Network Rail announced the reopening of the railway between London and Scotland via the West Midlands after upgrades were made successfully over the Easter weekend. Network Rail had their engineers, or the so-called orange army working flat out on a number of different upgrade project over the Easter weekend. The improvements that were made include track renewals and infrastructure upgrades as well as bridge replacements.

In order to create a better and more reliable railway upgrades were made to the Ordsall Chord development in Manchester as well as track renewal along the West Coast main line. These track renewals occurred through the Northchurch Tunnel which is near Berkhamsted. The Easter weekend also allowed a significant step forward for the project in Albrighton, where a railway bridge is being replaced. The Albrighton Station still remains closed as planned for the replacement works. Network Rail also carried out embankment improvements in Watford and the removal of the cattle creep between Buxton and Stockport. The cattle creep used to allow cows to walk under the railway between the two stations. There has also been track renewal in between Preston and Carlisle along the West Coast main line.

The work that has taken place over the Easter period is part of the Railway Upgrade plan that is still continuing. The Plan is expected to be finished by 2019, and it is thought that the upgrades will allow for more trains and a more reliable train service for passengers. Passenger numbers on the railway has doubled over the course of the last 20 years and it is thought that they will double again in the next 25 years.

Carrying out the work over bank holidays like Easter, it is thought that the least disruption will be caused to the railway services. However, some services are being disrupted because of the work taking place, Network Rail has also thanked their passengers for their understanding as the work takes place.