East Midlands Railway trains, routes and tickets
East Midlands Railway, usually shortened to EMR, operates Intercity, Connect and Regional services. The network combines London journeys from the East Midlands with routes across central and eastern England. Check which part of EMR’s network the journey uses, because trains, calling patterns and reservation arrangements differ between these service groups.
Reviewed 6 November 2026.
About the operator
EMR is the current brand for services formerly marketed as East Midlands Trains. Its present three-part network is a useful guide to the different journey types: Intercity for the main London corridor, Connect for the Corby route, and Regional for the wider network of towns and cities.
National Rail continues to list East Midlands Railway as a current train company. Fleet replacement and refurbishment are continuing programmes. The train used on a particular departure can therefore differ from an older description of the route, making the current journey information the better planning reference.
Routes and principal stations
Intercity to London
The Intercity corridor links London St Pancras International with key East Midlands and Yorkshire destinations. St Pancras is the London station to select; it is distinct from the neighbouring King’s Cross terminal despite the shared Underground interchange.
EMR Connect
Connect serves the Corby corridor through Kettering, Wellingborough and Bedford towards London. Airport passengers should check the complete itinerary to the terminal, including the onward connection from Luton Airport Parkway where appropriate.
Regional network
Regional routes link the East Midlands with places including Liverpool, Manchester, Crewe, Lincolnshire and East Anglia. These are several distinct corridors; the station examples indicate the network’s reach rather than one continuous all-stations service.
Planning your journey
Choose the destination station rather than a broad airport or city name when you know where you need to go. East Midlands Parkway is a railway station, not an airport terminal; verify the onward connection separately and allow for it in the total travel time.
For a journey crossing the region, compare the Regional timetable with alternatives using another operator. A through service may be convenient, but an interchange at Nottingham, Sheffield, Peterborough or Ely can sometimes offer a different practical route.
Check the service’s reservation and luggage information before a long trip. EMR explains that Regional trains do not have the same seat-reservation arrangements as its other services. A reserved wheelchair space is a separate matter from reserving an accompanying passenger’s seat.
Tickets and journey choices
Tickets can have operator, route and time restrictions. Compare the full conditions when choosing between EMR and another company on an overlapping route. An advertised journey from London should also be checked for the correct terminal and any required connection, rather than assuming the booking is for a single train.
Accessibility and assistance
EMR’s Assisted Travel service can arrange help and advises booking ahead where possible while also offering help on the day. Use its accessibility maps and station pages to check the intended platforms. Discuss wheelchair accommodation and a companion’s seating together, especially on Regional services without ordinary seat reservations.
Sources and further information
Use the current operator's information to check the latest timetable, disruption and assistance arrangements for your travel date.