Borders line (Scotland) electrification news and updates

[gingertom]

It is permissible under various circumstances to deviate from this principle, however.

I would argue that this is probably one of those times, the actual impact of a failure of this system will be very small.

I'd suggest that failure of the electricity supply to the Tweedbank/Galashiels area would impact the ability of BEMUs to recharge sufficiently to return to the Edinburgh area, causing knock-on delays and cancellations?

 

[59CosG95]

The application is here on the Borders council website, ref 24/00744/FUL:

https://eplanning.scotborders.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SFF0N9NTIHQ00

Just had a look at the Compound Layout drawing - seems SPL are doing this one as well.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Two transformers and supplying circuits are required for security of supply (or availability, or resilience, etc.).

(From ENA EREC P24 issue 2). The same principles apply throughout the electricity transmission and distribution networks: every component (line, transformer switch, etc) can fail or be taken out of service without any consumer losing supply.

Depends on what voltage level you are at as to whether that level of resilience is provided but certainly exists down to 33kV level.

 

[ainsworth74]

Reopened for @waverley47 to provide an update

 

[waverley47]

As of yesterday, Thursday 3rd July 2025, the planning application for the feeder station at Tweedbank is approved. The application can be viewed here, on the Borders Council website, and now shows as 'Approved'.

There are a couple of comment pieces on websites such as the Border Telegraph, speaking about the implications, but as of yet it's just regurgitated press releases from when the application was submitted.

It's expected that boots will be on the ground for fencing and wiring works within the month, and the physical feeder station itself is currently sat outside the SPL compound at Cadder Yard.

 

[Class 170101]

It's expected that boots will be on the ground for fencing and wiring works within the month, and the physical feeder station itself is currently sat outside the SPL compound at Cadder Yard.

Cadder Yard? Isn't that Glasgow? Seems a long way away.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

As of yesterday, Thursday 3rd July 2025, the planning application for the feeder station at Tweedbank is approved. The application can be viewed here, on the Borders Council website, and now shows as 'Approved'.

There are a couple of comment pieces on websites such as the Border Telegraph, speaking about the implications, but as of yet it's just regurgitated press releases from when the application was submitted.

It's expected that boots will be on the ground for fencing and wiring works within the month, and the physical feeder station itself is currently sat outside the SPL compound at Cadder Yard.

Scotland spending a lot of its now restricted capital budget on all these feeder stations without a plan for when any wiring will materialise.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Scotland spending a lot of its now restricted capital budget on all these feeder stations without a plan for when any wiring will materialise.

They are an absolutely key component. I applaud what they are doing.

 

[John R]

Scotland spending a lot of its now restricted capital budget on all these feeder stations without a plan for when any wiring will materialise.

I’d regard it as very encouraging news that an essential prerequisite for electrification is going ahead. For me the main concern is when will we hear about procurement of BEMUs to actually run a service along a newly part electrified line.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

They are an absolutely key component. I applaud what they are doing.

They are of course an absolute necessity but im surmising as they entered into a broad agreement with Scottish Power for the new feeder stations they maybe contractually obliged to install these now well ahead of need but with a restricted budget that means the OLE works are getting pushed back. What would be a travesty here is for the SPL team to get dissolved because they have no work is my point.

However, in some respects, particularly in Scotland with high level of demand for renewable power connections, it makes sense also to get on with it now as deferral could have resulted in years of delay. I guess the other advantage here is that with sunk cost its improves the business case for new trains being all electric.

 

[waverley47]

Cadder Yard? Isn't that Glasgow? Seems a long way away.

Scotland spending a lot of its now restricted capital budget on all these feeder stations without a plan for when any wiring will materialise.

The physical feeder stations themselves have lead times up to five years or so, and so it makes sense to have ordered these a while ago. The three sat at Cadder (simply a good place to store them, in the SPL compound there) were ordered before COVID, when everyone had hot and cold running money, however obviously now the feeder stations have been delivered, the cost of electrification has jumped significantly, and it's taking a lot longer to wire that expected.

The fact that the feeder stations exist, which are the item with the longest lead section, means that wiring works can begin as and when the teams get around to it.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

The physical feeder stations themselves have lead times up to five years or so, and so it makes sense to have ordered these a while ago. The three sat at Cadder (simply a good place to store them, in the SPL compound there) were ordered before COVID, when everyone had hot and cold running money, however obviously now the feeder stations have been delivered, the cost of electrification has jumped significantly, and it's taking a lot longer to wire that expected.

The fact that the feeder stations exist, which are the item with the longest lead section, means that wiring works can begin as and when the teams get around to it.

The grid end is the longest lead item because of the specialist single phase traction transformers and getting outages on the grid. Whats at Cadder is the railway end of the connection isn't going to be a big issue but as they existing might as well install them. As i said above NR Scotland have contractually committed to the connections and if they cancelled them that would cost money but perhaps the most important reason to carry on is outages on Scotlands grid are hard to come by because of the sheer volume of renewables seeking a connection.

 

[Hagbard Celine]

Work started on the extension to the Galashiels sub station in April. This is needed to supply the feeder station and is on the other side of Winston Road about 100m north of it.

Photo shows site clearance on 26/04/25 taken from the south. The existing substation is out of shot to the right.

 

[Cowley]

Thread reopened for @BordersBob to update

 

[BordersBob]

There may be boots on the ground. A large worksite appeared last week adjacent to Bowland Junction, at the site of the old Bowland station. There are several notices up relating to 'SPL Powerlines', though no statement of what the project is. If it is the start of electrification works, then it's great to see. Of course, regardless of progress on putting the wires up, on present plans there won't be any trains using them until 2031.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

That looks like boots on the ground to me. Great news indeed.

 

[TrainViation]

I wonder what the timeline for this project will look like. I'd imagine it would be split up into two phases; one for Tweedbank and the other for Newcraighall off of the ECML.
The length of line from Tweedbank to Bowshank Tunnel (where the initial termination is planned), is around 11 STKs give or take (according to my Google Maps measurement), and is single track most if not all of the way.
Not so sure about the northern section, though a decent bit more of that is double track meaning a bit more work. I'm not sure how the varying terrain would affect the rate of progress or trickiness to carry out work.

 

[AMD]

Not so sure about the northern section, though a decent bit more of that is double track meaning a bit more work. I'm not sure how the varying terrain would affect the rate of progress or trickiness to carry out work.

Not tricky at all, it's basically the loop through Shawfair from Kings Gate points up to where the Borders route connects into the line down to Millerhill - end to end distance is 2 miles & 10 chains, all structures are new build 10 years ago. The line up through Newcraighall station is part of the route to Millerhill so already wired.

 

[A330Alex]

First major work begins to electrify the Borders Railway​

Network Rail Scotland

Network Rail will begin the first stage of electrification on the Borders Railway later this week.

The work follows the Scottish Government’s announcement in September last year of a £342m investment to electrify routes in Fife and the Borders and introduce new battery‑electric trains. Electrification will help cut carbon emissions, improve air quality, enhance the passenger experience and reduce operating costs.

From Saturday 21 February, engineers will begin preparatory work ahead of piling on the sections of the route to be electrified between Newcraighall and Shawfair, and from Bowshank Tunnel to Tweedbank station.

Piling involves driving foundations into the ground to support the masts and cantilevers that will carry the future overhead line equipment and eventually enable electric trains to run between Edinburgh and Tweedbank.

The nature of the work means it can only be carried out safely when trains aren’t running. To allow it to take place, three weekend line closures have been scheduled next month. Part of the work will also be carried out overnight to make the best use of the time when the line is closed.

Saturday 14 - Monday 16 March
Saturday 21 - Monday 23 March
Saturday 28 - Monday 30 March

Buses will replace trains for affected services. Passengers are advised to plan ahead, check their journeys with ScotRail before travelling and allow extra time where needed.

Lynsey Maclean, scheme project manager at Network Rail Scotland, said: “The Borders Railway was rebuilt with future electrification in mind, which means we can deliver this work with far less intrusive engineering than is required on many older parts of the network, where we often need to lower track or raise bridges. The infrastructure here is already suitable for this next stage of modernisation.
“Piling is still a vital early step in installing the overhead line equipment that will eventually power electric trains. Our teams have planned the activity carefully to keep disruption to a minimum for passengers and those living near the railway.
“We’re grateful to customers and local residents for their patience while we complete this phase of the project. Electrification will deliver long‑term benefits for the Borders, and this work marks an important milestone in creating a cleaner, more reliable and more sustainable railway for the future.”
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “The electrification of sections of Borders Railway is an important step in paving the way for new, greener trains and delivering a more modern railway for the communities we serve.
“These early works mark real progress towards introducing new trains, which will offer customers a quieter, smoother, and more environmentally sustainable journeys along the route.
“We know that electrification works can cause inconvenience to customers, so we’re working closely with Network Rail to keep customers informed and will provide clear alternative travel arrangements so customers can continue to travel with confidence when the project is underway.”

Since its reopening, more than 13 million journeys have been made on the Borders Railway. The line has also supported housing development, commercial investment and the regeneration of land along the rail corridor. Electrification is expected to support further growth and ensure the route remains reliable and sustainable in the years ahead.

 

[John R]

The section between Newcraighall and Shawfair seems so short, I do wonder whether that little bit really makes all the difference in terms of making the remaining unelectrified section within range for the batteries. You would have thought once you get going on a section the marginal cost of an additional mile or so is minor.

 

[dcsprior]

The section between Newcraighall and Shawfair seems so short, I do wonder whether that little bit really makes all the difference in terms of making the remaining unelectrified section within range for the batteries. You would have thought once you get going on a section the marginal cost of an additional mile or so is minor.

Is it an issue with clearance where the line passes under the city bypass? I.e. are they doing all the bits that "only" need wiring without addition work to raise bridges/lower tracks/etc?

 

[TrainViation]

Is it an issue with clearance where the line passes under the city bypass? I.e. are they doing all the bits that "only" need wiring without addition work to raise bridges/lower tracks/etc?

The borders railway was built with full electrification in mind, and there isn't any clearances that require intervention. Which is why it seems a bit stupid to not fully electrify down to the last station before the big desolate gap until Stow and Galashiels.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The borders railway was built with full electrification in mind, and there isn't any clearances that require intervention. Which is why it seems a bit stupid to not fully electrify down to the last station before the big desolate gap until Stow and Galashiels.

That was my understanding. I am glad you have confirmed it.

 

[The exile]

Is it an issue with clearance where the line passes under the city bypass? I.e. are they doing all the bits that "only" need wiring without addition work to raise bridges/lower tracks/etc?

Or maybe thinking forward to the area being fully developed and Shawfair being the terminus of some fully electrified cross- Edinburgh service.
Or maybe as simple as the maximum that can be done as a simple extension with no extra feeds, neutral sections or indeed anything but a few more masts and wire.

 

[dcsprior]

The borders railway was built with full electrification in mind, and there isn't any clearances that require intervention. Which is why it seems a bit stupid to not fully electrify down to the last station before the big desolate gap until Stow and Galashiels.

Which'd also open up the possibility for having a 2tph Edinburgh-Gorebridge service operated with EMUs in addition to the existing 2tph Edinburgh-Tweedbank service which is planned to be operated by BEMUs

 

[Western Gaffer]

Which'd also open up the possibility for having a 2tph Edinburgh-Gorebridge service operated with EMUs in addition to the existing 2tph Edinburgh-Tweedbank service which is planned to be operated by BEMUs

Surely the six mile single-track stretch between Shawfair and Gorebridge is already pretty much at full capacity with 2tph in each direction?

 

[dcsprior]

Surely the six mile single-track stretch between Shawfair and Gorebridge is already pretty much at full capacity with 2tph in each direction?

Perhaps.

Actually, is that a potential reason for not electrifying that bit? IIRC it was built with provision for future doubling, and I'm guessing that electrifying would be investment that'd be abortive if they were to go back and double it?

 

[Western Gaffer]

Perhaps.

Actually, is that a potential reason for not electrifying that bit? IIRC it was built with provision for future doubling, and I'm guessing that electrifying would be investment that'd be abortive if they were to go back and double it?

Happy to be corrected but I was under the impression that electrification wasn't to be contingent on doubling (and hence the southern section proceeding)?

 

[mcmad]

The borders railway was built with full electrification in mind, and there isn't any clearances that require intervention. Which is why it seems a bit stupid to not fully electrify down to the last station before the big desolate gap until Stow and Galashiels.

It was built with full electrification to the standards in place at the time but the standards have moved and clearances increase so there may be issues with clearances that were 'just fine' at the time but now fall into another pot. Nothing is impossible but there seems to be a focus on doing the easy bits first as seen in Fife.

 

[hwl]

Isn't this potentially over reading press releases?
This is effectively focusing on 3 weekend closures for max ~2route miles of piling (realistically the trickier piles that can't be done over night).

The scope of electrification is effectively both ends but not the middle of the route so the trains have 7-8miles of electric running to/from the terminus (and the time in terminus to recharge).