Only six companies have announced their intention to run limited services. The London Overground, MerseyRail, Northern, ScotRail, Southern and the Stansted Express have all announced limited services – with the Stansted Express operating between Tottenham Hale and the airport only. During the previous Labour Government, the Conservative Party took aim at the lack of trains available on Boxing Day, even vowing to have more on should the party be voted into power.

       Now, more than a decade later, there still remains a large number of operators who will shut down on the day.

       National Rail, who will not run services on Boxing Day, announced they would be carrying out 370 engineering projects instead.

       Andrew Haines, Network Rail’s chief executive, said: “While some essential works are taking place to upgrade our railway over the festive period, we’ve worked hard with train operators to reduce the impact on passengers as much as possible so that they can spend time with their families and friends this Christmas.”

       The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, spoke of the work that companies all across the UK were doing on Boxing Day.

       They said: “Rail companies will be doing all they can to help people travel with confidence ahead of the festive period and we encourage passengers to check before they travel.

       “There’s never a good time to carry out work to improve the railway but far fewer people travel over the Christmas period than on a normal weekday, so thousands of our colleagues will be out working hard this holiday to make journeys better for the future, which will support the country’s recovery.”

       Boxing Day is notoriously a busy day not only for shoppers but also for football fans.

       For shoppers, the draw of excellent deals on the high street brings many people out of their homes and into the retailers to see what they have on offer.

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       But for football fans, a full schedule of games always provides entertainment on such a day.

       92 Premier League and Football League teams are all set to compete – a tradition each year in the calendar.

       This makes it one of the busiest days of the year in the football world.

       But Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director at East Midlands Railway, told customers to plan ahead on certain dates over the Christmas period.

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       “Any passengers planning on travelling between Monday December 27 and Tuesday January 4 are advised to check our website and plan their journey in advance, as we will be running a reduced EMR Intercity service to and from London St Pancras.

       “We would like to thank passengers for their patience whilst this crucial engineering works are taking place.”

       Gary Walsh, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, added: “As most people open their presents and enjoy the festivities, our teams will be taking the opportunity to make major progress on the final stages of this programme.

       “The current slab track has served this busy line well for forty years, but we’re replacing it now to make sure trains can continue running safely and reliably for years to come.

       “We can only complete this work safely when a reduced train service is running.

       “I want to thank passengers for their continued patience and ask anyone who plans to travel over the Christmas period to check their journey, plan ahead and allow plenty of time.”