East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[OB23Gone]

16 Week EK Blockade Engineering Trains (RTT Listing): - I Don’t know if too many people will be interested in this. There are 2 trains before the blockade in January on the 5 & 12th. Previous to Jan there have been numerous Rail Drop Trains so a great deal of track renewal to be carried out. There are no engineering trains in the first 9 days of the Blockade. After 3rd of Feb until 11th March there will be 98* Engineers trains in and out but not including a few tamper and fine line finishing machine visits. Tonnage In 63800 t and 68000 out.

* RTT is only showing 97 in but 98 Out. The additional inward would be 6K55 on 6th Feb. Unable to say where each Worksite will be on any given day. After the 11th I am assuming that the OHL will be being Installed. Over the weekend 6th Jan loads of masts were installed from EK Station, beyond Strathfillan Rd Bridge towards Kirktonholme Rd towards Hairmyres Loop this leaves very few to go up now which could happen before 3rd of Feb.

DRIVER TRAINING BEGAN Mon 06-01. There are 3 Route Starting Points 1) Carstairs Via Shawfield to Barrhead - Barrhead via Shawfield to Carstairs. Presume Route Learning for West Coast From Carlisle New Yard. 2) Muachline Junction Via Annbank - Falkland Yard - Paisley Gilmour Street - Terminus Junction - Muirhouse South Jn -Busby Jn - Barrhead - Barrhead - Busby Jn - Muirhouse South Jn -Larkfield Jn - Cambuslang - Mossend Down Yard G&SW Route Learning From Carlisle New Yard. This has skipped the Barrhead section and gone from Shields Jn through to Mossend. Motherwell TMD (Old Shed) To East Kilbride. 3)Motherwell DRS To EK. Motherwell TMD- Mossed Loco Holding Sidings - Whifflets North Jn - Mount vernon - Rutherglen East & West Junctions - Muirhouse South Junction - Busby Jn - EK 45min stop over EK - Reverse Route to Motherwell TMD (DRS)

 

[drb61]

Williamwood is a pretty poor station for accessibility which limits it's use for picking up rail again as part of a rail replacement service.

Given the bus isn't serving Giffnock, it may not actually pass Williamwood station anyway! I suspect most Clarkston passengers to Glasgow will just switch to using Williamwood.

If it doesn't pass Williamwood, I'm guessing it goes via Nether Auldhouse Road, Merrylee Road and Muirend, which I'm guessing is possibly slightly easier than Williamwood for a replacement bus pick up / drop off?

 

[d9009alycidon]

Today's East Kilbride Route Learner was 66430, seen here forming the 0Z52 1355 Motherwell Tmd (Drs) to East Kilbride at the old Hairmyers Station and 0Z53 1512 East Kilbride to Motherwell Tmd at the new Hairmyers Station, also some shots of 156s before the blockade starts

 

[GLC]

2) Muachline Junction Via Annbank - Falkland Yard - Paisley Gilmour Street - Terminus Junction - Muirhouse South Jn -Busby Jn - Barrhead - Barrhead - Busby Jn - Muirhouse South Jn -Larkfield Jn - Cambuslang - Mossend Down Yard G&SW Route Learning From Carlisle New Yard. This has skipped the Barrhead section and gone from Shields Jn through to Mossend. Motherwell TMD (Old Shed) To East Kilbride.

Shame it skipped Barrhead. Would quite like to see something take the curve from Terminus junction to the Barrhead/Catchart lines

 

[MadMac]

Shame it skipped Barrhead. Would quite like to see something take the curve from Terminus junction to the Barrhead/Catchart lines

I’ve actually done that on a 156! East Kilbride service was wrongly routed to Pollokshields East. They couldn’t back it up due to the Muirhouse Ground Frame not having facing point locks: it couldn’t go forward due to the driver not signing the Cathcart Circle. Next thing, a Traction Inspector I knew came walking through the train and saw me : “The very man! How familiar are you with the Circle?” “Reasonably“ “Good, come with me”. Traction Inspector conducted the Driver with me assisting on signal locations, routed from Pollokshields West to the Terminus Curve and back towards Crossmyloof.

 

[s55823ewj]

New updates on the roadworksscotland website for the A727/East Kilbride Road at Busby station. Road closures overnight 17 - 28 March, closed during day 22 - 25 March.

Complete renewal of rail bridge deck. Works will involve overnight road closures from 17th March to 21st March, with TTL's during the day, followed by full road closure from 23:00 on 21st March through to 06:00 on 25th March to allow demolition of existing deck and installation of new deck. TTL's will then be required from 25th March until 28th March, but again with overnight full road closures.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jan 2025 ==

Another new update on roadworksscotland, this time for B767/Stamperland Crescent bridge. Only now going to be closed overnight 21:00 to 06:00 for 14 working days. Still a wide range on estimated start date. (08/03/2025 - 03/06/2025)

Works to extend height of bridge parapets as part of wider electrification scheme. Works will be carried out during overnight road closures from 21:00 - 06:00

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jan 2025 ==

With the severe weather tomorrow cancelling all trains, tonight will be the beginning of the closure of the East Kilbride line until 18 May. The existing Hairmyres station will see its final train, as the new station will open when the line reopens.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jan 2025 ==

New planning application submitted 17 January for the new bridge over the road at Busby Station.

https://ercbuildingstandards.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/buildingstandards/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SQ8LXJGP06G00

Address	Railway Bridge North Of Busby Station East Kilbride Road Busby
Proposal	Replacement bridge deck at railway bridge UB223/033

 

[numtot12345]

New updates on the roadworksscotland website for the A727/East Kilbride Road at Busby station. Road closures overnight 17 - 28 March, closed during day 22 - 25 March.



== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jan 2025 ==

Another new update on roadworksscotland, this time for B767/Stamperland Crescent bridge. Only now going to be closed overnight 21:00 to 06:00 for 14 working days. Still a wide range on estimated start date. (08/03/2025 - 03/06/2025)


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jan 2025 ==

With the severe weather tomorrow cancelling all trains, tonight will be the beginning of the closure of the East Kilbride line until 18 May. The existing Hairmyres station will see its final train, as the new station will open when the line reopens.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jan 2025 ==

New planning application submitted 17 January for the new bridge over the road at Busby Station.

https://ercbuildingstandards.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/buildingstandards/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SQ8LXJGP06G00

Does the new bridge decking resolve the height restriction issue, which means First cannot run electric double decker buses on the no 6 route?

 

[mcmad]

Does the new bridge decking resolve the height restriction issue, which means First cannot run electric double decker buses on the no 6 route?

The drawings linked above seem to show minimal improvement to the headroom unsurprisingly.

 

[route101]

Does the new bridge decking resolve the height restriction issue, which means First cannot run electric double decker buses on the no 6 route?

I thought this was the chance to sort the issue out as well.

 

[s55823ewj]

I think sorting the height there would need a much larger redesign, either raising the tracks substantially or lowering the road.

 

[MadMac]

The drawings linked above seem to show minimal improvement to the headroom unsurprisingly.

Disclaimer: the drawings don’t involve wires and/or electricity, so fall outwith my area of expertise However, comparing the existing and proposed headrooms, it appears to be about 1 1/2” of an improvement. As others have alluded to, anything more would essentially be a complete redesign of the road.

 

[s55823ewj]

There's an image on the planning application that shows the height sign on the bridge as 4.20m/13'-9''. This is the exact same as the current signs, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see no increase in height vs current.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jan 2025 ==

The East Kilbride enhancement project page has been substantially updated. There will be a minibus shuttle connecting Giffnock/Thornliebank and Pollokshaws West, and between Thorntonhall and Hairmyres. https://www.scotrail.co.uk/east-kilbride-enhancement-project

Quoting the sections containing new information:
Thornliebank Rail Replacement / Alternative Rail Services
A minibus shuttle service will connect Thornliebank, Giffnock, and Pollokshaws West station to enable customers from Thornliebank to use rail services at Pollokshaws West or connect to other rail replacement services to Clarkston, Busby, Hairmyres and East Kilbride. Customers are encouraged to use rail services from nearby Kennishead railway station.
If you are travelling to Glasgow city centre, services between Kennishead and Glasgow Central, calling at Pollokshaws West and Crossmyloof, will operate as normal. Additional carriages have been added where possible to provide more space for customers.
Customers who already have rail tickets dated for travel between 25 January - 18 May 2025 may travel on other available routes. If you decide not to travel due to these improvement works, you can claim a refund without administration fee on unused tickets.


Giffnock Rail Replacement / Alternative Rail Services
A minibus shuttle service will connect Giffnock, Thornliebank, and Pollokshaws West station to enable customers to connect to other rail services and rail replacement at Pollokshaws West. Rail Replacement services will also be available on Sundays. Customers are encouraged to consider other public transport options.
Rail services from Whitecraigs, Williamwood and Muirend railway stations are available as normal, however, space on board will be limited at peak times. Customers are advised to use public transport or active travel options.
You must have a valid rail ticket to travel on the rail replacement bus services - these cannot be purchased onboard rail replacement buses. Bus times can be viewed, and tickets can be purchased online before travelling, via the ScotRail App, or at a ticket office or ticket vending machine.


Thorntonhall Rail Replacement / Alternative Rail Services
A rail replacement minibus service will operate between Thorntonhall station and Hairmyres station where customers can connect with rail replacement bus services and public bus transport. Customers at Thorntonhall can request a pickup by using the Help Point adjacent to the station building. Replacement buses pick up/drop off will be at the station exit on Peel Road.
You must have a valid rail ticket to travel on the rail replacement bus services - these cannot be purchased onboard rail replacement buses. Bus times can be viewed, and tickets can be purchased online before travelling, via the ScotRail App, or at a ticket office or ticket vending machine.
If you are travelling to Glasgow city centre, services between Hamilton West and Glasgow Central, calling at Blantyre, Newton, Cambuslang, Rutherglen, Dalmarnock, Bridgeton and Argyle Street, will operate as normal.
Customers who already have rail tickets dated for travel between 25 January - 18 May 2025 may travel on other available routes. If you decide not to travel due to these improvement works, you can claim a refund without administration fee on unused tickets.

I find it interesting that from most stations the recommended alternative stations are sensible, but then you get to Thorntonhall and onwards and they suggest travelling to Hamilton West?? It's roughly equal distance from East Kilbride, but nowhere near as close to Williamwood for Thorntonhall. Maybe trying to split the load? It also suggests Cambuslang as an alternative park and ride for EK. It's also confirmed on the other stations' sections that the rail replacement buses will be every half hour. Express buses just doing EK - Hairmyres - Glasgow are hourly. I have to assume it's the existing Hairmyres they're picking people up from. Also no express buses on Sunday, and the standard buses are doing Giffnock on Sundays only.

 

[Falcon1200]

I think sorting the height there would need a much larger redesign, either raising the tracks substantially or lowering the road.

Raising the track would be a massive job considering part of Busby station platform is on the bridge!

 

[Southsider]

Raising the track would be a massive job considering part of Busby station platform is on the bridge!

I’d have thought lower profile beams of adequate strength would be available nowadays. As I’ve mentioned before on this thread, East Renfrewshire council don’t seem to be engaging to resolve issues with roads under or over the railway. Clarkston Road at the station being the perfect example.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jan 2025 ==

We have our first OHLE damage on the route, a registration arm is hanging down on the section parallel to Sutherland Drive in Giffnock. A result of yesterday’s storm I guess.

 

[zwk500]

I’d have thought lower profile beams of adequate strength would be available nowadays.

Looking at the drawings, the actual bit under the track is only 220mm deep (general arrangement sheet 2). The track is ballasted (255mm deep), and canted, so it's difficult to see what more depth could be reduced while maintaining the current platform height without going for a bespoke design with a concrete slab track basically cast into the bridge, which would then cause all sorts of issues for the 2 transitions on the curve.

As I’ve mentioned before on this thread, East Renfrewshire council don’t seem to be engaging to resolve issues with roads under or over the railway. Clarkston Road at the station being the perfect example.

The clearance given on the sheet is 4.335m, signed for 4.2m, so to achieve the standard UK road clearance of 5.03m you'd need to either raise the railway or lower the road by a meter (or combination of both), which is far beyond what the council might be able to fund. From google maps, the only thing that you might have been able to do better at this bridge is increase the span width for a wider roadway and footpaths, but that would have increased costs considerably by needing to demolish the abutments.
Fundamentally, the rails aren't already clear of the 5.03m, so the bridge design can only do so much. The drawings suggest that there is a very slight improvement in clearance although that could just be the way the lines are drawn for clarity.

 

[d9009alycidon]

The need for an increase in the bridge height at Busby was substantially reduced when the GSO was built, easy diversionary route for high vehicles now

 

[OB23Gone]

A Tale of 2 Bridges. Weekend work 01-02-2025 The Farm Bridge at Easterton Lane, OB EK032, is scheduled to be demolished and Will Not Be Replaced. The New Foot Bridge at Thornliebank Station is to be Installed as will a Missing Bridge Wing Panel. Reinstatement of services is on-going with scheduled reopening as planned June 2025

 

[Legolash2o]

Why won't they replace the bridge? Surely someone will need to use it?

 

[s55823ewj]

Why won't they replace the bridge? Surely someone will need to use it?

It's the small farm track bridge to the southeast of Westerton Lane, very low usage.

 

[sannox]

I see there is now a minibus link between Giffnock and Thornliebank.

The traffic on the rail replacement was awful today - temporary traffic lights at Muirend Station were causing humungous queues and then there were temporary lights at Busby too!

 

[Southsider]

Work has started on lowering the track under Clarkston Road.

 

[Legolash2o]

It's the small farm track bridge to the southeast of Westerton Lane, very low usage.

Thank you

 

[route101]

I see there is now a minibus link between Giffnock and Thornliebank.

The traffic on the rail replacement was awful today - temporary traffic lights at Muirend Station were causing humungous queues and then there were temporary lights at Busby too!

How many coaches operate for each departure?

 

[Southsider]

Cable troughs lifted and material laid out for track lowering at Clarkston.

 

[s55823ewj]

I've found a 28 March 2024 East Renfrewshire council document detailing a possible active travel bridge crossing parallel to the existing B767/Stamperland Crescent bridge. It also confirms that the new entrance to Clarkston station will be from the north end of Platform 2, connecting to the car park, as most of us expected. Notably it also mentions a possible new stepped access to the westbound platform 1.
https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk...t_Item_08_-_28_March_2024.pdf?m=1710434347127.

I've found a Barrhead News article from June of last year about a petition to improve safety at Clarkston Toll https://www.barrheadnews.com/news/24383630.councillors-back-clarkston-toll-safety-measures-petition/. The relevant section for the railway is that it appears to confirm Network Rail are working on the plans for an active travel bridge parallel to the existing bridge on B767/Stamperland Crescent. In the article they quote local councillor Annette Ireland:

"I know that Network Rail are currently working on an initial design for a new walking, wheeling and cycling bridge across the railway at Clarkston adjacent to the road bridge and that work is being carried out by the council to investigate better Active Travel routes along Clarkston Road towards Clarkston, but none of these works will start before Spring 2025 and work is required right now on this crossing,"

This seems to suggest that there's plans for the active travel bridge at that location to go ahead.

 

[OB23Gone]

A section of the Thornliebank Station Footbridge Waits on a Transporter on Thornliebank Road to be delivered for Installation

 

[Southsider]

Digging in the rain at Clarkston. I can’t say it’s been the hive of activity I expected.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Feb 2025 ==

There’s a couple of trains parked up between Giffnock and Clarkston, presumably to remove the spoil from the track lowering.

 

[s55823ewj]

Strawhill Road closure dates confirmed from tellmescotland. https://tellmescotland.gov.uk/tellm...ail?uuid=683d83ad-da4a-36a4-aeec-d882a60e9313

Temporary road restriction – Strawhill Road, Clarkston

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order has been promoted authorising the road closure of a section of Strawhill Road (over rail bridge), Clarkston, in order to facilitate the safe operation of Network Rail structural works on or near the road, anticipated to be in operation overnight from 7PM on Monday 17th February to 7AM on Friday 28th February 2025.

Details of the restriction can be found on the attached copy of the Notice.

Location: STRAWHILL ROAD, CLARKSTON
Restriction: ROAD CLOSURE – OVER RAIL BRIDGE
Maximum Duration: 2 WEEKS – ANTICIPATED DATES: FROM 7pm ON MONDAY 17TH FEBRUARY UNTIL 7am ON FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2025.
Reason for Closure: IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE SAFE OPERATION OF NETWORK RAIL STRUCTURAL WORKS ON OR NEAR THE ROAD.
Vehicles Restricted: ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORKS, EMERGENCY SERVICE VEHICLES ATTENDING AN INCIDENT.
Alternative Route: BUSBY ROAD – CLARKSTON ROAD – STAMPERLAND GARDENS – STAMPERLAND DRIVE AND VICE VERSA.

Not 100% sure based on this whether the closures will be overnight, or during the day.

 

[mcmad]

I believe the track works at the moment are mainly at the new Hairmyres loop just now, Clarkston starts in a week or so

 

[OB23Gone]

A trip Yesterday with some phopt Upbates.