East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[deerokus]

Seems to be engineering trains up and down the line a couple of times a day at the moment. Entertainingly noisy.

 

[d9009alycidon]

Also very colourful, so far I have seen Freightliner Green and Yellow, DB red, DRS blue and even an old EWS maroon

 

[Southsider]

Also very colourful, so far I have seen Freightliner Green and Yellow, DB red, DRS blue and even an old EWS maroon

There was a Drax one a few days ago.

 

[Frankton Junct]

Also very colourful, so far I have seen Freightliner Green and Yellow, DB red, DRS blue and even an old EWS maroon

Colas Rail Freight too.

 

[OB23Gone]

Was at EK today where the main works are taking place. Will update with pictures Tomorrow. Anyway on the way back took Sutherland Drive and onto Melford Ave to go down to Church Rd. There were 2 spent ballast trains sitting on the embankment. 66951 was behind 66558 held at the signal before Giffnock Station. There had been departures from EK at silly o’clock in the morning and according to RTTs there shouldn’t have been anything in the area at that time. Took some photos and then realised that 6K60 was heading in the direct so held back to see it pass which allowed the chance of 3 x 66’s together. After that decided to check on Robslee Drive compound to see if any RRV, s but there were none. Could hear a 66 ticking over which turned out to be DB Red 66190 hauling empty, looking pretty new, flat wagons to either Millerhill or Carlisle NY. Chanced going down Burnfield Cottages an got lucky as could hear another 66 which was 6K61 GBRF 66704 Colchester PSB. So quite eventful 50 minutes, 5 Locos 4 liveries, 4 companies & 2 Named

 

[MadMac]

Colas Rail Freight too.View attachment 174361

What’s the location here? I commuted from Hairmyres for 17 years and I’m having trouble placing this.

 

[OB23Gone]

The Red Sandstone Flatts Are on Haggs Road just after Shaw's West Station. To the right is Pollokshaws Burgh halls . Haggs Gate is the Road and Arnold Clark is the Garage

 

[Frankton Junct]

What’s the location here? I commuted from Hairmyres for 17 years and I’m having trouble placing this.

Sorry, I should have captioned my photograph.

A Colas Rail Freight class 66 locomotive hauling a rake of ballast hopper wagons southbound through the site of the former Pollokshaws Goods Yard between Haggs Road and the viaduct over the White Cart Water. Part of the former goods yard was redeveloped for the Arnold Clark car sales and service branch on Pollokshaws Road, which you can see behind the train.

 

[MadMac]

Sorry, I should have captioned my photograph.

A Colas Rail Freight class 66 locomotive hauling a rake of ballast hopper wagons southbound through the site of the former Pollokshaws Goods Yard between Haggs Road and the viaduct over the White Cart Water. Part of the former goods yard was redeveloped for the Arnold Clark car sales and service branch on Pollokshaws Road, which you can see behind the train.

Ah! Got it now, thanks.

 

[sheeldz]

I know that this will have been engineered and thought about, but the OHLE poles at Clarkston seem to be sitting a lot higher than they will once the track bed is lowered.

 

[OB23Gone]

HAIRMYRES EXTENDED LOOP IN. ALMOST FINISHED BAR A COUPLE OF LOOSE ENDS. IN PICTURES

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Great photos thank you very much.

 

[d9009alycidon]

Interesting that the photo of the new double track passing the Old Hairmyers Station shows the platform edging still intact, has the station officially been closed or is the platform being left in a usable condition just incase the new station isn't ready once trains resume in May?

 

[OB23Gone]

According to Scotland's Railway notice at the station it is closing June 25 but no actual date advised

 

[Train Maniac]

Interesting that the photo of the new double track passing the Old Hairmyers Station shows the platform edging still intact, has the station officially been closed or is the platform being left in a usable condition just incase the new station isn't ready once trains resume in May?

The tactile paving and almost all the station furniture have been removed, so i seriously doubt it

 

[deerokus]

New footbridge in place at Giffnock. And a very very large crane!

 

[OB23Gone]

A Couple of different angles from deerokus's pictures

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Feb 2025 ==

Sat 15 Th 1321 track being removed at Clarkson Toll and through Station. 1 for the locals

 

[Rick1984]

Do they remove the tactile paving to recycle it elsewhere?

 

[Southsider]

What’s the Story?

Also, Strawhill Road will be shut for two weeks from Monday 17 February and Clarkston Road from Friday 7 March, presumably for track lowering to take place. Materials have been deposited at Church Road so lowering is required there I assume.

Correction to the above. According to the roadworks website the closure is to allow extension to the bridge parapets. Track lowering is well underway with new ballast, sleepers and rails in place under Clarkston Road On the EK bound line.

 

[OB23Gone]

Clarkston View on Tue 18-02-25 Showing the Track Lowering. Telephoto Lens so don't know how much Distortion of lowering or not

 

[d9009alycidon]

There was a Drax one a few days ago.

Add the Pink ONE livery loco present today

 

[Southsider]

Clarkston View on Tue 18-02-25 Showing the Track Lowering. Telephoto Lens so don't know how much Distortion of lowering or not

It’s difficult to tell but comparing before and after, it doesn’t look like it’s lowered very much. It does look like the track is further away from the bridge abutment which would tie in with the need to keep the pantograph away from the arch. Possibly a combination of both.

 

[gingertom]

just wondering if the sleepers and track are reused after a lowering or whether it is replaced. I guess it depends on the condition...?

 

[Trackbasher84]

just wondering if the sleepers and track are reused after a lowering or whether it is replaced. I guess it depends on the condition...?

Old track and sleepers removed, ballast dug out and taken away, new layout from formation up, drainage etc and new track put in. Old stuff goes for recycling.

 

[OB23Gone]

13 ENGINEERS TRAINS LEAVING THE EK BRANCH FROM TONIGHT Thur20-02-25 Starting at 2158pm. This Excludes a tamper at 2148 and the Fine Liner at 2225. THE FIRST OUT WILL BE 6K42 Which arrived at Busby Junction at 0625am this Morning departing at 2158 a Mear 15hrs33mins Later. Others out tonight are 6K41,40 & 39. 6K38 – 6K30 leave between 0030 & 0430am

The Frist to arrive in was 6K30 at 1440 on Monday the 17th and leaving Friday 21st A WHOPPING 3Days 13ths 45mins later. Most of which time was spent Shut Down near OLD Hairmyres in the company 6K31

Pictures 66425 on 6K30 & 66711 0n 6K31, 66509 which had brought in 6K32 next up DB Red 66959 `which had brought up 6K04 which may have been its first time up in Scotland? This has not long been regeared and renumbered from 66171. A bit about the upgrades to the DB 66’s can be found ON HERE using DB THE Class66’s

 

[GLC]

How is signalling handled when a line is under possession like this, and also being physically altered?. Do they just rely on token working in the area?

 

[Southsider]

Both lines in place at Clarkston, the Glasgow bound one looks a fair bit lower.

 

[Scotrail88]

Could it be that the to EK is neutral as heading into the station and doesn’t need lowered as much?

 

[380101]

How is signalling handled when a line is under possession like this, and also being physically altered?. Do they just rely on token working in the area?

All trains, RRVs in possessions are under the control of the PICOP (person in charge of possession) and they work on "line of sight" at very slow speeds. The only signals that will be utilised will be the entry and exit signals of the possession. In the case of the EK works, the whole line from Busby junction is under possession, and the last signal that will require to be obeyed is the junction signal on the Up Barrhead at Busby Junction.

Not being a freight driver, I don't know the finer details of operating within possessions, but I believe the freight loco will be authorised by the signaller to pass the junction signal at danger to enter the possession and then they fall under the control of the PICOP. Hopefully a freight driver will be along shortly to provide better detail, and correct my limited info if it is lacking detail as being a passenger TOC driver, I have no idea about working trains in possessions.

 

[Southsider]

Parapet raised on north side of Strawhill Road, other side still to be done. Note the fine array of potholes.