Fire at Glasgow Central (08/03/26)

[The Planner]

Worth bearing in mind that a block of that magnitude would have taken 2-3 years to plan and deliver if not in a scenario such as this.

 

[35B]

Worth bearing in mind that a block of that magnitude would have taken 2-3 years to plan and deliver if not in a scenario such as this.

Which makes it the more impressive that the opportunity was taken so effectively.

 

[zwk500]

Worth bearing in mind that a block of that magnitude would have taken 2-3 years to plan and deliver if not in a scenario such as this.

Was one already being worked on that they could rush up?

 

[The Planner]

Was one already being worked on that they could rush up?

Not that I know of, otherwise you would have had a known timetable pretty much from day 2 or 3.

 

[Chriso]

Good to hear there has been much work done during the closure . Good work Network Rail

 

[alxndr]

Was one already being worked on that they could rush up?

It was all done on the fly. The first couple of days in there were fairly quiet as there wasn’t the resources to do much at the drop of a hat, then got busier and busier as people got themselves organised.

Additional work has also been achieved on the Cathcart Circle and Kirkhills as well as these have been shut a little longer.

 

[Horizon22]

Worth bearing in mind that a block of that magnitude would have taken 2-3 years to plan and deliver if not in a scenario such as this.

Outside of the very extreme circumstances that happened here, it proves how beneficial long (5+ day) blocks are versus sporadic weekend and overnight works.

 

[Bantamzen]

Glasgow Central closure provided 'rare' opportunity for engineers

As Glasgow Central was forced to close after a devastating fire on Union Street, engineers are said to have seized a “rare opportunity”.

www.glasgowtimes.co.uk

10 months worth of work if trains were running.

More than 108 tonnes of used rail were removed from the tracks on the approaches to the station, along with 73 old timber sleepers.

Meanwhile, more than 6200 square metres of vegetation was also cleared.

Extensive maintenance was undertaken on overhead line equipment around the station, inspecting 299 sections and carrying out a range of repairs to the wires, insulators, and other kit.

I've been know <cough>, from time to time, to sometimes give the railways a hard time for not being proactive or just being so slow moving. So credit where it's due, it's good to see NR used the closure to carry out these works.

 

[edwin_m]

I've been know <cough>, from time to time, to sometimes give the railways a hard time for not being proactive or just being so slow moving. So credit where it's due, it's good to see NR used the closure to carry out these works.

Indeed, kudos to NR for this. Most of the work seems to have been inspecting infrastructure and fixing any minor problems found, so not something that would have needed design work or advance planning.

 

[The exile]

Indeed, kudos to NR for this. Most of the work seems to have been inspecting infrastructure and fixing any minor problems found, so not something that would have needed design work or advance planning.

But thereby hopefully avoiding the need for much more expensive and disruptive work in the future. We shall of course never know….

 

[The Planner]

But thereby hopefully avoiding the need for much more expensive and disruptive work in the future. We shall of course never know….

People need to manage expectations with this. Work that could be quickly organised and resourced got done, however, its not as though you could suddenly bring forward a S&C renewal job in those timescales. There will still be a requirement at some point for disruptive work.

 

[The exile]

People need to manage expectations with this. Work that could be quickly organised and resourced got done, however, its not as though you could suddenly bring forward a S&C renewal job in those timescales. There will still be a requirement at some point for disruptive work.

Of course there will be- but everything they were able to do counts as a stitch in time that might save five or six, even if not the full nine. As I say, we’ll never know.

 

[InOban]

Removing discarded sleepers and lengths of rail plus devegetation is one thing. Having the opportunity to examine closely the condition of the OHLE and S&C is quite another and should deliver longer term benefits with targeted maintenance

 

[alxndr]

Removing discarded sleepers and lengths of rail plus devegetation is one thing. Having the opportunity to examine closely the condition of the OHLE and S&C is quite another and should deliver longer term benefits with targeted maintenance

Removing the scrap potentially frees up machines for other work in the future, as well as making it a safer place to work. Cutting back vegetation, especially where it’s near signals and too close to the OLE to do it without an isolation is a big help; especially now that we’re heading into spring and leaves are coming back on the trees.

 

[kez19]

Credit due they have done well, if I am being honest (not used Central in a while), but for going in it was easy (I noted I used the Hope Street stairs entrance (never used that before), and then on way back I came down the ramp? (I’m guessing that’s the ramp used on special occasions?)

I’ve attached a couple of mines from today in terms of Central Station

 

[swt_passenger]

Credit due they have done well, if I am being honest (not used Central in a while), but for going in it was easy (I noted I used the Hope Street stairs entrance (never used that before), and then on way back I came down the ramp? (I’m guessing that’s the ramp used on special occasions?)

I’ve attached a couple of mines from today in terms of Central Station

Thanks for the updated pictures. I’m guessing they don’t really know exactly what they’ll find when they investigate the interface with neighbouring property’s walls, I bet there’ll be all sorts of surprises. Would they have just build against whoever came first? Looks like there’s a few blanked off windows and similar.

 

[bcarmicle]

I'm surprised that Network Rail could pull together teams for track work that quickly; wouldn't the other work they'd have been assigned to be difficult to reschedule if possessions had been booked?

 

[The exile]

Credit due they have done well, if I am being honest (not used Central in a while), but for going in it was easy (I noted I used the Hope Street stairs entrance (never used that before), and then on way back I came down the ramp? (I’m guessing that’s the ramp used on special occasions?)

I’ve attached a couple of mines from today in terms of Central Station

A sadly appropriate name for the demolition contractors!

 

[kez19]

Thanks for the updated pictures. I’m guessing they don’t really know exactly what they’ll find when they investigate the interface with neighbouring property’s walls, I bet there’ll be all sorts of surprises. Would they have just build against whoever came first? Looks like there’s a few blanked off windows and similar.

Being honest I only took them on the off chance

 

[alxndr]

I'm surprised that Network Rail could pull together teams for track work that quickly; wouldn't the other work they'd have been assigned to be difficult to reschedule if possessions had been booked?

A lot of the work was done using staff that were available during dayshifts. Work done during dayshifts is usually non-distruptive and can be easily rescheduled.

 

[kez19]

A sadly appropriate name for the demolition contractors!

Indeed what I will add this included myself, people coming from Hope Street to turn right towards Union Street (it’s blocked off), I thought you could walk alongside the demolition (I’m familiar with the street layout as a non local), but it did throw people off, had to go through a side street to get back onto Union Street as far as the closure is (just to make people aware for time being)

There is also a no drone flying/allowed sign beyond that point too (Union Street), was surprised to see that one!

 

[styles]

There is also a no drone flying/allowed sign beyond that point too (Union Street), was surprised to see that one!

There is no legally enforceable flight restriction zone over the station or its surroundings.

Whatever dodgy signs landowners have put up saying otherwise are unenforceable. Obviously they're likely to cause confrontation, and drone pilots also need to avoid conflict with other air raft, before anyone jumps in with that).

 

[Russel]

There is no legally enforceable flight restriction zone over the station or its surroundings.

Whatever dodgy signs landowners have put up saying otherwise are unenforceable. Obviously they're likely to cause confrontation, and drone pilots also need to avoid conflict with other air raft, before anyone jumps in with that).

Enforcing it would require locating the drone operator first!

 

[kez19]

There is no legally enforceable flight restriction zone over the station or its surroundings.

Whatever dodgy signs landowners have put up saying otherwise are unenforceable. Obviously they're likely to cause confrontation, and drone pilots also need to avoid conflict with other air raft, before anyone jumps in with that).

I’m unsure who put the sign in place of no drone flying (sign was similar to “road ahead closed”)

 

[d70g]

There is no legally enforceable flight restriction zone over the station or its surroundings.

Whatever dodgy signs landowners have put up saying otherwise are unenforceable. Obviously they're likely to cause confrontation, and drone pilots also need to avoid conflict with other air raft, before anyone jumps in with that).

Signs are probably left over from the firefighting / dampdown.

Per Glasgow Times, 12 March: Airspace restrictions above the site of a fire-ravaged building in Glasgow city centre have now been lifted.

Police confirmed that the temporary restrictions on drones being flown over the site on Union Street are no longer in place.
Earlier this week, the force issued a warning to drone pilots and operators planning to fly near Glasgow Central Station and the partially collapsed building, stressing that unmanned aircraft must stay out of the area.
At the time, pilots were warned that it was an offence to fly over an ongoing emergency response.

 

[158715]

Credit due they have done well, if I am being honest (not used Central in a while), but for going in it was easy (I noted I used the Hope Street stairs entrance (never used that before), and then on way back I came down the ramp? (I’m guessing that’s the ramp used on special occasions?)

I’ve attached a couple of mines from today in terms of Central Station

Yes, they said that ramp is used for special events although I've never actually noticed that happening. It's a good way of getting people in and out and it's interesting to see it.

 

[kez19]

Yes, they said that ramp is used for special events although I've never actually noticed that happening. It's a good way of getting people in and out and it's interesting to see it.

Yeah I was surprised if I’m honest anytime I’ve used Central it’s always been the front or few months back was Union Street itself.

 

[Bald Rick]

I'm surprised that Network Rail could pull together teams for track work that quickly; wouldn't the other work they'd have been assigned to be difficult to reschedule if possessions had been booked?

in a block of this nature the collegues involved will be much more productive, and you will get s lot of work done each shift. Especially with works in daylight where it’s easier to see what you‘re doing.

 

[CEN60]

Yes, they said that ramp is used for special events although I've never actually noticed that happening. It's a good way of getting people in and out and it's interesting to see it.

Used for segregating Rangers & Celtic fans when matches are played at Hampden. In recent years Rangers fans have been queued in the Carriage Drive and walked to Mount Florida Specials.

 

[edwin_m]

There is no legally enforceable flight restriction zone over the station or its surroundings.

Whatever dodgy signs landowners have put up saying otherwise are unenforceable. Obviously they're likely to cause confrontation, and drone pilots also need to avoid conflict with other air raft, before anyone jumps in with that).

As far as I'm aware unlicensed drone operators wouldn't be able to fly here at any time, due to the rules on separation from other people. Those with a license allowing them to fly legally in this area would hopefully be more aware of the risks, and perhaps wary of losing their licence although that may not be possible if there's no legal enforcement.