East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[route101]

Info I had was "Barrhead only": EK and Larkfield were no longer planned for electrification at this time based on the document I saw.

If that's the case, that's a real shame.

 

[GLC]

What traffic(if any) uses the Larkfield curve? I’m assuming not even any passenger ECS workings go that way?

 

[Bald Rick]

It’s a pretty stiff, continuous climb (six miles or so?) from Thornliebank to Hairmyres. Note that the trial a few months ago went to Barrhead rather than EK. Could a battery unit handle it?

easily.

 

[clc]

Info I had was "Barrhead only": EK and Larkfield were no longer planned for electrification at this time based on the document I saw.

In which case operating BEMUs to EK would be the only realistic alternative.

 

[Carntyne]

EK is being wired.

 

[clc]

EK is being wired.

Are you basing that on anything concrete?

 

[MadMac]

What traffic(if any) uses the Larkfield curve? I’m assuming not even any passenger ECS workings go that way?

I've been diverted that way many years ago coming from EK - Central. I think it was originally included on the basis of "useful diversion and easy infill". I can't think of any "regular" traffic offhand.

 

[Frankton Junct]

I've been diverted that way many years ago coming from EK - Central. I think it was originally included on the basis of "useful diversion and easy infill". I can't think of any "regular" traffic offhand.

Occasionally petroleum trains to/from Grangemouth use the Larkfield curve. The next one is booked for 23 April.

 

[sannox]

TS has published the OBC/FBC.

https://scotlandsrailway.com/assets/site/East-Kilbride-and-Barrhead-Enhancements-OBC_FBC_-August-2021-FINAL-Accessible-Rev1.pdf

Certainly been descoped but full electrification is the plan. Think BEMU would be an issue with interworking.

 

[Frankton Junct]

7 months of closure seems a long time

This bridge GBK/013 Nithsdale Road is adjacent to another bridge, CTC/035 Nithsdale Road which is over the Cathcart Circle line between Muirhead Central Junction and Pollokshields West station. The latter bridge was rebuilt in 1959-60 when the Cathcart Circle was electrified. Perhaps this makes it more difficult to replace GBK/013.

 

[Ex-controller]

Are you basing that on anything concrete?

It’ll need to be or the catenary won’t stay up.

 

[John R]

This reference to the East Kilbride scheme would suggest that whilst electrification to Barrhead is going ahead, the wording "preferred option to be progressed to final business case stage" means that as yet there is no firm commitment to wire to East Kilbride.

Further down, it says: "It is important to note that the East Kilbride Final Business Case is anticipated to be published this year and will contain detailed information on the works proposed to progress to construction."

 

[clc]

It’ll need to be or the catenary won’t stay up.

 

[MadMac]

I almost wrote something to that effect, but thought better of it…..

 

[sannox]

This reference to the East Kilbride scheme would suggest that whilst electrification to Barrhead is going ahead, the wording "preferred option to be progressed to final business case stage" means that as yet there is no firm commitment to wire to East Kilbride.

Further down, it says: "It is important to note that the East Kilbride Final Business Case is anticipated to be published this year and will contain detailed information on the works proposed to progress to construction."

I think the comments about BEMUs for Kilmarnock maybe makes them think they can do the same for EK.

 

[snowball]

I haven't read it all yet but according to page 12 the (then-?) preferred option includes double tracking EK station. Presumably this would extend as far west as the existing loop near Hairmyres.

 

[Yindee8191]

You’d think the greater integration between infrastructure and operator in Scotland would stop these kinds of pointless descopings. Pushing the costs onto the rolling stock so you can cheap out on the infrastructure shouldn’t seem like a good option when the government owns the TOC as well as the infrastructure.

 

[Carntyne]

Are you basing that on anything concrete?

The announcement that it's going to be electrified. Lots of hot air over the last few posts...

 

[mcmad]

I haven't read it all yet but according to page 12 the (then-?) preferred option includes double tracking EK station. Presumably this would extend as far west as the existing loop near Hairmyres.

Nope, literally just adding a second platform albeit in a way that wouldn't preclude future doubling.

 

[clc]

The announcement that it's going to be electrified. Lots of hot air over the last few posts...

It’s been 6 months since it was announced. After the u-turn on double tracking I wouldn’t rule out another change of plan, especially when there’s great pressure to cut costs.

 

[snowball]

Are the appendices to the business case likely to be online?

Maybe in the same directory if their filenames could be guessed????

 

[Christmas]

What traffic(if any) uses the Larkfield curve? I’m assuming not even any passenger ECS workings go that way?

Empty coaching stock to and from Corkerhill and East Kilbride use it Monday to Friday, reversing at Polmadie. Essential for Glasgow Central guards' and Corkerhill drivers' route retention.

 

[clc]

I noticed this in the OBC/FBC:-

“If double tracking was to be introduced on the East Kilbride corridor at a future date it would cost [REDACTED TEXT] more due to the need to shift and reinstall the OLE in order to introduce the double tracking.”

Might there be some logic in deferring electrification of the East Kilbride branch until such time as the long term impact of Covid is better understood and the issue of the all important double tracking can be revisited? Operate BEMUs in the meantime. BEMUs will probably be operating to Kilmarnock anyway.

I worry that full wiring of the branch now will lock in the single track arrangement for a very long time.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I am conflicted on this. On the one hand I love every kilometre of electrification and just want to get it done. On the other hand I don’t like waste and jobs done twice and inferior infrastructure locked in for a long time.

 

[snowball]

One possibility might be to electrify the already-double-tracked western half of the EK branch, where any decisions about positioning the OLE supports cannot get in the way of any future doubling.

 

[clc]

One possibility might be to electrify the already-double-tracked western half of the EK branch, where any decisions about positioning the OLE supports cannot get in the way of any future doubling.

Good shout. Wiring the steep 4-mile section up to Busby would remove any BEMU performance concerns.

Politically it would be sensible to explain that future demand is uncertain, say that double tracking will be reconsidered in future and that it wouldn’t be prudent to wire the single track section as it would have to be redone at significant cost if double tracking was to go ahead. In the meantime you’ll still get shiny new electric trains.

 

[Falcon1200]

Might there be some logic in deferring electrification of the East Kilbride branch until such time as the long term impact of Covid is better understood and the issue of the all important double tracking can be revisited?

Personally I remain to be convinced that doubling Busby/East Kilbride, while nice to have, is essential; The current infrastructure supports a half-hourly service, is there ever likely to be the traffic to justify an increased frequency ? Not to mention how such an increase would be accommodated between Busby Junction and Glasgow Central, and at Central itself.

 

[92002]

Personally I remain to be convinced that doubling Busby/East Kilbride, while nice to have, is essential; The current infrastructure supports a half-hourly service, is there ever likely to be the traffic to justify an increased frequency ? Not to mention how such an increase would be accommodated between Busby Junction and Glasgow Central, and at Central itself.

Given that platforms are getting extended, trains can be longer. In the peak it can take a larger service. So probably should be fine the way it is.

 

[John R]

I don’t know the line but on the single track section could you not install twin track cantilevers such that they wouldn’t need moving, and just position the equipment on them accordingly in the interim (presumably around the mid point)?

 

[clc]

The current infrastructure supports a half-hourly service, is there ever likely to be the traffic to justify an increased frequency ?

It depends on Covid’s long term impact on travel patterns. It’s not that long ago that an increased frequency was the publicly stated plan so the potential must be there.

Why not hold off wiring the single track section for a few years until we have a clearer picture of future demand? Wire the double track section if required and operate BEMUs in the meantime. If it transpires that an increased frequency isn’t justified then we can forget about double tracking and wire the remaining section for EMU operation.