Some of the world’s most scenic railways are right here in the UK. From the notoriously gorgeous Highland lines that traverse UNESCO World Heritage sites, to the tiny St Ives Bay line which offers gorgeous views of the Cornish coastline, we’re pretty lucky when it comes to views out of the window.
One of Britain’s most scenery-tastic lines will soon be opening up to more passengers. The 73-mile stretch runs between Carlisle and Settle through the Yorkshire Dale, the North Pennines, even going over the towering Ribblehead viaduct. It’s one of the most stunning lines in the country, but it is usually only used by Northern Rail, limiting the number of people who use it.
At the start of 2026, however, more passengers than usual will have the chance to enjoy the Yorkshire views as Avanti West Coast runs diverted trains on the route for the first time in a decade. This is because the West Coast Mainline, which the company usually operates on, will be partly closed between Preston and Carlisle due to works on the line.
Clifton Bridge, a small motorway train overpass, is the reason for this disruption. It’s getting pretty old, and can only carry one train at a time which leads to frequent delays. Network Rail is putting £60m into upgrading it in the first two weeks of 2026.
The Avanti diversion will only act as a shuttle between Preston and Carlisle, and Network Rail is encouraging anyone wishing to go to Scotland from London, Birmingham, or Manchester should use a different operator on the East Coast Main Line. The diversion will also mean that customers can just stay on the train as normal instead of having to transfer to every traveller’s worst nightmare: a rail replacement bus. Plus, it’ll be much more scenic than a coach trip down the M6.
A representative for Network Rail said that Avanti trains utilising the alternative route is ‘a testament to our collaboration’, adding that ‘it is fantastic to be able to offer passengers a viable route around the work, with as little delay to their journey as possible, while we carry out the main part of this essential upgrade’.
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