Aberdeen Station: Major Track Renewal to Close Services

Aberdeen Station closes for three weekends for a major track renewal, replacing 1.5 miles of rail. This upgrade boosts reliability for ScotRail, LNER, and CrossCountry passengers.

Aberdeen Station: Major Track Renewal to Close Services
February 2, 2026 11:39 am
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🛑 Key Takeaways:
  • Aberdeen Station will close to all passenger trains for three consecutive weekends for a major track renewal project.
  • The project will replace nearly 1.5 miles of rail, 1,500 sleepers, and 4,500 tonnes of ballast across four platforms.
  • The shutdown affects ScotRail, CrossCountry, and LNER services, necessitating extensive rail replacement bus operations to maintain regional connectivity.

ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND – Network Rail will close Aberdeen Station to passenger services over three weekends, beginning January 31, to execute a comprehensive track and infrastructure upgrade. The project targets platforms 3, 4, 6, and 7, renewing key components to improve operational resilience at the primary rail gateway for northeast Scotland.

CategorySpecification / Detail
ProjectAberdeen Station Track Renewal
LocationAberdeen Station, Platforms 3, 4, 6, 7
Material Volume~1.5 miles of rail, 1,500 sleepers, 4,500 tonnes of ballast
Affected OperatorsScotRail, CrossCountry, LNER
Closure DatesJan 31-Feb 1, Feb 7-8, Feb 15-16
Primary ObjectiveImprove infrastructure reliability and journey performance

Operational & Technical Details

Engineering teams will conduct a full replacement of track components. This includes sections of rail, sleepers, and the ballast foundation. In total, nearly 1.5 miles of rail will be renewed. The work requires approximately 1,500 new sleepers and 4,500 tonnes of fresh ballast. Additionally, equipment that facilitates train movements between lines will be upgraded. The work is scheduled intensively over weekends to minimize overall disruption.

Market Impact Analysis

This investment reinforces the strategic importance of Aberdeen as a regional transport hub. By renewing aging infrastructure, Network Rail aims to reduce the likelihood of future unplanned service disruptions caused by track faults. For operators like ScotRail, LNER, and CrossCountry, the upgrade translates to a more reliable asset, potentially improving punctuality and reducing operational costs associated with delays. While the short-term closures will impact passenger journeys and require costly replacement services, the long-term benefit is enhanced network resilience, which supports both passenger and potential freight traffic growth in the region.

📅 Originally Published: December 2025
For context on the recent developments, we previously reported on PKP Intercity’s record passenger numbers and their historic deal with Alstom.

➤ Read More: PKP Intercity: Record Passengers & Historic Alstom Fleet Deal


FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the main purpose of this project?

The project aims to improve railway reliability and build resilience into the network by renewing essential track infrastructure, supporting smoother and more dependable journeys.

When will the station be closed?

Aberdeen station will be closed to passenger trains on Saturday 31 January – Sunday 1 February, Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 February, and Sunday 15 – Monday 16 February.