From time to time, planned engineering works close parts of the railway, and where trains can’t run the train company usually puts on rail replacement buses or coaches. The lists below show the works National Rail has published for this weekend and the four weeks after, grouped by train company. Your train ticket is valid on the replacement bus, but you need to buy it before boarding, full-size bikes aren’t allowed, and the journey normally takes longer than the train.
Are there engineering works this weekend?
Each train company has its own heading, and each line gives the routes affected, the times and a link to National Rail’s notice, which lists the replacement bus stops. If the list is empty, National Rail has no planned engineering works listed for this weekend.
No confirmed disruption data right now. Check National Rail Enquiries for the latest.
What engineering works are coming up in the next four weeks?
These are the works National Rail has published for the four weeks after this weekend. Works further ahead can still be added, and dates sometimes change, so check again a few days before you travel.
No confirmed disruption data right now. Check National Rail Enquiries for the latest.
Many train companies also publish their own engineering calendar, which can include more local detail. South Western Railway’s planned engineering works calendar is one example. For the full official list, use National Rail’s status and disruptions page.
Is my ticket valid on a rail replacement bus?
Yes. A replacement bus stands in for the train, so the ticket for your train journey covers it and you don’t pay any extra. The catch is that you need the ticket before you get on: National Rail says you need a valid train ticket to board a rail replacement service, and Southeastern, GWR and Northern say the same. GWR adds that you still buy a train ticket as normal when your journey includes a replacement bus. Buy it at the station, online or in an app before you go to the bus stop.
Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel (condition 27.5), the usual conditions still apply on replacement services, so your ticket’s normal restrictions don’t disappear.
How much longer will the replacement bus take?
Expect it to take longer than the train. The National Rail Conditions of Travel say replacement buses and coaches usually take longer than the scheduled train, and National Rail says a different timetable applies. Southeastern advises allowing extra time because traffic and road closures can hold buses up, and Northern says a replacement journey usually takes longer than the train. Use a journey planner rather than the normal train timetable: when works are planned, your train company has to show the extended times in its timetable information (condition 27.1).
Leave time to find the bus as well. National Rail says replacement services may stop at a bus stop or meeting point near the station rather than outside it, for example where a double-decker can’t reach the station. Look for signs at the station, the onward travel poster, or the “Transport Links” section of the station’s page on National Rail. Replacement vehicles display their destination, the train company name and “RAIL REPLACEMENT”.
Can I take luggage, bikes, pushchairs or a dog on a replacement bus?
Space is tighter than on a train, and the rules vary by train company. The Conditions of Travel (condition 27.1) allow the railway to refuse some luggage, animals and bikes on replacement services.
| Item | National Rail’s general position | What some train companies say |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size bike | Not allowed on buses or coaches | GWR, Northern and Southeastern: not allowed |
| Folding bike | May be accepted if there’s room, driver’s choice | GWR: fold before boarding; Northern: driver’s choice |
| Pushchair or pram | Not covered; check the train company | GWR: fold before boarding; Northern: no non-folding pushchairs; Southeastern: fold where possible |
| Large luggage | Buses have a small luggage area; coaches have more | GWR: nothing larger than 30 x 70 x 90cm, no surfboards or e-scooters |
| Dogs | Assistance dogs always allowed | GWR and Northern: other animals at the driver’s discretion; Southeastern: guide dogs only |
National Rail also says alcohol can’t be drunk on replacement buses or coaches, that catering on board may not be practical, and that coaches may have a toilet.
If the replacement is arranged at short notice and the bus can’t take your luggage, animal or bike, condition 27.2 entitles you to a full refund with no admin fee if you decide not to travel.
Are rail replacement buses accessible?
National Rail says buses usually have a rear-facing wheelchair space without restraints, coaches may have a forward-facing space with restraints, and train companies may provide a wheelchair accessible taxi or minibus instead. Disabled passengers may be offered a taxi, minibus, bus, coach or a diverted route, depending on what is available. GWR and Northern say all their replacement buses and coaches are wheelchair accessible. Northern adds that wheelchairs must be no wider than 600mm and no longer than 1,000mm, and that it can arrange another vehicle if the spaces are full.
Staff help is only available at stations that are normally staffed, not at roadside stops away from the station. If you need help, book Passenger Assist in advance and tell them your journey involves a replacement bus.
Can I claim Delay Repay on a replacement bus?
Yes, if the bus makes you late compared with the amended timetable. Condition 27.4 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel measures your delay from the arrival time in the timetable in place on the day you travel. When works are planned, that is the published replacement timetable, so the extra time the bus was always expected to take doesn’t count as a delay. National Rail says that if a replacement service runs significantly late against its own timetable, you can claim in the usual way, and GWR says it pays when your arrival is 15 minutes or more late because of its train or replacement bus.
When you claim, give the timetabled departure time of the train you meant to catch (condition 27.3). The usual 28-day time limit applies. Our Delay Repay guide has each train company’s threshold and claim form.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay extra for a rail replacement bus?
No. Your train ticket covers the replacement bus for the same journey. You do need a valid ticket before you board, as National Rail and the train companies say, so buy it at the station, online or in an app first.
Can I take a bike on a rail replacement bus?
Not a full-size bike. National Rail says non-folding bikes can't go on replacement buses or coaches. A folded bike may be accepted if there's room, at the driver's discretion.
Can I take a pushchair on a replacement bus?
Usually, if it folds. GWR and Northern say pushchairs and prams must be folded, and Northern won't carry non-folding ones. Southeastern asks for them to be folded where possible. Check your train company's page before you travel.
Do rail replacement buses stop at every station?
Not always. Buses run to their own timetable and may skip stations or stop near a station rather than at it. Southeastern says its buses only call at designated replacement stops and can't stop on request. Check the stops in the journey planner or the National Rail notice.
Are rail replacement buses wheelchair accessible?
Buses usually have a wheelchair space, and coaches may have a lift. GWR and Northern say all their replacement buses and coaches are wheelchair accessible. If you can't use the vehicle, ask Passenger Assist or station staff and the operator can arrange an accessible taxi.
How far ahead are engineering works announced?
Major planned works are normally published weeks ahead and then appear in journey planners. Our list covers this weekend and the following four weeks from National Rail's planned disruption data.
Can I bring my dog on a rail replacement bus?
Assistance dogs are always allowed. Other dogs depend on the train company: GWR and Northern leave it to the driver, while Southeastern only allows guide dogs.
Sources
- National Rail Enquiries - Rail replacement services
- National Rail Conditions of Travel (from 30 July 2026)
- National Rail Enquiries - Compensation and refunds
- GWR - Rail replacement bus
- Northern - Rail replacement services
- Southeastern - Rail replacement bus services
- South Western Railway - Planned engineering works calendar
Checked 25 October 2026.