East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[Southsider]

Interesting to note in the first picture they’ve used a spare mast from the 1960s electrification for the overrun onto the Larkfield curve (which ironically is straight).

 

[d9009alycidon]

Interesting to note in the first picture they’ve used a spare mast from the 1960s electrification for the overrun onto the Larkfield curve (which ironically is straight).

Don't forget that this part of what is now called the Larkfield spur used to be the main line into St Enoch, hence the straight formation

 

[59CosG95]

Don't forget that this part of what is now called the Larkfield spur used to be the main line into St Enoch, hence the straight formation

They definitely have - looks as if they've considered the future too as there's a twin track cantilever between the 1960s' mast and the Tensorex anchor at the overrun; the boom of said TTC extends over both tracks.

 

[d9009alycidon]

Would it not make sense, given the few trains that use the route, to single track this spur and realign to the middle of the bridge arches?

 

[Southsider]

Would it not make sense, given the few trains that use the route, to single track this spur and realign to the middle of the bridge arches?

It might give clearance for a pantograph saving the need for bridge reconstruction.

 

[MadMac]

Would it not make sense, given the few trains that use the route, to single track this spur and realign to the middle of the bridge arches?

Given the cost/availability of signalling design resources, the bridge rebuild may well be the easier option! (Edit: there are two bridges on that short link, both major roads. They’ll be challenging).

 

[gingertom]

It might give clearance for a pantograph saving the need for bridge reconstruction.

is there enough room either side of the bridges to lower the track and get them back up to height?

edit: Just had a closer look at the OS map. South end can't start diving because of the bridge over the Cathcart circle line. Therefore track lowering doesn't look to a possibility.

 

[snowball]

Are the bridges under discussion not the ones proposed for track lowering in the paper linked in post #798?

Maybe they will be done when the EK branch is done?

 

[gingertom]

Are the bridges under discussion not the ones proposed for track lowering in the paper linked in post #798?

would appear to be those bridges so some lowering appears feasible. Redecking a 3rd bridge sounds a bit more costly.

 

[snowball]

would appear to be those bridges so some lowering appears feasible. Redecking a 3rd bridge sounds a bit more costly.

The bridge for which the article proposes redecking is the one currently being finished, Nithsdale Road.

 

[Southsider]

The bridge for which the article proposes redecking is the one currently being finished, Nithsdale Road.

Completion of the redecking and removal of the footbridge would appear to eliminate the last height restrictions between Glasgow Central and Barrhead.

 

[gingertom]

Completion of the redecking and removal of the footbridge would appear to eliminate the last height restrictions between Glasgow Central and Barrhead.

Once that's done it should be plain sailing doing the actual wiring. Is there a tentative completion date in the public domain?

 

[OB23Gone]

Completion of the redecking and removal of the footbridge would appear to eliminate the last height restrictions between Glasgow Central and Barrhead.

Work to remove the footbridge starts on 4th Jan and it will have been removed by end of play on the 6th. Darnley Rd is closed over that weekend when the crane will be in for its removal. Heard today from someone how will be working on its removal

 

[MadMac]

Work to remove the footbridge starts on 4th Jan and it will have been removed by end of play on the 6th. Darnley Rd is closed over that weekend when the crane will be in for its removal. Heard today from someone how will be working on its removal

Completion of the redecking and removal of the footbridge would appear to eliminate the last height restrictions between Glasgow Central and Barrhead.

What about where the Cathcart Circle crosses? It was speculated as being a bit of a squeeze with no easy answer.

 

[snowball]

Once that's done it should be plain sailing doing the actual wiring. Is there a tentative completion date in the public domain?

The official date is Dec 2023.

 

[gingertom]

The official date is Dec 2023.

doesn't sound difficult to achieve.

 

[380101]

One thing I've not seen mentioned is this the new run off track at Barhead leading onto single track section. Is it just a case of being brought up to modern standards or something else?

The run off track had to be extended to meet modern standards as part of the resignalling project I believe.

 

[nlogax]

The run off track had to be extended to meet modern standards as part of the resignalling project I believe.

Are there any plans for this available online?

 

[route101]

doesn't sound difficult to achieve.

Date for Barrhead services to go electric?

 

[MadMac]

is there enough room either side of the bridges to lower the track and get them back up to height?

edit: Just had a closer look at the OS map. South end can't start diving because of the bridge over the Cathcart circle line. Therefore track lowering doesn't look to a possibility.

A quick measurement with Google Earth indicates about 300 yards between the Cathcart Circle bridge and Pollokshaws Road. It may be more of a problem getting back to height between Kilmarnock Road and Larkfield Junction.

 

[snowball]

These issues are discussed in detail in the article linked in #798.

 

[nlogax]

Noticed these markings on Glasgow-bound platform 2 at Barrhead. Do they indicate intended locations of OHL masts or something else? They are quite close together, only separated by a few metres.

 

[OB23Gone]

Work to remove the footbridge starts on 4th Jan and it will have been removed by end of play on the 6th. Darnley Rd is closed over that weekend when the crane will be in for its removal. Heard today from someone how will be working on its removal

This SHOULD READ 6th - 9th
Whilst out today 1/1/23
Masts & Gantries are now Covering Muirhouse Central Junction to White Cart Bridge at Shaws West.
Pic 1):- 1st Gantry From Central - Last From Barrhead as seen from Darnley Street at Day Nursery Pic 2):- From Albert Drive / Pollokshields East Station viewing Muirhouse Central Junction. Would imagine there will be a lot of intricate installation work will require to be carried out here. Almost the beginning and end of Cathcart Circle can be seen in this view

 

[Glaswegian]

Noticed these markings on Glasgow-bound platform 2 at Barrhead. Do they indicate intended locations of OHL masts or something else? They are quite close together, only separated by a few metres.

They are the right sort of codes for OHL masts.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

They are quite close together, only separated by a few metres.

so not a straight run then. An anchor possibly aka a wicketkeeper end of a tension run etc. I have attached an example on the WCML 3.8 miles north of Preston.

 

[snowball]

They are the right sort of codes for OHL masts.

I think K is right for the Glasgow-Kilmarnock line, but if 11 is the distance from Glasgow Central, then it must be miles, not km, which is a surprise.

 

[najaB]

I think K is right for the Glasgow-Kilmarnock line, but if 11 is the distance from Glasgow Central, then it must be miles, not km, which is a surprise.

Why is that a surprise? The railway still measures things in miles and chains (or at least the metric conversions thereof).

 

[MadMac]

Why is that a surprise? The railway still measures things in miles and chains (or at least the metric conversions thereof).

I think the old electrification on Cathcart Circle was done in miles, presumably it’s following on from that.

 

[59CosG95]

Noticed these markings on Glasgow-bound platform 2 at Barrhead. Do they indicate intended locations of OHL masts or something else? They are quite close together, only separated by a few metres.

Intended OLE mast locations. I'd guess the one marked K/11/09A is a late addition to the final design, being only a few metres to the north of K/11/10.

I think K is right for the Glasgow-Kilmarnock line, but if 11 is the distance from Glasgow Central, then it must be miles, not km, which is a surprise.

Nope, it's kilometres - and the datum is where the line branches off from the Cathcart Circle.

 

[snowball]

Why is that a surprise? The railway still measures things in miles and chains (or at least the metric conversions thereof).

Not, as far as I'm aware, for numbering masts on new or extended electrifications in the last 50 years. The WCML, for example, changes from miles to kilometres at Weaver Junction, as discussed in previous threads. Since a kilometre is less than a mile, this does not lead to any ambiguous numbers - all numbers north of WJ are greater than any to the south.

59CosG95 has now provided the answer.