Passengers will be able to travel on a specially-chartered shuttle train between Oxenholme and Windermere on the Lake District railway line this weekend.
Due to essential Network Rail engineering work on the adjoining West Coast main line over the Easter weekend, plans are already in place for a comprehensive bus service to replace trains.
The important rail upgrade work is part of the Great North Rail Project.
Now, with the weather set fair ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend, a Lakes Line shuttle train has also been arranged for customers to provide they with an additional travel option on Saturday and Sunday.
This Lakes shuttle service, which will be free of charge, was jointly devised by Network Rail, local MP Tim Farron and charter operator West Coast Railways.
Martin Frobisher, managing director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “I am delighted to help provide this additional service for the many visitors who are planning to visit the beautiful Lake District National Park. With such glorious weather forecast for Easter, I’m sure that the railway will provide a much needed alternative to the traffic jams on the roads.”
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: “I’m absolutely over the moon that we’ve been able to secure this service. Easter is crucial to the Lake District economy, so this is brilliant news that they’ll be a train running on the Lakes line this weekend.”
David Brown, Northern managing director, said: “This special train will complement the comprehensive bus service we have organised for customers this weekend.”
The shuttle train services will be scheduled to depart shortly after the bus replacement services leave.
Major engineering work is taking place on other parts of the West Coast main line this Easter (19-22 April) and early May bank holiday (4-6 May).
Passengers are advised to check before they travel at nationalrail.co.uk/westcoast.
