THE ‘open access’ train operating company Grand Central is to introduce its eighth service linking the Durham Coast, North Yorkshire and London from Monday 17 August.

Tom Clift, Managing Director of Grand Central Railway, said: “These additional weekday services open up an increased range of travel opportunities for both business and leisure rail travellers along our route.”

Grand Central said that to prepare for the launch of the new service the company had acquired additional rolling stock and over recent months had been preparing the Class 180 trains for service and undertaking crew training and mileage accumulation. This has culminated in the launch from 17 August of the additional service on the route along the Durham Coast and through North Yorkshire to and from and London.

The times of the additional train services, Mondays to Fridays (slightly different times on Saturdays) are:

Southbound - Depart Sunderland 09:18, Hartlepool 09:42, Eaglescliffe 10:01, Northallerton 10:19, Thirsk 10:28, York 10:52 and arrive London Kings Cross 12:50

Northbound - Depart London Kings Cross 19:18, York 21:21, Thirsk 21:39, Northallerton 21:50, Eaglescliffe 22:10, Hartlepool 22:29 and arrive Sunderland 2254.