Trains return to Gasworks Tunnel’s eastern portal

The first revenue train to run through the recently dormant third bore of Gasworks Tunnel for 40 years arrived at King’s Cross station at 07.01 on 26 April. LNER's 04.40 York-King's Cross was formed of Hitachi Class 801 electric multiple unit No 801205.

Opening of the tunnel marks a major milestone in the project to increase capacity and remodel the approach to the London terminus, with platforms 0-6 reopened for passengers and platforms 7-11 now receiving attention. The project is part of the £1.2 billion East Coast Main Line upgrade, which also includes the Werrington dive-under near Peterborough, a new platform at Stevenage which opened in August 2020 and power supply upgrades to cater for LNER’s Intercity Express Train fleet.

The next planned closures at King’s Cross take place on 4 June to 6 June, with a full timetable finally resuming the day after.