Upcoming rail line closures to affect two weekends and Monday journeys

Thursday 17 September 2026

Passengers travelling between Derry–Londonderry and Coleraine face replacement buses over the next two weekends and both following Mondays as essential railway maintenance takes place.

Early morning trains on the two following Tuesdays will also be affected. Translink is urging passengers to allow extra journey time and check services before setting off.

For Ballymena passengers, trains on the Coleraine–Belfast Grand Central route will continue to operate normally, but anyone travelling onwards from Coleraine towards Derry–Londonderry should plan for the changes.

Closure dates and replacement buses

Engineering works will take place on Saturday 19, Sunday 20 and Monday 21 September, and again on Saturday 26, Sunday 27 and Monday 28 September.

There will also be changes to early morning rail services on Tuesday 22 and Tuesday 29 September.

Rail replacement buses will operate between Derry–Londonderry and Coleraine during the affected periods. Valid rail tickets will also be accepted on appropriate scheduled bus services.

Monday passengers urged to plan ahead

John Glass, Translink Director of Infrastructure and Projects, said:

“We know these works will affect some journeys, particularly on the two Mondays, and we’d encourage customers to plan ahead and check service information before travelling.

”While no disruption is ever welcome, these works are essential to maintaining the safety and reliability of the railway. By completing several activities during the same closure periods, we can minimise the need for future disruption.“

Translink says the maintenance and improvement programme is designed to keep the line safe, reliable and resilient, with several activities being carried out during the same closures to reduce disruption at other times.

Travel advice for Belfast City Half Marathon

Passengers travelling from Derry–Londonderry to Belfast for the Belfast City Half Marathon on Sunday 20 September are advised to use the 06:00 212 bus service from Foyle Street Buscentre.

The service is scheduled to arrive at Belfast Grand Central Station at 08:00. Scheduled services will then be available to Lanyon Place.

Other rail routes operating normally

Services between Coleraine and Belfast Grand Central Station will run as normal, with no impact on trains between Coleraine and Portrush. Bangor, Larne, Portadown and cross-border rail services will also operate normally.

Before travelling, passengers should check the Translink Journey Planner app, visit www.translink.co.uk or call 028 9066 6630 for the latest arrangements. Updates will also be available through Translink’s social media channels.