Aberdeen Station to Close Over Three Weekends for £3.8m Track Upgrade

Network Rail engineers are set to begin a £3.8m programme of track upgrades at Aberdeen Station from tomorrow, Saturday 31 January, in a move aimed at improving reliability and performance at one of Scotland’s busiest rail hubs.

The work will be carried out over three consecutive weekends and will focus on platforms 3, 4, 6 and 7. During this time, engineers will replace sections of rail, sleepers and ballast, the stone foundation that supports the track. Equipment that allows trains to move between different lines at the station will also be upgraded.

By the end of the project, nearly a mile and a half of rail will have been renewed. The programme will also see the installation of around 1,500 new sleepers and the use of approximately 4,500 tonnes of ballast. Network Rail says the investment forms part of its wider commitment to strengthening railway infrastructure across Scotland.

To allow the work to be carried out safely, Aberdeen Station will be closed to passenger trains on several dates. No services will run through the station on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February, and Sunday 15 and Monday 16 February.

Train operators have been working with Network Rail to put alternative travel arrangements in place. ScotRail will operate replacement buses between Aberdeen and Dundee, Aberdeen and Montrose, Inverurie and Aberdeen, and Dyce and Aberdeen. CrossCountry will run rail replacement buses between Dundee and Aberdeen. LNER services between London Kings Cross and Aberdeen will instead operate between London Kings Cross and Dundee only, with replacement buses running from Dundee to Aberdeen via Arbroath, Montrose and Stonehaven.

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said:

“Carrying out this work over a small number of weekends lets us make substantial improvements while keeping disruption to a minimum. By renewing key sections at the station, we’re building in resilience that will support more reliable and smoother journeys. I’d like to thank customers for their patience while we complete this essential upgrade. Our teams will be working intensively throughout each weekend to reopen the station on time for customers.”

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said:

“Aberdeen station is a key gateway for the northeast of Scotland, supporting thousands of journeys every day and connecting communities across the region and beyond. The £8m redevelopment of Aberdeen station in 2022 delivered major improvements for customers and strengthened the station’s role as a key transport interchange. Continued investment in essential track and infrastructure upgrades will help improve performance and provide more reliable journeys. While this essential work takes place, we know there will be disruption to journeys, and we’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding. Our focus is on minimising the impact on customers and ensuring they have the information and alternative travel options they need to continue travelling with confidence.”

Image: Network Rail