East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[Southsider]

There are guys working on the wires between Giffnock and Clarkston, looks like they are carrying out some adjustments.

 

[OB23Gone]

Sorry forgot to mention that the last of the wire run was completed last Sunday 6th April. That was on the down line between Robslee and the end of the Run Of at Busy Junction

 

[d9009alycidon]

Sorry forgot to mention that the last of the wire run was completed last Sunday 6th April. That was on the down line between Robslee and the end of the Run Of at Busy Junction

When is it due to go live?

 

[Southsider]

New path between Clarkston platform 2 and the car park under construction. They are also installing tactile paving blocks on both platforms.

(Moderator note: Image size reduced to reduce the burden on those with low bandwidth connections; the original was 3.6MB in size)

 

[OB23Gone]

A Tale of 3 Bridges Burnfield Rd, Fenwick Rd & Thornliebanl Road New Rail Bridge

 

[Southsider]

Past by today Sat 12th and there was an Asphalt lorry which had just left the site with another one waiting. Really gearing up for an early completion date within the 14month closure. Some pictures from Friday 11th.

Good Friday initial opening day though has been moved out slightly to after the Holiday weekend

Reopening on 22 April according to the local taxi firm’s facebook page. Over a month ahead of schedule (think it was June).

Edit - East Renfrewshire Council have confirmed that the road will reopen at 10:00 on Tuesday 22/4

 

[OB23Gone]

Reopening on 22 April according to the local taxi firm’s facebook page. Over a month ahead of schedule (think it was June).

Edit - East Renfrewshire Council have confirmed that the road will reopen at 10:00 on Tuesday 22/4

Yes this coming Tuesday. Heard that it was at the clients NRs request so maybe an announcement or not of it taking place. If no announcement it will probably be just a low key affair

 

[Southsider]

Insulation on the wires at Clarkston, presumably to protect them while work is done on the bridge.

 

[apjsco]

There’s a project update in today’s Daily record saying the project is on schedule and the line will reopen in May: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/east-kilbride-railway-upgrade-track-35077853#

NR have also published an update: https://www.networkrailmediacentre....-engineering-works-on-track-for-may-reopening

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

NR have also published an update: https://www.networkrailmediacentre....-engineering-works-on-track-for-may-reopening

Note that update above is dated 17th April 2025, so very much up to date.

 

[Frankton Junct]

Yes this coming Tuesday. Heard that it was at the clients NRs request so maybe an announcement or not of it taking place. If no announcement it will probably be just a low key affair

This morning at 10am Thornliebank Bridge reopened.

On the railway, engineers on a raised platform were working on the wires just beside the Eastwoord Old Cemetery.

Photos attached of the reopening ceremony and wires through Thornliebank Station.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Any more news about Hairmyres new station ?

 

[apjsco]

Network rail have published an article with a video covering the Thornliebank road reopening https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/thornliebank-road-bridge-reopens-early-for-community

 

[hux385]

Looking at RealTime Trains, there seems to be a few ECS moves from 15th May onwards before the full service resumes on 18th May. Presumably these are for crew training, especially with the new layout at Hairmyres?

 

[OB23Gone]

Just had an inquisitive look and these are listed as Test with appropriate T head code. But on the 14th there is a light engine move from Millerhill which maybe for testing track, signaling etc

 

[gingertom]

Just had an inquisitive look and these are listed as Test with appropriate T head code. But on the 14th there is a light engine move from Millerhill which maybe for testing track, signaling etc

what's the state of the wires? Could this be for testing the OLE?

 

[Questions]

Good to see Thornliebank station back open

 

[Southsider]

Good to see Thornliebank station back open

It’s not, the whole East Kilbride branch is closed until mid May. Thornliebank road bridge has reopened.

 

[Trackbasher84]

what's the state of the wires? Could this be for testing the OLE?

Nope ole not finished yet!

 

[Southsider]

Nope ole not finished yet!

Can’t be much left to do, connecting up at Busby junction?

 

[Frankton Junct]

Can’t be much left to do, connecting up at Busby junction?

The runoff from Busby Junction seems to go most of the way to Thornliebank Bridge. This was built when the Barrhead route was electrified.

I'm not sure if it will be possible to isolate the East Kilbride branch from the Barrhead electrification. My understanding is that the branch will be fed from the Barrhead line which itself is fed from the upgraded feeder station at Eglinton Street via cables to the feed in point at Muirhouse North Junction. So, no further interventions required for the supply.

When I was at the opening ceremony for the Thornliebank Bridge on Tuesday, engineers were working on the twin track cantilever just before bridge (on the Busby Junction side of the bridge) which was not far from OHL that I assume is live.

A Sunday would be a good day to tie in the branch - there are no EMU Barrhead stoppers on a Sunday and so the Barrhead line could be isolated without an impact on the Glasgow - Barrhead - Kilmarnock services.

 

[apjsco]

Walking over the rail bridge on Fenwick road in Giffnock, I noticed some copper wiring has been attached to the overhead wiring (see attached photo).

I assume this is part of the testing process, does anyone know more about this?

 

[zwk500]

Looks like it's attached to the Catenary wire rather than the contact wire, so maybe something to do with the earthing arrangements when isolations are needed? The insulator it's attached to up top looks reasonably permanent. I'm sure somebody will be along to correct me soon enough

 

[MadMac]

Looks like it's attached to the Catenary wire rather than the contact wire, so maybe something to do with the earthing arrangements when isolations are needed? The insulator it's attached to up top looks reasonably permanent. I'm sure somebody will be along to correct me soon enough

Not my field of expertise, but I’d agree that notwithstanding it being insulated from everything, this seems too “permanent“ to be the usual sort of earthing arrangement plus there appears to be one on the other line as well. One of our electrification-minded folks will no doubt explain in due course.

 

[OB23Gone]

Not my field of expertise, but I’d agree that notwithstanding it being insulated from everything, this seems too “permanent“ to be the usual sort of earthing arrangement plus there appears to be one on the other line as well. One of our electrification-minded folks will no doubt explain in due course.

Have noticed this at a few of these. They have appeared where there is minimal clearance underneath bridges. I think it is to lower the canterary wire. I'll upload some photos in a day or so to show the arrangements.

 

[gingertom]

Have noticed this at a few of these. They have appeared where there is minimal clearance underneath bridges. I think it is to lower the cantenary wire. I'll upload some photos in a day or so to show the arrangements.

could these have something to do with surge arrestors?

 

[59CosG95]

could these have something to do with surge arrestors?

Exactly - Surge Diverters (aka Surge Arresters) are precisely what those are.

For those who don't know what the purpose of the Surge Diverter, it acts as an insulator up to a set threshold (typically 300% of the supply voltage).
If that threshold is breached, it becomes a conductor, allowing current to flow safely to earth rather than arcing across the air gaps and damaging the bridge soffit.

Note the little doobry beneath the 2 insulators on the same stovepipe - this doobry is an "actuation counter", which clocks up the number of overvoltage events.
There should also be a "drop-out fuse" between the Surge Diverter and traction earth, but that doesn't appear to have been fitted at the time the picture was taken.

(This has been adapted from the excellent "Overhead Line Electrification for Railways" (6th Edition), Section 10.8.1, page 56; all credit to Garry Keenor)

 

[zwk500]

Exactly - Surge Diverters (aka Surge Arresters) are precisely what those are.

For those who don't know what the purpose of the Surge Diverter, it acts as an insulator up to a set threshold (typically 300% of the supply voltage).
If that threshold is breached, it becomes a conductor, allowing current to flow safely to earth rather than arcing across the air gaps and damaging the bridge soffit.

Note the little doobry beneath the 2 insulators on the same stovepipe - this doobry is an "actuation counter", which clocks up the number of overvoltage events.
There should also be a "drop-out fuse" between the Surge Diverter and traction earth, but that doesn't appear to have been fitted at the time the picture was taken.

(This has been adapted from the excellent "Overhead Line Electrification for Railways" (6th Edition), Section 10.8.1, page 56; all credit to Garry Keenor)

Many thanks for the precise yet concise explanation!

 

[OB23Gone]

Many thanks for the precise yet concise explanation!

I'll second those

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I'll second those

I will third it!

(This has been adapted from the excellent "Overhead Line Electrification for Railways" (6th Edition), Section 10.8.1, page 56; all credit to Garry Keenor)

And I will definitely second that! I have a personally signed copy from Garry.