The summer timetable came into effect nationally on Sunday 17th May 2026.  There is little change for the EMR Intercity service.  The May 2026 timetable can be obtained from EMR’s website here: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/media/5762/download?inline

On various weekends in 2026, engineering work means that the main line south of Bedford is closed. 
EMR trains terminate there, with connecting rail replacement buses to and from Hitchin and onward trains between there and Kings Cross.
EMR Intercity trains operate hourly in each direction between Bedford and Nottingham, calling at Market Harborough, and hourly between Bedford and Sheffield via Derby, not stopping at Market Harborough.
This has meant that our services are cut by half to hourly on these weekends.
We in Harborough Rail Users approached EMR querying whether there is sufficient demand to justify hourly non-stop trains between Leicester and Bedford when the line into London is closed.  We suggested that these trains would be more useful if they stopped at Market Harborough and Kettering as well, restoring a half-hourly service from our station.  
To our delight, EMR contacted us on 7th May to say that they would do just that!  Too short notice for the weekend of 9th – 10th May but in place for the weekends of 20th – 21st June and 27th – 28th June.  
We are grateful to EMR for listening to our proposal, giving it due consideration and putting it into effect.

Each year, EMR and Network Rail have a Community Action Day, when members of their staff are given the opportunity to take a break from the day job and do some community work instead.  On 6th May 2026, this meant coming to Market Harborough station to help Market Harborough in Bloom Volunteers in a working party at the station. 
Market Harborough in Bloom are the officially designated ‘Station Adopters’ and do a sterling job maintaining the planting boxes at various locations around the station.  This helps greatly in softening the rather functional platforms and making the station a colourful and welcoming gateway to the town. 
The tasks this year included replenishing some of the planting boxes alongside the emergency exit path behind Platform 2 and weeding the gravel areas and by various walls.  Harborough Rail Users were also represented.  We are grateful to everyone involved in this work to enhance the appearance of the station.