Translink announce Derry railway line weekend closure during upcoming engineering upgrades

Train passengers are being advised to plan ahead after a weekend of upgrades was announced for the railway line between Derry and Belfast Grand Central Station.

The line will be closed on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30 2025 and rail replacement buses will be in operation.

Translink will be carrying out essential engineering work on the railway lines during these times.

These infrastructure upgrades are important to maintain safe and reliable services for a quality passenger experience and keep the rail network fit for the future.

Rail substitution bus services will operate on the Derry line. Valid rail tickets will also be valid on appropriate scheduled bus services.

Passengers are advised plan ahead, check timetables, and allow extra time to complete their journeys.

John Glass, Head of Infrastructure and Projects at Translink, shared: "This work is part of our continuous improvement programme, crucial for the long-term efficiency and sustainability of the network.

“Over the weekend, our engineers will be working across multiple worksites along both lines to deliver safety enhancements, upgrades to signalling systems, ongoing track and station maintenance work, and other essential programs designed to modernise the rail network.

“Once complete these important upgrades and renewals will mean better journeys for the many passengers who travel on these busy routes.

“We’ve worked hard to find the least disruptive window to deliver these vital works and ensure they are completed in the most efficient and cost-effective way; however we understand this closure will cause some temporary disruption, and we apologise and thank passengers and local neighbours for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out”.

“We would ask passengers planning to travel, please plan ahead, download and check the journey planner app, Translink NI, visit www.translink.co.uk, or call the Translink contact centre on 02890 66 66 30 to get all the information about these service changes”. John concluded

Rail substitution bus services

The Derry line will close between Belfast Grand Central Station and Derry with rail replacement bus substitution services operating between: Derry and Coleraine serving Bellarena and Castlerock; Coleraine and Belfast Grand Central Station via York Street Station; Coleraine and Portrush; Coleraine and Ballymena via Ballymoney Train Station; Ballymena and Cullybackey; Ballymena and Belfast Grand Central Station via Antrim Bus and Rail Station and York Street Train Station; Ballymena and Mossley West via Antrim Bus and Rail Station; A Rail replacement bus substitution service will operate between: Mossley West, Antrim & Ballymena. Passengers for Belfast should use Metro Services 1d / 1k; All other halts will be served by the nearest main road bus stop. 

Passengers with valid rail tickets will also be able to travel on scheduled Ulsterbus services 218 operating between Ballymena/Antrim and Belfast, in addition to the 212 service between Derry and Belfast during the closure period.

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Passengers and residents wanting further details on upcoming engineering works please visit www.translink.co.uk/lineimprovements