Fife Rail Electrification/Decarbonisation

[MadMac]

Line closures coming in October: https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/ne...unces-scotrail-closures-fife-october/?ref=rss

I think the ”signalling“ component will be replacement of the audio frequency track circuits which are incompatible with electrification. This will also necessitate installation of insulated joints.

 

[TrainViation]

I think the ”signalling“ component will be replacement of the audio frequency track circuits which are incompatible with electrification. This will also necessitate installation of insulated joints.

Does this mean that there’s nothing to do with removing existing semaphore signals? I would’ve thought it would be an ideal time to do that during a blockade.

 

[ajwffc]

Does this mean that there’s nothing to do with removing existing semaphore signals? I would’ve thought it would be an ideal time to do that during a blockade.

Probably not as the semaphores will be at the extremities of the shutdowns at Cupar and Hilton

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Came across this item on SP Energy Network site about the supply from Glenrothes S/Stn to the new NR Thornton North Feeder station.

https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/...rnton_north_substation_underground_cable.aspx

Has a map of the cable route and an update that works were to be completed by May 2026 although probably not energisation.

 

[DesDobramento]

A worksite has been created on the north side of Cardenden station. This could be in connection with planned work on the rail-over-road bridge there in Autumn 2026 and/or the nine-month station footbridge project which will presumably - and sadly! - see the loss of the current one with its unusual ‘Z’ rather than ‘U’ shaped ‘footprint‘. Hopefully a local Fife preservation site - Kirkland or perhaps Lathalmond? - is on the alert!

 

[TrainViation]

Big increase of portal structure frames at Thornton Junction in the past week, they seem to mostly be on the left side of the junction on the mainline, just after the line to Thornton from Leven and Markinch branches off. I’ll try and get a photo when I can.

Edit/Update: There are now a lot of those frames next to where the Leven line splits off.

 

[HamBuoy]

Network Rail have this short video about the bridge replacement at Cardenden as part of the Fife Electrification project.

 

[37025]

Noticed whilst driving through town today a lot more masts have been erected in the last few weeks between Starks Park and Kirkcaldy station.
Also the first masts on the other side of the station have gone up near the SPL Powerlines compound as shown below:

800111 approaches Kirkcaldy on 1E25 from Aberdeen-London Kings Cross

 

[Frankton Junct]

A notice at Dundee station, photographed on Saturday:



Fife Electrification
Temporary changes to services

From 10 to 28 October 2026, parts of the railway between
Edinburgh and Fife will close to deliver extensive engineering work
over a 16 day period as part of a major investment in the railway.

During this time, engineers will work around-the-clock to lower sections of track and remove and rebuild bridges - essential work to create the space required to install new overhead line equipment.

The Fife Electrification project is a £311.5 million investment by the Scottish Government, forming the next phase on modernising Scotland's Railway.

Rail services will be impacted during this work, with trains using alternative routes or being replaced by buses.

Across Fife, around 118km of railway will be electrified, enabling the introduction of new battery electric trains, which will deliver:

• increased capacity
• improved reliability
• more accessible journeys
• greater comfort
• more sustainable travel.

What this means for passengers

Services will be affected at verious stages throughout the 18 day period, with trains either operating via alternative routes or being replaced by buses.

Impacted routes:
Edinburgh - Perth & Dundee
Edinburgh - Aberdeen
Edinburgh - Leven
Fife Circle

We're asking passengers to check their journeys for changes and leave extra time for travel.
Cross border services will also be affected during this time.

Normal rail services will return on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

Further information on service alterations can be found at nationalrail.co.uk.

Contact
If you have any queries relating to the works, please contact
X @NetworkRailSCOT
Ph: 03457 11 41 41

Find out more on the Fife electrification project at www.scotlandsrailway.com.

 

[AMD]

As announced on 10th July - https://scotlandsrailway.com/projects/fife-electrification -

Inverkeithing & Thornton North (via Kirkcaldy): 10 to 20 October
Thornton North, Cupar & Hilton Junction: 20 to 24 October
Lochgelly & Glenrothes: 24 to 28 October

 

[GRALISTAIR]

When I see notices of this sort go up, it really excites and encourages me. Great news.

 

[37025]

A few phone snaps on the way to work this morning of the masts that went up last night close to the site of Dysart station.

 

[vic-rijrode]

A few phone snaps on the way to work this morning of the masts that went up last night close to the site of Dysart station.

Presumably the mast in the first photo playing peek-a-boo will need to have the tree cut back...

 

[AMD]

Presumably the mast in the first photo playing peek-a-boo will need to have the tree cut back...

It looks like there will be a tree cutting session sometime either during the October block or over the winter, as there's a whole load of foilage at Thornton Junction needing dealt with too....

 

[och aye]

Video explaining the works for the Bennochy Road bridge replacement in Kirkcaldy.

 

[TrainViation]

A friend of mine received this letter about the forthcoming works later this year and details regarding what is happening. This looks to be a major progress bump for the project!

 

[najaB]

A friend of mine received this letter about the forthcoming works later this year and details regarding what is happening. This looks to be a major progress bump for the project!

With all the 24-hour working it looks like they're making the most of this closure. Much better than trying to do things piecemeal over a long series of 6 or 8 hour overnight closures!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Yes first paragraph- installation of piles at multiple locations. Great news.

 

[TrainViation]

Yes first paragraph- installation of piles at multiple locations. Great news.

When I emailed NR asking about when the piling for north of Thornton Junction would begin, they got back to me and said January 2027.

I can pretty much guarantee this closure will mean piles will start going in the ground on the Thornton - Cardenden section of the line for phase 3.

Though I do hope that some piles will be added north of Thornton during the closure.

I also hope we get another cab ride video soon showing Haymarket Dalmeny, and Seafield to Leven. Just to see the full project in swing for the first time in a little while.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

When I emailed NR asking about when the piling for north of Thornton Junction would begin, they got back to me and said January 2027.

Well that is only 3-4 months off anyway so still great news imho.

 

[TrainViation]

Just a question for the upcoming Leven station mast erections next month, will Leven be the first island-platform station to be electrified since the introduction of Series 2 OLE in Scotland?

 

[59CosG95]

Just a question for the upcoming Leven station mast erections next month, will Leven be the first island-platform station to be electrified since the introduction of Series 2 OLE in Scotland?

Very probably. In fact I think it is, unless you count any stations with more than 2 platform faces (Stirling & Dunblane come to mind).
Leven *could* be using UKMS, which is basically S2 but with

• bits of Series 1;
• bits of Alstom's cLever range;
• bits of Siemens' SICAT SA range; and
• a whole new sub-range for Mk1 renewals based off the equipment used to upgrade the GEML in the 2010s.

 

[TrainViation]

Small update, I got a reply from Network Rail specifying that the passing loop just north of Kirkcaldy station will receive wires as well as the mainline.

 

[najaB]

Small update, I got a reply from Network Rail specifying that the passing loop just north of Kirkcaldy station will receive wires as well as the mainline.

Does the loop get used much these days? There used to be an early morning weekday train that would run up ECS and use the loop to turn before heading to Glasgow (of all places) but I don't see that in the timetable.

 

[TrainViation]

Does the loop get used much these days? There used to be an early morning weekday train that would run up ECS and use the loop to turn before heading to Glasgow (of all places) but I don't see that in the timetable.

I see the loop as more of an “if it’s needed it’s handy”, and if anything waits in there in the future, it can charge. It does make sense doing it now rather than going back later, as there wouldn’t really be much point.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I love small but sensible decisions like this.

 

[najaB]

I see the loop as more of an “if it’s needed it’s handy”, and if anything waits in there in the future, it can charge. It does make sense doing it now rather than going back later, as there wouldn’t really be much point.

Oh, I don't disagree. I was just wondering if it's used regularly as a genuine question.

 

[zwk500]

I see the loop as more of an “if it’s needed it’s handy”, and if anything waits in there in the future, it can charge. It does make sense doing it now rather than going back later, as there wouldn’t really be much point.

It's marked as a siding in the Sectional Appendix, rather than a Loop. The way it's drawn and signalled also suggests it's not meant to be used for through traffic.

However, wiring it is a good idea for both simplicity (no need for big 'Not Electrified' reminders!) and, as you say, 'handy to have around' type situations.

Oh, I don't disagree. I was just wondering if it's used regularly as a genuine question.

There doesn't seem to be anything booked into either end in RTT.

 

[najaB]

It's marked as a siding in the Sectional Appendix, rather than a Loop. The way it's drawn and signalled also suggests it's not meant to be used for through traffic.

I could be wrong, but I think in the days when services did the whole Fife circle it was used as a turnback siding from either end. That would make sense as to why it was kept when Kirkcaldy was rationalised and the other siding(s) were taken out.

 

[318266]

Does the loop get used much these days? There used to be an early morning weekday train that would run up ECS and use the loop to turn before heading to Glasgow (of all places) but I don't see that in the timetable.

The last time I saw it used was the Gosh Ness Monster railtour... which given it was the Branch Line Society that shouldn't surprise anyone!