Scottish Electrification updates & discussion

[Altnabreac]

Without getting too political, any speculation past what is currently planned is subject to changes in government. I really think bi-modes will figure hugely in Scotrails long term future and whilst electrification may reach the North of the country, I believe it will need to have its costs reduced and large jobs such as the Forth bridge/South Fife tunnels/Moncrieff tunnel/Tay bridge/Maryhill canal tunnels etc will never see wires installed and instead the gaps will be bridged using bimode technology.

I tend to think politics is why the wiring will happen in Scotland. It's unlikely based on current polling that any single party will be getting a majority at the next Holyrood election. So whoever takes power will be dependent on minor party support. Scottish Green Party are strongly in favour of rail investment in general and electrification in particular so they won't be signing off a budget that drops electrification schemes.

SNP and Conservatives are both fighting hard for votes in the north east and Rail access to Aberdeen will be a political issue. Electrification to Aberdeen has a political message above and beyond it's practical application which is why I tend to think that Dundee - Aberdeen could see wires before Fife does (it's also about half the stkm).

Labour are probably the party with least current interest in the Aberdeen area so they could be less keen on it but I'd think if Labour were looking for a capital saving in the north east they'd be much more likely to drop something like the central section of the A96 duelling which has a higher capital cost and is in a much more marginal area of Moray / Banffshire where Labour have virtually no presence.

So politically I tend to see more wiring as a politically difficult budget saving compared to other schemes.

 

[Altnabreac]

Which ones haven't? EGIP was both massively overbudget, late and descoped from original. The Cumbernauld electrification was overbudget and still isn't fully commissioned. The A2I and HML projects are both overbudget from original costings. Probably easier to cover those you think have some in on time and budget?

Most of those overruns aren't electrification overruns though.

Things like the EGIP "descoping" were actually a very deliberate decision to go down a different route of extending trains rather than increasing frequency.

There have obviously been issues with the revised standards but there have been several schemes like Shotts, Whifflet, Paisley Canal where the electrification has gone pretty smoothly. Generally there is still political support for wiring and there unlikely to be any domestic Scotrail hybrid trains in Scotland until the HSTs retire so hybrids really aren't a short term plan.

 

[clc]

I don't see any appetite from Transport Scotland to cut back on the rolling programme of electrification. As the costs rise the single track kilometres per year delivered may fall but I strongly suspect electrification will remain a policy aim of Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government.

CP5 will probably be the high water mark for electrification in Scotland. However, even if they are only 60% as ambitious in CP6 that would still be 300 stkm of electrification, which would be enough to do East Kilbride, Barrhead/Kilmarnock, Maryhill, Dunblane-Dundee and Edinburgh South Sub. I’d be happy with that.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Have any electric passenger services run on the E&G yet?
If so, I'm surprised there hasn't been some sort of flag waving.

 

[Railsigns]

Have any electric passenger services run on the E&G yet?

Yes; they started on Sunday.

 

[47271]

Have any electric passenger services run on the E&G yet?
If so, I'm surprised there hasn't been some sort of flag waving.

Not a huge amount to wave a flag about. The 385s aren't ready so they're operating an hourly service with seven coach 380s borrowed from other routes, the rest are diesel until well into next year.

 

[najaB]

Not a huge amount to wave a flag about.

Network Rail can wave a flag to say "Route open." and Scotrail can wave a flag about "Trains in testing." It might be delayed but it's still progress nonetheless.

 

[DuncanS]

I'm hearing that the plan for the major work at Stirling, Springbank Road (between the Craigs Roundabout and Kerse Road) is now coming together, with something sane thrashed out between Stirling Council and Network Rail. The council rather freaked out with how long the project team originally wanted to close the road for, understandably.

That was sorted out months ago - we received notification of all of the closure dates from Network Rail back then (as we're supposedly impacted by the closure). The footbridge has been in place for a couple of weeks and its all systems go in the new year.

 

[jopsuk]

There was a press release about the electric trains issued Friday, Scotrail and Network Rail were tweeting about the first trains on Sunday morning.

 

[Stopper]

They can’t go their full speed due to the diesels still being on the line can they? In terms of capacity The 380s are a small improvement (about 60 extra seats) but there is still a lot of standing on the peak time services when I get on in the morning. An 8-car 385 would be an improvement of 152 seats to the 6-car 170s, which would certainly help a lot to reducing the standing.

 

[Altnabreac]

They can’t go their full speed due to the diesels still being on the line can they? In terms of capacity The 380s are a small improvement (about 60 extra seats) but there is still a lot of standing on the peak time services when I get on in the morning. An 8-car 385 would be an improvement of 152 seats to the 6-car 170s, which would certainly help a lot to reducing the standing.

Remember the 385s won't be able to run regularly as 8 cars until Queen St redevelopment is complete so that's a wee while off yet.

 

[route101]

Wonder what a Bi Mode for EK services would be ? Its only wired till muirhouse junction !
I can see EK going 3x an Hour though fast services are not really fast on this line .
Makes sense to wire the Maryhill line though its a quieter line .

 

[Altnabreac]

Wonder what a Bi Mode for EK services would be ? Its only wired till muirhouse junction !
I can see EK going 3x an Hour though fast services are not really fast on this line .
Makes sense to wire the Maryhill line though its a quieter line .

Could see Bi Modes being used on Scotrail 10 years from now for:
Edinburgh / Glasgow - Inverness (north of Perth)
Edinburgh - Aberdeen (Dalmeny - Dundee)
Glasgow - Carlisle (south of Kilmarnock)

Possibly also on Aberdeen - Inverness services as part of a single Intercity bi-mode new stock order though perhaps only using the wires on Aberdeen - Inverurie.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Yes; they started on Sunday.

Some pics for anyone interested:
https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/62/76/
https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/62/81/
https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/62/82/
https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/62/83/

 

[snowball]

Press release:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/network-rail-awards-11-6m-shotts-line-electrification-contract/

Network Rail today (Wednesday December 13) announced that Carillion Powerlines Ltd has won a further contract to deliver work on the electrification of the Shotts line between Holytown Junction and Midcalder Junction.

Network Rail today (Wednesday December 13) announced that Carillion Powerlines Ltd has won a further contract to deliver work on the electrification of the Shotts line between Holytown Junction and Midcalder Junction.

The £11.6m contract will deliver enhancements to stations to support the electrification of 74km of railway as part of a wider £160m Scottish Government investment in the line between Scotland’s two largest cities which will see the route electrified by March 2019.

The activity within nine stations on the route includes platform reconstructions and renewals and enhancements to lighting, CCTV and customer information systems. Two stations; at Livingston South and Breich, will be completely rebuilt with platforms extended at Carfin, Shotts and West Calder to enable the introduction of longer trains on the route. Work on the stations element of the project is due to complete in autumn 2018.

The electrification of the line will enable the introduction of a new fleet of electric trains on services between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central via Shotts with the new Hitachi class 385 rolling stock offering improved reliability and increased capacity for passengers.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said:

“The Scottish Government’s funding of the Shotts Line electrification and our overall £5billion package of investment in our railway, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to improving the Scottish rail network.

“This work contributes to the transformation of services across the central belt as part of the wider package of investment to enhance rail travel between the country’s two biggest cities, meaning passengers will see shorter journey times, increased capacity and better reliability.”

Iain McFarlane, route delivery director for Network Rail, said: “This contract is another step forward for the delivery of the Shotts electrification project and further underlines our commitment to investing in and enhancing our infrastructure as part of our UK-wide railway upgrade plan.

“Electrification of the line across North Lanarkshire and West Lothian coupled with improvements at stations will transform the journey experience for rail passengers who will enjoy the benefits of improved services for many years to come.

“Throughout this project we will work closely with contractors, train operators and other stakeholders to deliver in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible while minimising disruption for both lineside communities and passengers.”

Martin C Smith, Managing Director Carillon Powerlines said “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract to electrify the Shotts line across central Scotland and we look forward to working with the project team to enhance the railway network.

“This award reflects the depth of experience we can demonstrate in delivering infrastructure enhancements in a railway environment and will further enhance the relationship we have developed with Network Rail.”

Note that this includes "complete rebuilding" of Breich (and Livingston South).

While we're at it, another recent press release that I didn't get round to posting at the time:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/access-improvements-planned-for-stirling-station/

Network Rail will shortly submit a planning application for work at Stirling station, including creating step-free access to all platforms.

The planned enhancements will be delivered as part of the Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa (SDA) Electrification Project.

The electrification work, which includes the electrification of the railway through Stirling station, has also provided Network Rail and Transport Scotland with the opportunity to improve access arrangements, particularly to platform 9.

The scope of the works includes:
• Platform works
• Electrification of all lines passing through the station
• Canopy alterations
• Alterations to the two footbridges within the station.

Step-free access will be created by replacing the footbridge between platforms 6 & 9 with a fully accessible structure. The height of the existing footbridge between platforms 2 & 3 will also be raised.

Timescales for the work are subject to securing the required permissions, but would be expected to be completed in 2019.

Iain McFarlane, route delivery director for Network Rail, said: “The current access arrangements at Stirling station are far from perfect and the SDA electrification project has provided an opportunity to make improvements to the station.

“The electrification of our railway will allow us to run faster, longer, greener trains and cut journey times while increasing the number of seats available for passengers. This application is a further step forward in our plan to build the best railway Scotland’s ever had.”

Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy Jobs and Fair Work, said: “Today’s news that Network Rail are to seek planning permission for a fully accessible footbridge at Stirling Station is welcome news for passengers, and for myself, who have long sought a solution to this matter. The new footbridge will finally enable much needed step-free access to all platforms within the historic station for passengers, including those travelling to and from stations on the Alloa line.

“I look forward to seeing the station improvements, which will be delivered as part of Scottish Government-funded electrification of the Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa lines, and the introduction of the faster, cleaner more comfortable new class 385 electric trains.”

 

[railjock]

Press release:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/network-rail-awards-11-6m-shotts-line-electrification-contract/



Note that this includes "complete rebuilding" of Breich (and Livingston South).

While we're at it, another recent press release that I didn't get round to posting at the time:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/access-improvements-planned-for-stirling-station/

You can understand Livvy South as it was done on the cheap in the 80s.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The redevelopment of Livingston South has been on the cards since electrification was announced I believe. That NR statement above though is the first time I have heard something specified exactly about it.

 

[clc]

Remember the 385s won't be able to run regularly as 8 cars until Queen St redevelopment is complete so that's a wee while off yet.

Alex Hynes has confirmed that the 8-car 42 minute service will start next December.

Column 33: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11191&mode=pdf

 

[Altnabreac]

Alex Hynes has confirmed that the 8-car 42 minute service will start next December.

Column 33: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11191&mode=pdf

I think only platform 7 can take 8 car trains at the moment so you can't run a full 8 car service as it couldn't cope with disruption.

I suppose you could run 1 or 2 tph as 8 cars and thee rest as 7 cars which would meet what Alex Hynes sets out above.

 

[47271]

Groan, after the Class 380 First Class shambles, that'll be the next operational thing they haven't thought through properly.

It looks a bit risky to me to run frequent trains that can only fit in the longest platform at Queen Street?

 

[oldman]

If I was an MSP and I discovered that next December the majority of peak trains would not be 8 cars, I would feel Hynes had been a wee bit cute. He doesn't say 'all' trains, but he doesn't say 'some' trains either.

MSP: To clarify, am I correct that we should expect to see the eight car 42-minute service on the Glasgow to Edinburgh line in December 2018?
Alex Hynes:That is correct.

 

[InOban]

Surely by the end of the year both Consort House and the Millennium Hotel extension will be long gone, and the other platforms will have been extended (the actual work was carried out last year but covered over).

 

[najaB]

Surely by the end of the year both Consort House and the Millennium Hotel extension will be long gone, and the other platforms will have been extended (the actual work was carried out last year but covered over).

I expect so, yes.

 

[Altnabreac]

Surely by the end of the year both Consort House and the Millennium Hotel extension will be long gone, and the other platforms will have been extended (the actual work was carried out last year but covered over).

The complete Queen Street is due to be finished in "Early 2020".

I haven't seen any breakdown of at what point the extended platforms might reopen and whether that date would be before the full station completion.

I'd be slightly surprised if all the 8 car platforms were available by December 2018.

 

[gsnedders]

The complete Queen Street is due to be finished in "Early 2020".

I haven't seen any breakdown of at what point the extended platforms might reopen and whether that date would be before the full station completion.

I'd be slightly surprised if all the 8 car platforms were available by December 2018.

I thought we needed the extra facade to have enough space to have anything in front of the platforms?

 

[kilonewton]

Queen St needs, in order:
Consort House & Millenium Hotel demolition
Concourse construction
Platform extensions.

To extend the platforms before there is somewhere for passengers to go is not a goer.

 

[kilonewton]

Side note. Not many taking advantage of the declassification of 1st Class on the 170s.

 

[InOban]

Queen St needs, in order:
Consort House & Millenium Hotel demolition
Concourse construction
Platform extensions.

To extend the platforms before there is somewhere for passengers to go is not a goer.

I quite agree. I have no inside knowledge of the work schedule. However, since the demolition is under way, it is conceivable that the concourse could be in place by the end of next year. But bringing it into use may may make building the new facade more awkward.

 

[snowball]

Press release

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/bridge-to-improved-accessibility-at-west-calder-station/

Over the weekend, engineers working at West Calder took a massive step forward in the delivery of a new accessible footbridge at the station.

Nine sections of the bridge, weighing more than 21 tonnes, were lifted in to position by a 300 tonne crane rigged on Saturday night ahead of lifting on Sunday.

The sections and staircases were connected to the lift towers which had been positioned earlier to complete the main frame of the structure.

The new bridge is being constructed next to the existing structure and will provide both stair and lift access. This is part of wider work on the Shotts line being delivered by Network Rail ahead of the electrification of the route by March 2019.

The work, which will be ongoing until February 2018, will create step-free access across the railway improving the station for people with impaired mobility, travelling with luggage, children or cycles.

The project is being delivered from the site compound previously used for the A71 bridge works and sees the new, accessible footbridge constructed during a six month programme. It will replace the existing bridge which will be removed after the new structure has been opened.

Matthew Spence, Network Rail route delivery director, said: “Completing the installation of the main bridge structure is an important milestone for the project as we move towards making big improvements in accessibility at the station.

“Being able to build the new bridge sections at West Calder beside the railway and crane them into position enables us to deliver the work with the minimum disruption to the day-to-day operation of the station.

“We are continuously seeking opportunities to make stations more accessible. This new bridge will help ensure that everyone in the community has the opportunity to easily access services at West Calder station and thus enable even more people to travel by train.”

The work at West Calder is being delivered by contractor BAM Nuttall who also completed the A71 bridge works ahead of programme, on behalf of Network Rail.

Electrification of the line across North Lanarkshire and West Lothian coupled with improvements at stations will transform the journey experience for rail passengers who will enjoy the benefits of improved services for many years to come.

 

[Stopper]

Does anyone know if all 9 platforms at Stirling will be electrified?

Obviously 2, 3 & 6 will, and definitely 9 given the step-free access being added. I was more wondering about the 5 bays, particularly the north-facing ones.