You need to check your route before heading to the station today. Northern Railway has confirmed three major active disruptions across their network due to landslips, defective tracks, and urgent bridge repairs.
If your train is delayed or cancelled, you are legally entitled to use alternative transport or claim full compensation.
Summary of Active Route Disruptions
Here is the direct breakdown of every ongoing network issue, why it is happening, and when engineers expect to fix it.
| Affected Route | Direct Cause | Passenger Impact | Estimated End Date |
| Carlisle – Hexham – Newcastle | Major landslip | Full train cancellations | September 15 (13:00) |
| Scarborough – Bridlington – Hull | Defective track limits | 30-minute delays, cancellations | September 22 (23:59) |
| Saltburn – Darlington – Bishop Auckland | Urgent bridge repairs | Trains skipping South Bank station | December 31 (16:00) |
1. Carlisle to Newcastle Line Blocked (Middlesbrough and Hartlepool)
A sudden landslip near Billingham has completely blocked all lines between Middlesbrough and Hartlepool in both directions. Network Rail staff are currently on-site conducting emergency safety inspections of the track.
What you need to know:
- Trains running between Carlisle, Hexham, and Newcastle are facing sudden cancellations.
- Services like the 09:33 from Carlisle are terminating early at Hartlepool and skipping Stockton, Thornaby, and Middlesbrough.
- Northern has completely lifted ticket restrictions. You can use Advance and Peak tickets on alternative routes.
How to complete your journey:
You can travel on the following alternative operators at absolutely no extra cost:
- TransPennine Express: Use this for travel between Middlesbrough and Northallerton.
- LNER: Use this for travel between Northallerton and Newcastle.
- Tyne & Wear Metro: Use this for connections between Newcastle and Sunderland.
2. Scarborough to Hull Track Defects
A severe speed restriction is currently in place over a section of defective track on the Scarborough to Hull line. Northern has introduced a temporary amended timetable to manage the slower train speeds safely.
What you need to know:
- Any train running through Scarborough, Bridlington, or Hull faces immediate delays of up to 30 minutes.
- Some scheduled services will be completely cancelled or heavily revised to prevent bottlenecking on the tracks.
- This specific disruption will last for the next seven days, ending late on September 22.
3. South Bank Station Closure (Saltburn Line)
Engineers are conducting urgent, long-term repairs to a railway bridge on the Saltburn – Darlington – Bishop Auckland route.
What you need to know:
- Trains are currently running non-stop between Middlesbrough and Redcar Central.
- South Bank station is not being served at all. Do not wait on the platform at South Bank, as trains will pass straight through.
- This is a major structural repair. The station closure will last until December 31.
What to Do When Train Ticket Machines Stop Working
You must immediately locate the train conductor as soon as you board the train. If the station ticket office is closed and the electronic machines are completely broken, you are legally allowed to board without a physical ticket.
Do not sit down and wait for the conductor to walk through the carriages. Walk directly to them, explain the situation, and purchase your ticket on the spot. Train staff receive live network updates and already know which station machines are currently offline.
Will You Get Fined for Boarding Without a Ticket?
You will not receive a penalty fare if every machine at your departure station is genuinely out of order. However, if there is a working machine or open ticket office and you ignore it, you face an immediate £100 fine plus the cost of your journey.
The Department for Transport strictly enforces penalty fares across all UK railway networks. Inspectors show zero tolerance for fare evasion, even if you claim you were rushing to catch your train. Always take a quick photo of the broken machine screen on your mobile phone to use as solid proof in case you are challenged later.
Steps to Take If the Station is Completely Unstaffed
Follow these specific steps if you arrive at an empty station with broken machines:
- Look for a permit machine: These small secondary machines issue free boarding permits to prove your starting station.
- Take photo evidence: Snap a clear picture of the broken screen displaying the error message.
- Board the train directly: Step on board but do not sit down in the nearest empty seat.
- Locate the conductor: Walk through the train carriages immediately to find the guard and pay your fare directly.
How to Claim Your Delay Repay Compensation
You must claim compensation if your journey is delayed by 15 minutes or more due to any of these track issues.
Do not throw away your physical ticket. Go directly to the Northern Railway Delay Repay web page and submit a clear photo of your ticket. If your train was completely cancelled and you chose not to travel, you are entitled to a 100% refund of your ticket price.
