August 2026.  

While there will be no direct LNER trains into London King’s Cross, customers who are planning to travel to London with LNER still have options.

LNER will be operating train services to Peterborough, where air-conditioned coaches will be waiting to take customers to and from Bedford, for connecting Thameslink services to and from London St Pancras. A short video released by LNER earlier this year shows how easy and comfortable the journey is, with colleagues on hand to assist.

In addition, to ease congestion and provide a more direct option for customers travelling to and from London by rail, LNER will be operating special services in and out of Bedford.

When engineering work is taking place, some journey planners suggest travelling via Sheffield, Nottingham, or Derby. These services can become very busy, particularly on northbound services from London St Pancras.

Now, LNER will be operating additional southbound services between Newcastle and Bedford on 30 August. Departing at 08:26 and 12:27 they will call at Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York and Doncaster, before heading direct to Bedford. From there, customers can transfer to frequent Thameslink train services to London St Pancras.

Two direct LNER northbound services from Bedford to Newcastle will also be running. Departing from Bedford at 12:49 and 16:57, they will call at Doncaster, York, Northallerton, Darlington, Durham and Newcastle. To connect to these services, customers are advised to use Thameslink rail connections from London St Pancras.

Customers wishing to book the southbound services should visit www.lner.co.uk. Search for journeys on Sunday 30 August from the previously listed stations to London St Pancras and select the journey which arrives at either 13:37 or 17:37.

Customers wishing to book the northbound services should visit www.lner.co.uk. Search for journeys on Sunday 30 August departing from London St Pancras, selecting change at Bedford in the filter search. Then choose the journey which depart London St Pancras at 11:36 or 15:36.

LNER has released a short video to assist customers wanting to book the direct to Bedford services.

Anyone planning to travel on Sunday 30th August is advised to check the latest details in advance of their journey Travel Alerts for your Train Journey | LNER.