Fife Rail Electrification/Decarbonisation

[TrainViation]

Someone posted on there that they had received an official notification as a “railway neighbour”.

Thanks for the info. Is it on the website which says it’s moved places when you click on it? Or will it also be on the other website?

 

[MadMac]

Thanks for the info. Is it on the website which says it’s moved places when you click on it? Or will it also be on the other website?

On Scot-Rail.groups.io tagged as “DISC”.

 

[TrainViation]

On Scot-Rail.groups.io tagged as “DISC”.

Found the post, thanks. Good to know some details about the workings too.
Saturday nights working only UNTIL 06/12/25 where it bumps up to Saturday to Thursday nights.
I'm not sure though whether they mean Saturday - (Sunday + Monday + Tuesday + Wednesday) - Thursday, or Saturday AND Thursday.
I'm probably just being a bit thick though.

 

[mcmad]

Ever night except Friday into Saturday probably.

 

[TrainViation]

Just speculation, but which end of the line would Network Rail & SPL most likely start at?
I'm going to guess Thornton Junction for now, as it'll connect up with the Leven branch at least.

 

[John R]

Just speculation, but which end of the line would Network Rail & SPL most likely start at?
I'm going to guess Thornton Junction for now, as it'll connect up with the Leven branch at least.

I don’t think that matters, as until it’s all complete and ready to be switched on it won’t be. On such a short stretch there won’t be any staging, especially as only the LNER services could use it.

So I suspect it will all be down to wherever is most convenient logistically to start piling.

 

[hwl]

Just speculation, but which end of the line would Network Rail & SPL most likely start at?
I'm going to guess Thornton Junction for now, as it'll connect up with the Leven branch at least.

I don’t think that matters, as until it’s all complete and ready to be switched on it won’t be. On such a short stretch there won’t be any staging, especially as only the LNER services could use it.

So I suspect it will all be down to wherever is most convenient logistically to start piling.

As John R indicates it is very unlikely to be end to end before it gets to the wiring stage and not even that might be end to end.
Anything near structures getting altered is likely to be left till the work on those structures is mostly complete.

 

[TrainViation]

These vehicles were spotted at Kirkcaldy on Friday night during one of the working nights for the electrification. Does anyone have an idea what these could be for? (Images from Jason Smith/A Walk On The Fife Side)

 

[AMD]

Just speculation, but which end of the line would Network Rail & SPL most likely start at?
I'm going to guess Thornton Junction for now, as it'll connect up with the Leven branch at least.

If it's like the bit south of Dalmeny, the easy bits first - on that stretch the last bits still to get masts are the link up with the existing electrification at Saughton, around the access point at Turnhouse (to allow for turning on and off the line) and the bridge over the River Almond (depending if a mast needs to be attached to the bridge).
Also, with the new trains still a few years away there's no pressure to get any specific section done first. I would imagine some areas might be a bit slower to pile as there are mine workings in that bit of Fife, on the back of issues with the Chorley line electrification, some engineers will be wanting to do their homework/groundwork!

 

[TrainViation]

If it's like the bit south of Dalmeny, the easy bits first - on that stretch the last bits still to get masts are the link up with the existing electrification at Saughton, around the access point at Turnhouse (to allow for turning on and off the line) and the bridge over the River Almond (depending if a mast needs to be attached to the bridge).
Also, with the new trains still a few years away there's no pressure to get any specific section done first. I would imagine some areas might be a bit slower to pile as there are mine workings in that bit of Fife, on the back of issues with the Chorley line electrification, some engineers will be wanting to do their homework/groundwork!

Getting through the various tunnels and bridges in the Kirkcaldy town area would be a bit of a hassle I'd imagine, with the multitude of bridges which need modification (especially the one visible from the train station which starts next summer and needs 250 working days). I'd imagine it would be between either end of the second phase, or just south of Kirkcaldy train station.

Now that I think about it, which phase of the project would seem most sensible to begin wiring the entirety of Thornton Junction? Of course with the second phase, it would be logical to link that with the Leven branch at least in the mean time. But I'm wondering if they would wire the entire junction in the second phase, and put circuit breaks and terminating masts at the end of each of the junctions before Thornton and on the main lines where the track goes back down to double.

 

[hwl]

These vehicles were spotted at Kirkcaldy on Friday night during one of the working nights for the electrification. Does anyone have an idea what these could be for? (Images from Jason Smith/A Walk On The Fife Side)

Photos 1&2 equipment Delivering piles (often made from recycled 2' or 2'6" end of 1st working life oil/gas pipe) from the access point to the piling locations hence the trolley and excavator with grab attachment suitable for the piles
Photo 3 - right hand excavator doing the piling

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==

Getting through the various tunnels and bridges in the Kirkcaldy town area would be a bit of a hassle I'd imagine, with the multitude of bridges which need modification (especially the one visible from the train station which starts next summer and needs 250 working days). I'd imagine it would be between either end of the second phase, or just south of Kirkcaldy train station.

Now that I think about it, which phase of the project would seem most sensible to begin wiring the entirety of Thornton Junction? Of course with the second phase, it would be logical to link that with the Leven branch at least in the mean time. But I'm wondering if they would wire the entire junction in the second phase, and put circuit breaks and terminating masts at the end of each of the junctions before Thornton and on the main lines where the track goes back down to double.

It is highly likely at least 95% of the piles will go in before any masts and they tend not to get in the way most of the time.
If there isn't too much timing pressure (as on this scheme as no rolling stock ordered yet) then one easy option is to try piling at all the location and see if you run into any problems before you do the final order for masts and SPS.

 

[OB23Gone]

Apparently for Re-sleepering works was told

 

[jeffinabox]

Sorry, wrong thread

 

[TrainViation]

Masting on the Leven line seems to be around 70% complete from what I’ve seen, and there are new piles with bolts on them where the line runs parallel with the mainline at Thornton junction.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Oct 2025 ==

I can also confirm directly from Network Rail, that the road bridge adjacent to Markinch station will not need height adjustments or replacements. Only parapet work for the side walls for safety.

 

[TrainViation]

Update to the Coaltown of Balgonie bridge replacement on Lady Nina Square.

The road works date has been narrowed down to begin between 01/12/25 - 09/12/25 and is supposed to last 89 working days. It is also said that the replacement itself is due to take place during the disruptive rail possession between 31/12/25 and 02/01/26.

I’m a little confused why Network Rail are doing bridge works up in the north of the project so early, rather than other bridges which are in the current projects way. Like how the Bennochy road bridge next to Kirkcaldy rail station is due to start next summer, but one on the Ladybank section is being replaced this Christmas. It doesn’t make sense to me, but there will definitely be a reason.

 

[hwl]

Update to the Coaltown of Balgonie bridge replacement on Lady Nina Square.

The road works date has been narrowed down to begin between 01/12/25 - 09/12/25 and is supposed to last 89 working days. It is also said that the replacement itself is due to take place during the disruptive rail possession between 31/12/25 and 02/01/26.

I’m a little confused why Network Rail are doing bridge works up in the north of the project so early, rather than other bridges which are in the current projects way. Like how the Bennochy road bridge next to Kirkcaldy rail station is due to start next summer, but one on the Ladybank section is being replaced this Christmas. It doesn’t make sense to me, but there will definitely be a reason.

Locals tend to get a bit up set if if all the bridges in an area get closed at once, hence if all bridges on route need attention only a third or a quarter might get worked on at once.

Simpler bridge works may get done earlier too as there is less design, planning and materials lead time.

As there are bridge works on 3 of the 4 "to be electrified" arms in Fife and some bridge works south of the Bridge too optimising the various line closures for getting work progressed vs maintain some rail services to minimise the replacement bus requirements will come into the planning as well. (Both a blessing and a curse compared to a simple single route).

There is also an element of keeping item off the critical path for completion - you can't do everything at the last minute.

A rolling programme of bridge works awarded to a small number of teams should also help effective costs.

 

[The exile]

Locals tend to get a bit up set if if all the bridges in an area get closed at once, hence if all bridges on route need attention only a third or a quarter might get worked on at once.

Simpler bridge works may get done earlier too as there is less design, planning and materials lead time.

As there are bridge works on 3 of the 4 "to be electrified" arms in Fife and some bridge works south of the Bridge too optimising the various line closures for getting work progressed vs maintain some rail services to minimise the replacement bus requirements will come into the planning as well. (Both a blessing and a curse compared to a simple single route).

There is also an element of keeping item off the critical path for completion - you can't do everything at the last minute.

A rolling programme of bridge works awarded to a small number of teams should also help effective costs.

There is also the matter of utilities that may also be involved - so then you’re also having to coordinate with 3 or 4 other organisations who have their own priorities / needs.

 

[TrainViation]

Road closure alterations to the Thornton Railway Station bridge, and it's not looking good for the road users...
The road over the railway is still set to close between 15/06/2026 and 14/09/2026, but it is now due to shut for 286 working days instead of 30...
That affects a couple of major bus routes, such as the 39A from Glenrothes to Kirkcaldy, I wonder how that will affect road travel for that amount of time.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Road closure alterations to the Thornton Railway Station bridge, and it's not looking good for the road users...
The road over the railway is still set to close between 15/06/2026 and 14/09/2026, but it is now due to shut for 286 working days instead of 30...
That affects a couple of major bus routes, such as the 39A from Glenrothes to Kirkcaldy, I wonder how that will affect road travel for that amount of time.

Wow wow wow. That is a lot of days. I wonder why?

 

[hwl]

Wow wow wow. That is a lot of days. I wonder why?

That suggests lots of utilites work needed

 

[The exile]

Road closure alterations to the Thornton Railway Station bridge, and it's not looking good for the road users...
The road over the railway is still set to close between 15/06/2026 and 14/09/2026, but it is now due to shut for 286 working days instead of 30...

Unless the 15/06 - 14/09 is just the possible time frame for the start of the 286 days, that doesn’t add up as 286 days is a lot more than 3 months!

 

[themiller]

Unless the 15/06 - 14/09 is just the possible time frame for the start of the 286 days, that doesn’t add up as 286 days is a lot more than 3 months!

Perhaps it’s an AI cockup with the original intention being “for up to 86 working days” rather than “for 286 working days “!

 

[Trainbike46]

Perhaps it’s an AI cockup with the original intention being “for up to 86 working days” rather than “for 286 working days “!

Or maybe more likely, a mistype of any of 26, 28, or 86 days.

 

[TrainViation]

Unless the 15/06 - 14/09 is just the possible time frame for the start of the 286 days, that doesn’t add up as 286 days is a lot more than 3 months!

Sorry, my mistake, I meant that the start date would be between 15/06 and 14/09, not that it’s meant to last that long. Following the logic of all other projects on this line, the estimated start date will be narrowed down closer to the time.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That suggests lots of utilites work needed

On reflection, you will of course be correct. Thanks as usual for your input .

 

[TrainViation]

My friend got this through his letterbox yesterday, thought I’d share here.

It's a letter concerning the demolition and rebuilding of the railway bridge next to Lady Nina Square in Coaltown of Balgonie. It shows the work schedule, and the nearby schedule of the parapet work on Main Street.



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

I asked Network Rail a question regarding where the northern terminus of the new OLE from Thornton to Ladybank would be, and this was their response:
Good to see they’re getting the junction done initially.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

I asked Network Rail a question regarding where the northern terminus of the new OLE from Thornton to Ladybank would be, and this was their response: View attachment 192790
Good to see they’re getting the junction done initially.

That's good to see, I think there's a mention in Garry Keenor's book on electrification that, when planning, it's good to build a little into a route you think will get wired at some other time as I suppose it limits disruption on the route wired first.

(p241)
At key junctions it may be necessary to go further and provide full passive provision for future electrification of the diverging route, In this case the provision is expanded to cover both diverging and converging tracks, and the extent can be increased to provide a complete half tension length on all lines, which can later be temporarily converted to a permanently earth section during construction of the new electrified line. This allows construction to be undertaken without isolation of the existing route. The additional OLE will be terminated at an overlap to facilitate future extension.

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

so interesting to see this in action i suppose.

 

[jamieintercity]

My friend got this through his letterbox yesterday, thought I’d share here.

It's a letter concerning the demolition and rebuilding of the railway bridge next to Lady Nina Square in Coaltown of Balgonie. It shows the work schedule, and the nearby schedule of the parapet work on Main Street.

View attachment 192444

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

I asked Network Rail a question regarding where the northern terminus of the new OLE from Thornton to Ladybank would be, and this was their response: View attachment 192790
Good to see they’re getting the junction done initially.

I'm assuming the dundee Loop and the perth branch Loop will be wired as well?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That's good to see, I think there's a mention in Garry Keenor's book on electrification that, when planning, it's good to build a little into a route you think will get wired at some other time as I suppose it limits disruption on the route wired first.

And Scotland definitely forward thinks.

 

[TrainViation]

I'm assuming the dundee Loop and the perth branch Loop will be wired as well?

Yes, their plan is to wire a bit into both forks in the junction, like this (apologies for the bad illustration):

And Scotland definitely forward thinks.

Indeed they do, I was hoping they would continue slightly up the junction and they are.