Hi all. I visited some locations on the Airdrie - Bathgate project on Wednesday 13th January 2010. Snow has lay quite deep in some places, though did not stop myself from capturing updates both showing progress and no progress being made. Full information and photographs can be read / seen in the text and links provided below.
Airdrie station:
Class 320 314 calls at platform 2 while working the 11.08 2H19 Drumgelloch - Helensburgh Central service. To the left is the former platform 3, a platform which will be reinstated and rebuilt from scratch as part of the A - B Project. Working on behalf of Network, Global Resourcing have commenced tree cutting work on and behind the former platform to make way for the commencement of the heavy construction work to rebuilt the platform:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916148.html
Tree cutting has been on going since Monday 11th January 2010. This view shows behind platform 3:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916149.html
A photograph of the Global Resourcing tree cutting machine at work behind platform 3 at Airdrie station:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916150.html
Global Resourcing workmen are seen carrying trees to the tree cutting machine behind platform 3 at Airdrie station:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916151.html
Caldercruix in the snow:
Two photographs looking east towards Blackrige and Armadale showing what will be Caldercruix station in the snow. No work was taking place here during my visit and I am guessing the cold weather is the reason why. You can clearly see in the two views where the new double track will be laid:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916153.html
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916154.html
Work was however taking place a little further west on the bridge prior to where Caldercruix station will be located. Again, you can clearly see where the new double track for the new railway line will be laid. The view looks west towards Plains and Drumgelloch:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916155.html
A view taken from Caldercruix looking west towards Plains and Drumgelloch:
The view shows the heavy amount of snow that has fell in the area and further west, which has caused delays to the project in terms of progression:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916156.html
Stepend Road Railway Bridge now in place (located between Plains and Caldercruix) - Major milestone in the A - B project:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916157.html
A closer view of the new bridge in place:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916158.html
A closer and different view of the new bridge in place:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916159.html
A Carillion worker is seen working on part of the new bridge:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916160.html
New double track will be laid here at Stepend Road located between Plains and Caldercruix. The view looks east in the snow towards Caldercruix:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916161.html
Drumgelloch - New station site in the snow. No work whatsoever taking place here at present. Again, I am guessing the snow has something to do with what was a busy worksite before Christmas, now being dormant for the time being:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916162.html
A closer view looking towards Plains from Crowwood Drive Road Bridge:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916147.html
Class 320 308 sits in the single platform at Drumgelloch in the snow waiting to work the 13.08 2H03 Drumgelloch - Helensburgh Central service. This station is scheduled for closure in Spring 2010 in order for work to commence on laying the new double track leading upto the new Drumgelloch station. The new station will be located approximately 550 yards east of the existing station:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916163.html
Uphall On Tuesday 12th January 2010:
Progression has been made on erecting Overhead Line portals in the area as part of the A - B project:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62907839.html
Class 31 106 + 233 approach Uphall with a radio survey test train, also passing the recently erected Overhead Line portals:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62907836.html
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62907837.html
Best Regards
Jonathan McGurk
Railway and Freelance Photographer
www.jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net
Airdrie station:
Class 320 314 calls at platform 2 while working the 11.08 2H19 Drumgelloch - Helensburgh Central service. To the left is the former platform 3, a platform which will be reinstated and rebuilt from scratch as part of the A - B Project. Working on behalf of Network, Global Resourcing have commenced tree cutting work on and behind the former platform to make way for the commencement of the heavy construction work to rebuilt the platform:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916148.html
Tree cutting has been on going since Monday 11th January 2010. This view shows behind platform 3:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916149.html
A photograph of the Global Resourcing tree cutting machine at work behind platform 3 at Airdrie station:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916150.html
Global Resourcing workmen are seen carrying trees to the tree cutting machine behind platform 3 at Airdrie station:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916151.html
Caldercruix in the snow:
Two photographs looking east towards Blackrige and Armadale showing what will be Caldercruix station in the snow. No work was taking place here during my visit and I am guessing the cold weather is the reason why. You can clearly see in the two views where the new double track will be laid:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916153.html
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916154.html
Work was however taking place a little further west on the bridge prior to where Caldercruix station will be located. Again, you can clearly see where the new double track for the new railway line will be laid. The view looks west towards Plains and Drumgelloch:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916155.html
A view taken from Caldercruix looking west towards Plains and Drumgelloch:
The view shows the heavy amount of snow that has fell in the area and further west, which has caused delays to the project in terms of progression:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916156.html
Stepend Road Railway Bridge now in place (located between Plains and Caldercruix) - Major milestone in the A - B project:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916157.html
A closer view of the new bridge in place:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916158.html
A closer and different view of the new bridge in place:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916159.html
A Carillion worker is seen working on part of the new bridge:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916160.html
New double track will be laid here at Stepend Road located between Plains and Caldercruix. The view looks east in the snow towards Caldercruix:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916161.html
Drumgelloch - New station site in the snow. No work whatsoever taking place here at present. Again, I am guessing the snow has something to do with what was a busy worksite before Christmas, now being dormant for the time being:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916162.html
A closer view looking towards Plains from Crowwood Drive Road Bridge:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916147.html
Class 320 308 sits in the single platform at Drumgelloch in the snow waiting to work the 13.08 2H03 Drumgelloch - Helensburgh Central service. This station is scheduled for closure in Spring 2010 in order for work to commence on laying the new double track leading upto the new Drumgelloch station. The new station will be located approximately 550 yards east of the existing station:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62916163.html
Uphall On Tuesday 12th January 2010:
Progression has been made on erecting Overhead Line portals in the area as part of the A - B project:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62907839.html
Class 31 106 + 233 approach Uphall with a radio survey test train, also passing the recently erected Overhead Line portals:
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62907836.html
http://jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net/p62907837.html
Best Regards
Jonathan McGurk
Railway and Freelance Photographer
www.jonathanmcgurk.fotopic.net