Haymarket to Dalmeny electrification

[TrainViation]

Does anyone have any ideas about what’s going to happen with certain bridges between Edinburgh Gateway station and the merge? Most of them seem far too low to accommodate wires, so would either have to undergo replacement or track lowers. Any information on this?

 

[jamieintercity]

Noticed on roadworksscotland.org that further road bridges that go over the line are to undergo modification including:

The A8 between November and February 2026 for 37 working days.

Turnhouse road between September and December for 30 working days

Lennymuir road between October and January 2026 for 30 working days

Also, is the footbridge at dalmeny high enough for OHL to go under it?

 

[TrainViation]

Noticed on roadworksscotland.org that further road bridges that go over the line are to undergo modification including:

The A8 between November and February 2026 for 37 working days.

Turnhouse road between September and December for 30 working days

Lennymuir road between October and January 2026 for 30 working days

Also, is the footbridge at dalmeny high enough for OHL to go under it?

I can’t tell if it or it isn’t. There looks to be about two meters of clearance above a passing 170 shown in the image provided. I’m split between it being fine and not. It depends if they will even electrify that part of the line past where they already have, and it might be pointless to think about. (I also am sure those roadworks are for the electrification project as they seem very conveniently close together timeline wise.)

 

[BorderCollie]

Doesn't look too dissimilair to Carluke:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carluke_railway_station#/media/File:Carluke_lanarkshire.jpg

 

[zwk500]

I can’t tell if it or it isn’t. There looks to be about two meters of clearance above a passing 170 shown in the image provided. I’m split between it being fine and not. It depends if they will even electrify that part of the line past where they already have, and it might be pointless to think about. (I also am sure those roadworks are for the electrification project as they seem very conveniently close together timeline wise.)

I'd say there's definitely room for the wires and pantograph, the issue maybe getting the latest clearances from the wire (2.5m all around IIRC?), and the opportunity may be taken to replace with an accessible footbridge anyway.

 

[jadmor]

As of now, the electrification masts AND piles cut off just short of Dalmeny, most likely due to the Standingstane Road bridge overhead the line is too low to allow wires under it. (I could be wrong.) It would make sense to do and I’m not sure why they didn’t originally when the EGIP was in its hay-day… would’ve saved time and money there and then. I’m also curious about the almond chord as well… what’s the story with that?

The Edinburgh to Glasgow electrification scheme was meant to include a major upgrade to the existing line from Winchburgh to Dalmeny, with grade separated junctions and a west to south curve to allow Edinburgh to Glasgow services to run via the new Edinburgh Gateway station.

 

[och aye]

A planning application has been submitted by Network Rail for work related to bridge on Meadow Place Road.

25/03320/PA | Network Rail needs to heighten the side wall parapets of the road bridge over the railway at Meadow Place Road as part of the decarbonisation of the railway line. This is because the existing side parapets of the bridge

citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk

25/03320/PA | Network Rail needs to heighten the side wall parapets of the road bridge over the railway at Meadow Place Road as part of the decarbonisation of the railway line. This is because the existing side parapets of the bridge are too low to meet the standard required for Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) to run under the bridge. | Overbridge Meadow Place Road Broomhall Edinburgh

 

[TrainViation]

South Gyle masts now erected. I don't think there is any droppers though.

 

[gingertom]

South Gyle masts now erected. I don't think there is any droppers though.

it is still progress though. Happy to see it and long may it continue.

 

[AMD]

Also, is the footbridge at dalmeny high enough for OHL to go under it?

In the short term it doesn't matter as the wires are stopping short of Dalmeny initially, the attached photo shows the current limit of works - that's the A90 bridge in the background.

 

[TrainViation]

Speaking of the masts at South Gyle, I'm pretty sure there are only two more piles which need masts put on top of them. They are big concrete foundations between South Gyle station and where the lines merge with the Falkirk and Glasgow line. I'm also not sure if the foundations at the airport have been filled as well... but we are nearing the wiring stage!

 

[InOban]

Isn't there a bridge near South Gyle which needs work first?

 

[TrainViation]

Isn't there a bridge near South Gyle which needs work first?

Both the bridge that South Gyle passengers use to switch platforms, and another bridge closer to the merge are to be completely demolished and rebuilt, which is supposed to begin works at the start of next month. I'd imagine there will be a line closure to be honest.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Absolutely fabulous news. I love the Scotland approach. Apply for planning permission and get the feeders built.

Almost electrification by stealth.

 

[Cowley]

I’ve split some of the post about Dundee into a new thread which is here now:

Dundee electrification plans

Delivery times for these are quite lengthy. No doubt the 3 units are in safe storage at Cadder until the Fife Circle or ACB schemes are authorised for installation. Not currently authorised. The other could possibly be for Dundee. mods note - split from this thread...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[jamieintercity]

South gyle road is shown to have closed on 28th of July last month on roadworksscotland.org. anyone if the road bridge has indeed closed or is it still open?

 

[TrainViation]

Extremely exciting news! (*queue sarcasm*)

A new foundation has been put in place over the bridge near the airport where the river Almond runs underneath! It is a double "portal" style gantry. (Apologies for horrible screenshot)

 

[Southsider]

Extremely exciting news! (*queue sarcasm*)

And cue pedantry!

 

[TrainViation]

Here's a better angle, and it seems more other masts have been erected.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Here's a better angle, and it seems more other masts have been erected.

Definitely a good progress photograph . Thanks for posting

 

[fgwrich]

Here's a better angle, and it seems more other masts have been erected.

Thanks for the photo, though travelling along it several times this week it’s still somewhat painfully slow compared to over electrification schemes.

 

[TrainViation]

Thanks for the photo, though travelling along it several times this week it’s still somewhat painfully slow compared to over electrification schemes.

It's a big shame a mainline like this is taking so long, considering the amount of trains that use it... it should be prioritised a bit more rather than a "backburner" project that they add a mast to when they feel like it.

 

[InOban]

But for the foreseeable future there's only the few lner trains that could use the wires. As long as the relevant sections are complete before the BEMUs arrive (and they've not yet been ordered ) then they're at least keeping the squad together.

 

[TrainViation]

But for the foreseeable future there's only the few lner trains that could use the wires. As long as the relevant sections are complete before the BEMUs arrive (and they've not yet been ordered ) then they're at least keeping the squad together.

At least LNER will be able to use the wires in the mean time (which they will definitely be using as soon as they are switched on).
Though the fact the BEMUs haven't been ordered gives the government an excuse to possibly further delay the project. As the argument could be made that "it's better to focus on other projects which will have a benefit NOW rather than LATER"...

 

[Davester50]

At least LNER will be able to use the wires in the mean time (which they will definitely be using as soon as they are switched on).
Though the fact the BEMUs haven't been ordered gives the government an excuse to possibly further delay the project. As the argument could be made that "it's better to focus on other projects which will have a benefit NOW rather than LATER"...

Do LNER change modes on the move?
I know they usually change at Haymarket when stationary.

 

[TrainViation]

Do LNER change modes on the move?
I know they usually change at Haymarket when stationary.

They usually do, at least from watching one of LNER's videos (a cab ride from Inverness to Edinburgh) where the driver uses APCO (Automatic Power Change Over) around Dunblane to switch from diesel to electric mode. Not really sure how that works though, might do a bit of research on it.

 

[YorkshireBear]

LNER change on the move every day with the Leeds to Aberdeen and vice versa services at Ulleskelf.

 

[Davester50]

Thanks. I've only ever been on a Aberdeen-King's Cross or v.v. service, changing while stationary at Haymarket.
Can't really see a huge advantage of the few miles being done now, but I suppose every little helps.

 

[Trainbike46]

Thanks. I've only ever been on a Aberdeen-King's Cross or v.v. service, changing while stationary at Haymarket.
Can't really see a huge advantage of the few miles being done now, but I suppose every little helps.

The purpose is primarily to ensure there is enough time to charge Fife circle service BEMUs, that LNER will be able to use it is simply a nice side benefit.

Though as stated upthread, it will be a while before the BEMUs are available.

 

[John R]

At least LNER will be able to use the wires in the mean time (which they will definitely be using as soon as they are switched on).
Though the fact the BEMUs haven't been ordered gives the government an excuse to possibly further delay the project. As the argument could be made that "it's better to focus on other projects which will have a benefit NOW rather than LATER"...

I doubt the Scottish Govt regard the ability of a handful of LNER trains to use the wires as having any influence in its decision making process (which is heavily constrained by budgets) regarding how fast the project is completed.

And really, why would it?