Airdrie-Bathgate service

[Failed Unit]

All stations open as well! Hope newbridge junction doesn't send the fear into the west of Glasgow now! How did they cope Thursday turn the services at Bathgate?

 

[rail-britain]

Airdrie-Bathgate goes half hourly tomorrow!

Saturdays have always been half hourly
However, Bathgate to Edinburgh loses its direct off-peak service now, the peak service temporarily retains Class 158 units

All the stations along the route are to be open by Monday, but not totally completed, hence the requirement for the increase in frequency
The temporary bus service also ceases

This puts more pressure on the partially accepted Class 380 fleet, which is still suffering issues
In the event any Class 380 fails then there will be no spare units available, so cancellations are likely

FSR was also facing a large fine for the lack of three services per hour, between Airdrie and Edinburgh (as the SPT services are exempt)
However, TS had agreed this would not apply (change the rules to suit yourself)

 

[ADRboy]

Is that because rail-britain has finally approved some more trains?

The oracle?

 

[me123]

FSR was also facing a large fine for the lack of three services per hour, between Airdrie and Edinburgh (as the SPT services are exempt)
However, TS had agreed this would not apply (change the rules to suit yourself)

I think that's a pretty fair amendment. They simply didn't have the trains to run the service, and I think we all know that it's not (entirely) their fault.

Anyway, I'm glad to see that 2tph will operate on the line from tomorrow onwards. This means that the line finally has a "usable" frequency to encourage commuting and leisure trips.

 

[Bittern]

Saturdays have always been half hourly

I already know that, given that the only time I've used the new services has been on a weekend. The service is now going half-hourly pretty much full-time (the exceptions being Sunday mornings and evenings), according to the ScotRail site.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

All the stations along the route are to be open by Monday

They're open now. Drumgelloch was the last to open and it did so today.

 

[rail-britain]

However, the new stations have still not been added to the LDB Vista module

 

[Damien1986]

Will that now mean more class 334's on this route and less on Argyle/Ayrshire/Inverclyde services?

 

[Bittern]

I've began to notice an increase on 318s on Argyle services in recent weeks.

 

[MadCommuter]

Will that now mean more class 334's on this route and less on Argyle/Ayrshire/Inverclyde services?

Strangely, the 1631 Dalmuir - Larkhall (the 1657 off GLA) is now 2x334. Previously it was a heavily loaded 1x318. I'm definitely not complaining though!

 

[Damien1986]

I've began to notice an increase on 318s on Argyle services in recent weeks.

So when will the class 320 units start appearing on Argyle Line services?

 

[rail-britain]

I've began to notice an increase on 318s on Argyle services in recent weeks.

Rebalancing of diagrams is now taking place
This will see predominantly Class 334 through Glasgow QS and Class 318 / 320 through Glasgow C
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

So when will the class 320 units start appearing on Argyle Line services?

As discussed previously, next timetable now

 

[Grendel]

I really want the railway to do well -if not just for the effect it's failure would have on future reopenings- but with the whole one TPH situation instead of the promised four and the immense fares mentioned above, I fear people will stick to the Falkirk mainline.

I'd also like to sidestep from the railway for a second and talk about the cycle path. If not for the lack of a variety of trains, the replacement path would likely prove to be an interesting place for enthusiasts. That said, I still intend to walk along the replacement when it opens. Does anyone have any ideas when this will be?

Some sections are up and running (Plains to Caldercruix) however one concern is that NR have apparently dumped the Drumgelloch to Plains section entirely, forcing cyclists on to one of the worst stretches of the A89.

As for Drumgelloch station, access here is truly awful, one entrance only, on the side to Edinburgh. No access from the Towers Road end (despite this land being purchased by NR for the scheme), no access from Station Road and no access from Craigneuk/Petersburn.
This could have been so much better.:mad:

 

[me123]

Are Motherwell drivers trained on the 320s yet? Indeed, has this even started? FWIW, regardless of what happens elsewhere, the full A-B timetable cannot go ahead until at least some 320s are on the Argyle Line.

 

[Bittern]

Curious. What is the highest linespeed between Airdrie and Bathgate and where?

 

[ianthescot]

Are Motherwell drivers trained on the 320s yet? Indeed, has this even started? FWIW, regardless of what happens elsewhere, the full A-B timetable cannot go ahead until at least some 320s are on the Argyle Line.

Training is starting to happen but with over 80 drivers requiring training which takes either 1 or 2 days dependent on whether already passed on 322s, it could take quite a while!

Also I don't believe that the Argyle line has been passed for 320 passenger services yet, hence only ECS goes through at the moment.

 

[rail-britain]

Also I don't believe that the Argyle line has been passed for 320 passenger services yet, hence only ECS goes through at the moment

Applies from 23 May 2010
Service Group HA06, Service 563 Argyle Line
Standard - Class 318
Additional - Class 334, Class 320
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

regardless of what happens elsewhere, the full A-B timetable cannot go ahead until at least some 320s are on the Argyle Line.

It is possible, once all the required numbers of Class 380 units have released the Class 318 and Class 334 units from the Ayrline
As above, diagrams could be rebalanced, but the numbers would be tight

 

[Damien1986]

Training is starting to happen but with over 80 drivers requiring training which takes either 1 or 2 days dependent on whether already passed on 322s, it could take quite a while!

Also I don't believe that the Argyle line has been passed for 320 passenger services yet, hence only ECS goes through at the moment.

There are improvements taking place aka refurbishment on the class 320 units
and the fact they run ECS through shows they will cope very well!

 

[me123]

Curious. What is the highest linespeed between Airdrie and Bathgate and where?

I believe it's 85mph, reached between Caldercruix and Blackridge. In addition, most of the rest of the line is up at 80mph, with slightly slower speeds just West of Bathgate. However, it goes up to 100mph between Newbridge Junction and Haymarket.

 

[MacCookie]

Applies from 23 May 2010
Service Group HA06, Service 563 Argyle Line
Standard - Class 318
Additional - Class 334, Class 320

And your point? Do you actually know what that means? Here's a hint for you: it's not what you think it means. If you knew what it meant, you wouldn't keep quoting from the Track Access Agreement!

Ewan

 

[Bittern]

Used a roundabout to get to Caldercruix today. The train was formed of two 334s, which between Airdrie and Caldercruix wasn't very full. May have been handy in Glasgow, but I wouldn't know as I got a Milngavie - Airdrie limited stop.

However, most of the buses I saw in the Caldercruix area from Airdire were empty, minus one which had about three people on it.

Of course, the weather was pure snowy there so that might've been a factor to low passenger numbers on both the train and bus. Some folk did use the train to get back towards Airdrie from Caldercruix, so that's nice. What're your experiences of passenger numbers since the half-hourly service was introduced?

Also, another very interesting note is that Caldercruix's station signs don't have Gaelic on them! I thought all new signs had to have the English and Gaelic names.

In reality, we're not far off from having the 15-minute frequency introduced. May's not a long time off now.

 

[rail-britain]

Bathgate - Edinburgh is incredibly busy mid-week and can be at weekends
Hence, why pairs of EMUs will become the norm at weekends

The weather clearly affected peoples movements yersterday, the M8 and M9 were very quiet compared to normal

I thought all new signs had to have the English and Gaelic names

No, it is optional and can be used where relevant; Glasgow QS and route to WHL, Inverness and routes north

 

[Bittern]

No, it is optional and can be used where relevant; Glasgow QS and route to WHL, Inverness and routes north

I'm sure that many people speak Gaelic in Easterhouse, Drumgelloch, Armadale and Blackridge.

 

[jopsuk]

there's just over 1% of the total population speak it. The mangling of the language to create Gaelic names for places that have never had them is ridiculous- especially where the place names have their roots in other languages.

 

[KBD1]

Hi Folks.

Long time reader, 1st time poster.

I travelled on the A - B line a couple of weeks ago, just to view the layout & scenery from Bathgate into Glasgow Low level.

What i am asking though, how do you pronounce the name of Caldercruix ?
I was under the impression it was "Caldercrew"
On the PA system, it was "Caldercrooks"
Whats your interpretation ?

Line must be busy at the weekends, as today i saw a few of the 3 car sets coupled together, every half hour.

 

[Bittern]

"Caldercooks" is correct.

 

[Nightrider]

Hi Folks.

Long time reader, 1st time poster.

I travelled on the A - B line a couple of weeks ago, just to view the layout & scenery from Bathgate into Glasgow Low level.

What i am asking though, how do you pronounce the name of Caldercruix ?
I was under the impression it was "Caldercrew"
On the PA system, it was "Caldercrooks"
Whats your interpretation ?

Line must be busy at the weekends, as today i saw a few of the 3 car sets coupled together, every half hour.

According to somebody that lives there, its Caldercrooks.

 

[Grendel]

there's just over 1% of the total population speak it. The mangling of the language to create Gaelic names for places that have never had them is ridiculous- especially where the place names have their roots in other languages.

The origin of Airdrie's name is not known for certain; however, given the topography of the area, the most likely interpretation is that it derives from the Gaelic An Àrd Ruigh meaning a level height or high pasture land. Another possibility is that it was taken from the Gaelic An Àrd Àirighe meaning a sheiling or wayside town.

Some of the names in and around the area are derived from Gaelic. Duntilland for example.

As a former resident of Caldercruix I can confirm it is indeed pronounced Calder-Crooks.

 

[PaulLothian]

A quick Googling of Caldercruix suggests "The village is situated by the North Calder Water, Hillend reservoir, and takes its name from the bends or crooks (cruix) in the river." The things you can learn from the Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary!

 

[rail-britain]

Line must be busy at the weekends, as today i saw a few of the 3 car sets coupled together, every half hour.

At weekends there are more units available and it is a simpler timetable
Equally, three Class 380 units now operate on a Saturday, which releases the required number of units to maintain all these services as pairs between Helensburgh and Edinburgh
This can then easily be converted to the four trains per hour on Saturdays
Once the next four Class 380 units are accepted then the entire timetable can be applied, but priority is being given to releasing the Class 322 units

 

[me123]

The origin of Airdrie's name is not known for certain; however, given the topography of the area, the most likely interpretation is that it derives from the Gaelic An Àrd Ruigh meaning a level height or high pasture land. Another possibility is that it was taken from the Gaelic An Àrd Àirighe meaning a sheiling or wayside town.

Some of the names in and around the area are derived from Gaelic. Duntilland for example.

As a former resident of Caldercruix I can confirm it is indeed pronounced Calder-Crooks.

You're all correct in the pronunciation of Caldercruix.

As for Airdrie, I was always lead to believe that the "level height" explanaition was correct. Airdrie apparently shares something in common with Rome; it's built on seven hills. I hasten to add that that's where the similarity ends! But I think the name comes from the "level height" within these hills.

For those moaning about the Gaelic signs, please do visit Airdrie (an excursion that will take all of 5 minutes) which still has some Gaelic street signs from the Mod.