Grand Central Railway is to introduce its eighth service linking Sunderland, Durham Coast, North Yorkshire and London starting today.

In preperation for the launch the company had been preparing Class 180 trains, which are a departure from the refurbished High Speed Trains in their distinctive black livery that are used on the companies other services.

The train times at present are (Monday to Fridays)

Southbound: Depart Sunderland 9:18 a.m., Hartlepool 9:42, Eaglescliffe 10:01, Northallerton 10:19, Thirsk 10:28, York 10:52 and arrive London Kings Cross 12:50 p.m.

Northbound: Depart London Kings Cross 7:18 p.m., York 9:21, Thirsk 9:39, Northallerton 9:50, Eaglescliffe 10:10, Hartlepool 10:29 and arrive Sunderland 10:54.

Weekend train times are slightly different.