has anyone got recent photos of the progress on this new link?
and also does anyone know when the new bathgate station will open
thanks
i heard it was due to open before decemeber ? but not the exact date
not meny new pictures on railscot![]()
but the existing station will need to be closed and the line removed ?
The new Bathgate station is nearing completion and is to be "open" by Monday 27 September, operating as a terminushas anyone got recent photos of the progress on this new link?
and also does anyone know when the new bathgate station will open
Hi, on a slightly different note I have just been looking at the official website for the rail link and have just read that there will be an increase from 4 to 6 tph from Airdrie and Coatbridge to Glasgow. Does anyone have any more info on this as I was led to believe that the service pattern westwards would remain untouched. Also if anyone knows the stopping patterns and destinations of the extra 2tph? I can only presume that 2 will be the peak hour Mon-Fri express services running all day although I am not certain. Any info will be appreciated
has anyone got recent photos of the progress on this new link?
and also does anyone know when the new bathgate station will open
thanks
From what I have been told the 320's will also be making the journey to Bathgate, hence the speed upgrade and inclusion of toilets.
Apparently toilets have to be fitted on trains travelling over a certain distance.
Only the Class 334 units will be permitted on the new route, as they are fitted with a CCTV version of the DOO equipmentFrom what I have been told the 320's will also be making the journey to Bathgate, hence the speed upgrade and inclusion of toilets.
Apparently toilets have to be fitted on trains travelling over a certain distance.
Not what I heard. I heard that the upgrade was to allow them to go onto the Argyle Line, where such speeds are required/desirable for the Lanark section in particular. The toilets are being fitted for this purpose as well; the run to Lanark (at about an hour) is considerably longer than the 20 minutes to Airdrie or 40 minutes to Helensburgh that the units currently do.
Only the Class 334 units will be permitted on the new route, as they are fitted with a CCTV version of the DOO equipment
Eight Class 320 units will take over from the Class 318 units on Dalmuir - Motherwell route, eventually all the units will be converted throughout 2011
The speed increase is for the Argyle line, the toilets are for longer runs, which seems strange as the 320's run far longer than 40 minutes already. Balloch to Queen street is 50 minutes. All the way to Airdrie is just over 75 min
I'm aware; I use the trains almost daily over term time! I'm actually surprised that the end-end runs don't warrant toilets. However, it may be because very few people use the line from end-end. From the Airdrie, Coatbridge and East Glasgow end, few people stay on the train past Charing Cross and almost all are off by Anniesland. From the West, most people are actually off the train by High Street. So you've rarely got people doing the full run. Maybe that's why they don't currently warrant toilets? (Just specualtion on my part). Perhaps the Lanark runs (at about an hour from Lanark to Glasgow) are long enough on that leg of the journey to require toilets?
I don't disagree that, with the upgrade, the units could be used Airdrie-Bathgate. Of course, with a toilet and the necessary speed upgrades, they'll soon be suitable trains (in spite of my loathing of them, and with the exception of the aforementioned DOO CCTV issues, which could easily be fixed). However, as far as I'm aware, it will be 334s for the most part, with 320s operating some Airdrie and Springburn terminators, and also assisting 318s on the Argyle Line.
Whilst they are getting their toilet mod and re-livery it would not take much to install CCTV for the coaches similar to the 334's. They are going to be away for around 3 months.
I'm afraid it would take "much" - a lot of money for the kit, several thousand pounds per unit, plus a lot of new wiring through the train. The total cost with installation, safety approvals, etc., would be prohibitive for a "nice to have". No need when there's plenty of Class 334's to run the service, I understand it's their priority route.