Rail passengers will soon benefit from faster and more frequent journeys between Edinburgh and London under new guidelines which will also see the reintroduction of a 'Flying Scotsman' service. The East Coast Main Line is also set to get a boost from station improvements, after the UK Government set out a series of standards it expects bidders for the line to meet.

Westminster Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis made the announcement on Thursday as firms prepared to compete to take over services between the two capital cities. He unveiled a proposed new timetable, to be introduced in May 2011, which will boast 10% more trains into King's Cross during the morning peak, most with faster journey times.