Decarbonisation of Scotland’s Railways

[route101]

Glasgow Central Facebook page posted a link to a questionnaire on East Kilbride electrification works. It outlined the timescale of the works . Such as shutting the line from 9pm and at weekends for works. One question asked if you prefer a full closure over a shorter timeframe such as a year or over a longer timeframe with weekend/after 9pm closures. They dates they suggested were from 2023 to 2025.

 

[Scotrail84]

Fife getting wired is a massive undertaking that will cost millions and millions, a lot of obstacles in the way, mainly the FRB for starters. Edinburgh airport, if a plane flies too low it will take the OHL with it.

 

[clc]

The next key projects across Scotland that we will take forward in the coming years are detailed below. In addition to these committed projects, more are under consideration, subject to further development of their business case and the method of funding.

Commenced​

• Aberdeen Station Improvements
• Cadder Yard
• Carstairs strategic renewals
• *East Kilbride Improvements (including Electrification)
• *Levenmouth Branch Reopening, and Electrification for Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) operation
• *Motherwell Station Improvements

Committed​

• *25kV Feeder Stations to support the Rolling Programme of Electrification and Decarbonised Rolling Stock Deployment
• Aberdeen to Central Belt Improvements
• *Borders - Partial Electrification to enable Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) replacement of diesel rolling stock
• Dalcross Freight Facility
• Dunkeld Station Improvement Scheme (linked to A9 Dualling)
• East Linton - New Station
• *Electrification of Barrhead Corridor
• Fort William train cleaning facility
• Forth Bridge Walk Experience
• *Haymarket to Dalmeny Electrification to support Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) services to Leven
• *Infrastructure clearance to run larger freight containers and electrified rolling stock
• Inverness Caledonian Sleeper Accommodation Works
• *Inverness Station Masterplan
• *Perth Station Enhancement
• Portobello Junction to Newcraighall Improvements
• Reston - New Station
• Rolling Programme of Electrification - development of future phases, to align with life-expiry of current ScotRail diesel fleets e.g. High Speed Trains's by 2031
• Schemes to facilitate A9 Dualling
• Signalling enhancements (south of Perth) for faster passenger journey times
• Station Accessibility Projects at Aviemore, Nairn, Pitlochry, Kingussie
• Stirling Station Improvement
• Track realignment (north of Perth) for higher linespeeds and performance benefits
• *Waverley Masterplan - Development of Phase 1 (of 2)
• West of Fife Enhancements (Alloa to Longannet - Electrification and New Stations), linked to TALGO (bidder for HS2 contract)
• Winchburgh - New Station

*Projects detailed in STPR2 Phase 1

Under active consideration​

• Aberdeen to Central Belt Electrification
• Aberdeen to Inverness Electrification
• Aberdeen to Inverness Improvements (Phase 2)
• Ayr Station Replacement/Renewal
• CP6 Enhancements Development Fund
• Delney Level Crossing Closure
• Dunblane-Hilton route clearance for future electrification
• Electrification - Ayrshire and Glasgow & South West
• Electrification - Dunfermline Queen Margaret to Longannet
• Electrification - Fife Circle
• Electrification - Fife to Perth & Dundee
• Far North and Kyle Lines Enhancements
• Highland Mainline Electrification
• Improvements at stations - Glasgow High Street, Anderston Station, Glasgow Central Low Level, SECC
• Improving the Value of the Far North Railway (Phases 1 , 2 & 3) - various capacity and journey time improvements
• Inverness Station Master plan
• Kyle Lines Enhancement
• Station Accessibility Project at Carstairs
• Waverley Masterplan - Development Phase 2 (of 2) West Highland Corridor Enhancement

Prioritisation of rail projects

We continue to make record investment in maintaining and improving our rail network.

www.transport.gov.scot

 

[InOban]

And this document clearly states that the wires will get to Dalmeny but will then be intermittent. Haymarket 's diesel fleet will be replaced by a battery - electric one.

 

[Rick1984]

Electrification - Ayrshire and Glasgow & South West

Disappointing this is in considered and not committed

 

[Aictos]

Two questions, 1. How are they funding the above works? Will they be relying on Westminster to help fund them, 2. If the Scots do declare independence, will such works still be funded by Westminster or will Holyrood have to find a way to fund those works?

 

[takno]

Two questions, 1. How are they funding the above works? Will they be relying on Westminster to help fund them, 2. If the Scots do declare independence, will such works still be funded by Westminster or will Holyrood have to find a way to fund those works?

1. They're paid for by the Scottish Government from the Scottish government's budget. Because the Scottish government has limited borrowing powers and taxes are largely levied and collected at Westminster level, the money mostly comes *via* Westminster.

2. Such works will be funded by Holyrood.

 

[Southsider]

Interesting that East Kilbride is ‘commenced’ whereas Barrhead is ‘committed’. It had been suggested on here that Barrhead would be done first.

 

[Aictos]

Any idea when Edinburgh Waverley will finish being a building site, it's been in various stages of construction for years.

 

[waverley47]

Any idea when Edinburgh Waverley will finish being a building site, it's been in various stages of construction for years.

Probably not for a while. All current construction has finished I think (citation needed, haven't been through in a while) but the current masterplan is in the works.

Waverley really needs a Reading style rebuild to accommodate the increase in pax over the coming decades, which is what the masterplan will aim to do. This won't start for another five years at least, at which point the station will be completely rebuilt over probably a decade, but that should be the last works for a while.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2021 ==

Two questions, 1. How are they funding the above works? Will they be relying on Westminster to help fund them, 2. If the Scots do declare independence, will such works still be funded by Westminster or will Holyrood have to find a way to fund those works?

Quick economics lesson. The UK government takes taxes centrally, and redistributes through the Barnet Formula. There are infinite exceptions to this, and infinite exceptions to those exceptions, but in principle, all tax goes through the treasury, and is then gifted to the devolved parliaments.

The Scottish parliament is free to spend that money however they want. At the moment, decarbonisation and transport seems to be high up on that agenda, but it comes out of the same pot as health and road upgrades for example.

After independence, that money will not go through London, and will instead be collected through the Scottish parliament, and it is still up to them to decide how to spend. It might be there is less money to go around, but it's likely that this will still be a priority over things such as nuclear weapons, so it will still be funded.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I don’t think they’re life expired if ScotRail have refurbished many sets fairly recently. Leave it to 2035 to talk about being life expired.

Are you joking? They’ll be forty seven!

 

[JModulo]

Are you joking? They’ll be forty seven!

The 101s were 47 when retired...

 

[waverley47]

The 101s were 47 when retired...

And anyone who traveled on these along the North Wales line in the 90s will tell you just how knackered they were when they were withdrawn.

The HSTs are a useful (if problematic) stopgap, but I'll be glad to see them replaced with something purpose built, and electric hauled, as soon as it's possible.

 

[Aictos]

Probably not for a while. All current construction has finished I think (citation needed, haven't been through in a while) but the current masterplan is in the works.

Waverley really needs a Reading style rebuild to accommodate the increase in pax over the coming decades, which is what the masterplan will aim to do. This won't start for another five years at least, at which point the station will be completely rebuilt over probably a decade, but that should be the last works for a while.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2021 ==



Quick economics lesson. The UK government takes taxes centrally, and redistributes through the Barnet Formula. There are infinite exceptions to this, and infinite exceptions to those exceptions, but in principle, all tax goes through the treasury, and is then gifted to the devolved parliaments.

The Scottish parliament is free to spend that money however they want. At the moment, decarbonisation and transport seems to be high up on that agenda, but it comes out of the same pot as health and road upgrades for example.

After independence, that money will not go through London, and will instead be collected through the Scottish parliament, and it is still up to them to decide how to spend. It might be there is less money to go around, but it's likely that this will still be a priority over things such as nuclear weapons, so it will still be funded.

Thank you for that more helpful response.

 

[route101]

Interesting that East Kilbride is ‘commenced’ whereas Barrhead is ‘committed’. It had been suggested on here that Barrhead would be done first.

Yes, I noticed that too. I thought they were both ongoing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Feb 2021 ==

Any idea when Edinburgh Waverley will finish being a building site, it's been in various stages of construction for years.

Yes, been like in that state since 2008 at least.

 

[MadMac]

Interesting that East Kilbride is ‘commenced’ whereas Barrhead is ‘committed’. It had been suggested on here that Barrhead would be done first.

I’m hearing from a source “in the know” who doesn’t open his mouth unless he’s sure of the facts that Barrhead will be first. Signal box there will close at Easter next year in preparation for this.

 

[clc]

There’s a lot more work to do on the EK route with double tracking etc so it wouldn’t be surprising if the wires reached Barrhead before EK.

 

[D6130]

There’s a lot more work to do on the EK route with double tracking etc so it wouldn’t be surprising if the wires reached Barrhead before EK.

Donkeys' years ago the East Kilbride branch was a through line, continuing via High Blantyre to Hamilton, with a triangular juction just North of Hamilton West. Most of the closed section is now built-over, but just imagine the different possibilities for electrified circular services to and from Glasgow Central that might have been possible had it not closed.

 

[Aictos]

Yes, I noticed that too. I thought they were both ongoing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Feb 2021 ==



Yes, been like in that state since 2008 at least.

With the master plan, are they planning more work on the platforms eg converting more bay platforms to though lines or just leaving the platforms as they are but working on other aspects of the station?

Yes I'm aware you've got the large waiting area with the LNER travel centre plus offices in the middle of the station.

 

[route101]

Donkeys' years ago the East Kilbride branch was a through line, continuing via High Blantyre to Hamilton, with a triangular juction just North of Hamilton West. Most of the closed section is now built-over, but just imagine the different possibilities for electrified circular services to and from Glasgow Central that might have been possible had it not closed.

Yes, would be a very useful link. East Kilbride could do with better links to other towns and better links to the stations within East Kilbride.

 

[waverley47]

With the master plan, are they planning more work on the platforms eg converting more bay platforms to though lines or just leaving the platforms as they are but working on other aspects of the station?

Yes I'm aware you've got the large waiting area with the LNER travel centre plus offices in the middle of the station.

The masterplan, and associated documentation, can be found here.

The plan is for a new through platform created from existing platforms 18 and 3. Additionally, the existing circulation space will be expanded, with the shops in the concourse outside of the main building going, and the platforms lengthened. New bay platforms at the London end.

Anything beyond that we simply don't know yet. It's in a stakeholder engagement at the moment, and eventually we'll see architectural drawings, but these won't be for another couple of years yet.

 

[snowball]

Press release:

East Kilbride electrification marks major green investment for Scotland’s Railway

Work will soon begin to lay foundations for overhead powerlines along the East Kilbride-Glasgow Central railway as part of a multi-million-pound investment in the route.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

 

[route101]

Press release:

East Kilbride electrification marks major green investment for Scotland’s Railway

Work will soon begin to lay foundations for overhead powerlines along the East Kilbride-Glasgow Central railway as part of a multi-million-pound investment in the route.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Makes me wonder if they have completed the vegetation clearance and ground investigations.

 

[JModulo]

Makes me wonder if they have completed the vegetation clearance and ground investigations.

Alot of clearance had been done when I lasted travelled in December between Barrhead and Glasgow.