West of England line improvements

Easter weekend track upgrades

Train approaching Honiton tunnel

What did we do?

Over the Easter weekend, Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April 2026, Network Rail engineers returned to the West of England line to carry out track upgrades.

What was involved?

Engineers replaced the stretch of track on the West of England Line that runs through Seaton Junction, to the west of Axminster station. This involved installing 805 metres of new track and replacing 206 worn sleepers. Once the track had been installed, a tamper machine was brought in to ensure the track is in its optimal alignment to allow services to run smoothly over the line.

Why was the work needed?

The track through Seaton Junction had reached the end of its natural life and this renewal will ensure customers have a smoother and more reliable journey.

We thank you for your patience as we improve the West of England line.

Get in touch

For more information or to get in touch with us, please visit our contact us page, follow us on X (formally known as Twitter) or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

Previous work