East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[hux385]

I know the East Kilbride single platform was extendeda short way, but then with the new station building, I don't know whether any of that additional length had been eaten into (and it is nowhere near long enough for 8 car trains as mentioned above).

I also think the main thing preventing any increase in services is a lack of capacity around Glasgow Central. I know another platform at EK would enable trains to spend more turnaround time at EK and reduce platform occupancy at Glasgw Central, but I still don't know if this would be enough capacity unlocked to run more services?

 

[OB23Gone]

Looking at RTT today the test run seems to have gone pretty much to plan

 

[SC318250]

Looks like it was 380015/021 that did test runs or 380021 on its own.
Think tonights run might be a 385 as the unit tonight forms the 0705 Gourock in the morning

 

[ILikeTrains1]

Scotrail have just put on their social that a class, 380 and 385 ran successfully, does that mean the 385 may also be running the EK services?

 

[380101]

Scotrail have just put on their social that a class, 380 and 385 ran successfully, does that mean the 385 may also be running the EK services?

The 385 run was purely for route clearance purposes. There is no plan to run 385s in service on the route anytime soon.

 

[Southsider]

The 385 run was purely for route clearance purposes. There is no plan to run 385s in service on the route anytime soon.

Now that test trains have run, are there formal approvals required before passenger trains can operate?

 

[hexagon789]

Now that test trains have run, are there formal approvals required before passenger trains can operate?

If its like Barrhead, there were handling runs as I recall.

Presumably to give driver's hands-on experience of the different acceleration and braking profile and match it to the EK branch.

 

[380101]

If its like Barrhead, there were handling runs as I recall.

Presumably to give driver's hands-on experience of the different acceleration and braking profile and match it to the EK branch.

There was no "handling runs" carried out on the Barrhead line. All drivers that signed the route (Dumfries and Stranraer exlcuded) signed 380s, so no requirement to do any train handling prior to the 380s taking over from the 156s.

 

[hexagon789]

There was no "handling runs" carried out on the Barrhead line. All drivers that signed the route (Dumfries and Stranraer exlcuded) signed 380s, so no requirement to do any train handling prior to the 380s taking over from the 156s.

Apologies, either someone mis-labelled the test runs last time or I've misremembered.

And yes, I was aware all drivers who sign Barrhead/EK also signed 380s already bar Dumfries and Stranraer.

 

[Southsider]

If its like Barrhead, there were handling runs as I recall.

Presumably to give driver's hands-on experience of the different acceleration and braking profile and match it to the EK branch.

I was thinking more of ORR approvals or the likes.

 

[MadMac]

If its like Barrhead, there were handling runs as I recall.

Presumably to give driver's hands-on experience of the different acceleration and braking profile and match it to the EK branch.

It’ll certainly be a different experience to struggling up the hill in a clapped out 116…..

 

[OB23Gone]

Apologies, either someone mis-labelled the test runs last time or I've misremembered.

And yes, I was aware all drivers who sign Barrhead/EK also signed 380s already bar Dumfries and Stranraer.

From what I "Remember" was 1 night test run/s and A Press/Dignitary Run

 

[nlogax]

Scotrail updated their YT channel with a 'first test run for electric trains on EK line' clip,

Looks to be a pair of 385s.

 

[380101]

Scotrail updated their YT channel with a 'first test run for electric trains on EK line' clip,

Looks to be a pair of 385s.

A 6 car 380 was used on the first test runs on the Monday night.

The 6 car 385 was used on the Tuesday night to do a run for route clearance purposes. The NR media team were on that run, hence the video.

 

[route101]

I wonder if we will see a 385 at some point, I suppose they are cleared, its an option.

 

[380101]

I wonder if we will see a 385 at some point, I suppose they are cleared, its an option.

Highly unlikely in the short to medium term, as it would require over 100 drivers at Ayr to be trained on them, ( this equates to 300 training days) and they won't do that when all drivers that have East Kilbride (apart from Dumfries who lose the route in December) sign the 380.

 

[snookertam]

A 385 could appear as a one off if it’s a crew who are able to work them, but probably unlikely.

 

[Kite159]

Hairmyres is an interesting station where the Glasgow bound side has barriers but the East Kilbride bound platform is open as the footbridge provides access for non rail users. I guess the theory is passengers will buy tickets to head towards Glasgow (or other stations on the line) so checking tickets on EK bound services isn't needed (and that EK has barriers).

Reminds me of one of the stations between Southend Central & Shoeburyness.

 

[Southsider]

“Once the timetable change is introduced, around 75 per cent of services between Glasgow Central and East Kilbride will be operated by electric trains, marking a significant step forward in Scotland’s ongoing rail decarbonisation programme.”

New timetable delivers electric trains to East Kilbride

ScotRail customers travelling between Glasgow Central and East Kilbride will benefit from the introduction of electric trains when the new timetable starts on Sunday, 14 December 2025.The introduction of modern four-carriage class 380 trains follows the major project – funded by the Scottish...

www.scotrail.co.uk

I'm sure I read previously that 25% would be electric, this is a major change if so.

 

[hexagon789]

“Once the timetable change is introduced, around 75 per cent of services between Glasgow Central and East Kilbride will be operated by electric trains, marking a significant step forward in Scotland’s ongoing rail decarbonisation programme.”

New timetable delivers electric trains to East Kilbride

ScotRail customers travelling between Glasgow Central and East Kilbride will benefit from the introduction of electric trains when the new timetable starts on Sunday, 14 December 2025.The introduction of modern four-carriage class 380 trains follows the major project – funded by the Scottish...

www.scotrail.co.uk

I'm sure I read previously that 25% would be electric, this is a major change if so.

RTT certainly suggested 2 out of 5 diagrams, 75% would suggest 3 out of 5 (possibly just the two peak extras remaining diesel).

 

[N1]

RTT certainly suggested 2 out of 5 diagrams, 75% would suggest 3 out of 5 (possibly just the two peak extras remaining diesel).

Or perhaps a slight difference between weekdays and weekends?

The changes to Cathcart Circle seems to be 318/320s covering more diagrams releasing 380s for EK?

 

[hexagon789]

Or perhaps a slight difference between weekdays and weekends?

Certainly the balance was more electric on weekends, but there are fewer diagrams then as well.

The changes to Cathcart Circle seems to be 318/320s covering more diagrams releasing 380s for EK?

Probably the only way it can be done without shortforming, as there's basically no spare capacity in the 380 on current diagrams; there is however some capacity in 318/320 diagrams.

 

[AMD]

The changes to Cathcart Circle seems to be 318/320s covering more diagrams releasing 380s for EK?

Also the daily requirement for 385s is going up by one, currently 64 required daily, will be 65 from December - this is to release a 380 from a current diagram.

 

[SC318250]

Or perhaps a slight difference between weekdays and weekends?

The changes to Cathcart Circle seems to be 318/320s covering more diagrams releasing 380s for EK?

Looks like a 6 car 318/320 coming from Shields to cover a 380/4 diagram, which will go on East Kilbride line.
This 6 car diagram does

Neilston
2 Cathcart Circles
Several Neilstons
1815 Wemyss Bay
Then a Gourock service before returning to Shields

 

[sannox]

Looks like a 6 car 318/320 coming from Shields to cover a 380/4 diagram, which will go on East Kilbride line.
This 6 car diagram does

Neilston
2 Cathcart Circles
Several Neilstons
1815 Wemyss Bay
Then a Gourock service before returning to Shields

Suggestion was more carriages on peak time Neilston trains. I presume that 318/320s running as 6 carriage shunts a 4 carriage 380 to EK?

 

[Farigiraf]

The original post on this thread from back in 2020 mentions 4tph on the line after electrification. Is this still happening, and if so, when?

 

[sannox]

The original post on this thread from back in 2020 mentions 4tph on the line after electrification. Is this still happening, and if so, when?

Would say it's unlikely give the changes in the interim. The reintroduction of the half hourly evening service (after 7/8pm) is most welcome however.

 

[hexagon789]

The original post on this thread from back in 2020 mentions 4tph on the line after electrification. Is this still happening, and if so, when?

The infrastructure can't support it, so definitely not happening any time soon.

(The double tracking was massively down-scoped.)

 

[MadMac]

The infrastructure can't support it, so definitely not happening any time soon.

(The double tracking was massively down-scoped.)

Correct. I still take the view that the original costing was predicated on “redoubling“: beyond Busby was never double. What now exists is pretty much all that can be reasonably done.

 

[route101]

Interesting to see how long the Class 156s stay on the EK branch.

No more 6 car workings once they have gone, I wonder what the shortfall is to a 4 car Class 380.