Edinburgh electrification

[PaulLothian]

Meadowbank Loop - heads off to north of ECML at Abbeyhill, just after Calton Hill Tunnels - disconnected, but my daughter tells me there was some track on the trackbed till recently. Veered east off the Leith Central line just after the London Road, using the south-to-east arm of the multi-way junction, and rejoined the ECML at Piershill. The eastern part of this route forms part of the Powderhall route.

Had a temporary platform near Meadowbank Stadium, which I never saw, for last Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1986 - pic here http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_edin_...rt_railways_meadowbank_station_arrival_mc.htm

 

[Sgt Elvan]

How many trains go to powderhall now?

Not 100% sure, but I think the 'Binliner' trains make two return trips a day.

 

[scotsman]

How many trains go to powderhall now?

Just 'the bins' - the Powderhall - Oxwellmains Binliners

 

[route101]

Just 'the bins' - the Powderhall - Oxwellmains Binliners

Thats more frequent than i thought . What about the Leith Docks line? Do trains still use that ?

 

[90019]

Thats more frequent than i thought . What about the Leith Docks line? Do trains still use that ?

Yes, it still gets coal trains, mostly DBS ones, but I've seen at least one Freightliner 66 sitting in the yards with a train a couple of months back.

I don't pass it that regularly, but I quite often see something there either waiting to go across the level crossing or beyond it waiting to go into the docks.

 

[route101]

Yes, it still gets coal trains, mostly DBS ones, but I've seen at least one Freightliner 66 sitting in the yards with a train a couple of months back.

I don't pass it that regularly, but I quite often see something there either waiting to go across the level crossing or beyond it waiting to go into the docks.

Good to hear its still busy. Seen a Class 90 in platform 15/16 at Waverley a couple of weeks back anyone know why?

 

[Failed Unit]

Good to hear its still busy. Seen a Class 90 in platform 15/16 at Waverley a couple of weeks back anyone know why?

Testing the overhead before the Bathgate service starts? It hasn't really got used yet in anger.

 

[ainsworth74]

Seen a Class 90 in platform 15/16 at Waverley a couple of weeks back anyone know why?

Perhaps a thunderbird loco, or waiting for a sleeper later on in the day?

 

[MCR247]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but anyway, so does this mean, only one of the tunnels from Haymarket - Edinburgh is electrified right?

 

[me123]

At the moment, it's only the South lines that are electrified; (serving Platforms 3&4 at Haymarket). The North lines (I think they're called Y and Z at this point) are currently electrified up to Haymarket tunnels IIRC. Or course, there's no need for much more than that because the only electrified line until now has been the Midcalder Line to Carstairs and Lockerbie (and any trains to those stations need to use the South lines anyway).

The works will electrify the North Lines through platforms 1 and 2 as part of the Airdrie-Bathgate project (and in preparation for EGIP). Although the Airdrie-Bathgate trains will more often than not use Platforms 3 and 4, I suppose this allows a lot more operational flexibility for the significantly greater number of electric trains that will be passing through Haymarket.

 

[90019]

Good to hear its still busy. Seen a Class 90 in platform 15/16 at Waverley a couple of weeks back anyone know why?

I saw 90036 sitting there on the 19th September.

Not a great photo, it was taken on my phone.

 

[route101]

Testing the overhead before the Bathgate service starts? It hasn't really got used yet in anger.

Maybe that . It was a FSR 90. Gone are the days when a class 318 was at Waverley

 

[90019]

It was a FSR 90.

If it was 019, I won't be best pleased

 

[scotsman]

Good to hear its still busy. Seen a Class 90 in platform 15/16 at Waverley a couple of weeks back anyone know why?

It would have been when the East Coast was shut.

 

[MacCookie]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but anyway, so does this mean, only one of the tunnels from Haymarket - Edinburgh is electrified right?

There are five tunnels between Waverley and Haymarket.

Mound Tunnels Z and W and Haymarket South Tunnel were electrified as part of the ECML electrification.

The Central Mound Tunnel (lines Y and X) were electrified as part of the Waverley remodelling required for A-B.

Haymarket North Tunnel is being electrified as part of EGIP.

The works will electrify the North Lines through platforms 1 and 2 as part of the Airdrie-Bathgate project (and in preparation for EGIP). Although the Airdrie-Bathgate trains will more often than not use Platforms 3 and 4, I suppose this allows a lot more operational flexibility for the significantly greater number of electric trains that will be passing through Haymarket.

The electrification of the Haymarket North Tunnel is not required as part of A-B. It's part of EGIP.

Seen a Class 90 in platform 15/16 at Waverley a couple of weeks back anyone know why?

Was stabled there as the east bays were part of a possession.

Ewan

 

[tbtc]

If it was 019, I won't be best pleased

Do you like 90019? I hadn't noticed

 

[90019]

Do you like 90019? I hadn't noticed

I think it's avoiding me, I last saw it in 2008

 

[me123]

The electrification of the Haymarket North Tunnel is not required as part of A-B. It's part of EGIP.

I was under the impression (perhaps wrongly) that electrifying the North tunnel would also provide a diversionary route for Bathgate services and allow a degree of operational flexibility when electric services start, hence why it's being done now. Although, of course, EGIP will be where the main benefits lie.

 

[MacCookie]

I was under the impression (perhaps wrongly) that electrifying the North tunnel would also provide a diversionary route for Bathgate services and allow a degree of operational flexibility when electric services start, hence why it's being done now. Although, of course, EGIP will be where the main benefits lie.

Haymarket North Tunnel electrification is part of EGIP, but will provide operational flexibility for A-B services, once it's electrified, however it's simply a "nice to have" rather than being "required". The central Mound Tunnel on the other hand was required for A-B as there isn't enough capacity through the north and south tunnels.

Incidentally, AFAIA, they're only doing preliminary track work just now. I don't think electrification is included within the current package of works:
http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/thread/220508/page1/

Ewan

 

[robertclark125]

Another reason why the North Tunnel will get wired is that the Fife Circle is on a plan to be electrified. This is obviously a long time away, but NR did issue plans in a rail magazine, that showed the Fife Circle in tier 3 for the wires. The Edinburgh - Glasgow QS shuttle was tier 2. There would therefore be a case to wire up the north tunnel. Also ideal for ECS movements.

 

[Scotrail84]

How many trains go to powderhall now?

1 a day i think. Just the bins

 

[MacCookie]

Another reason why the North Tunnel will get wired is that the Fife Circle is on a plan to be electrified. This is obviously a long time away, but NR did issue plans in a rail magazine, that showed the Fife Circle in tier 3 for the wires. The Edinburgh - Glasgow QS shuttle was tier 2. There would therefore be a case to wire up the north tunnel. Also ideal for ECS movements.

Haymarket North Tunnel is required for EGIP, as some Edinburgh to Glasgow trains will go via Gogar and the new Winchburgh Chord.

Fife electrification is part of Transport Scotland's National Electrification Programme from STPR - Stage 3 I think. EGIP is Stage 1, Glasgow suburban lines are Stage 2.

Ewan

 

[route101]

When the Queen st to Edinburgh is electrified can expect 380s or a new EMU ?

 

[Failed Unit]

Haymarket North Tunnel is required for EGIP, as some Edinburgh to Glasgow trains will go via Gogar and the new Winchburgh Chord.

Fife electrification is part of Transport Scotland's National Electrification Programme from STPR - Stage 3 I think. EGIP is Stage 1, Glasgow suburban lines are Stage 2.

Ewan

I hope that proposal never happens. I don't understand it. Edinburgh Park has a tram stop for interchange so why lengthen the journey and provide a detour to connect with a tram system that uses an existing station!

 

[sprinterguy]

When the Queen st to Edinburgh is electrified can expect 380s or a new EMU ?

From what others have said, it sounds like the Edinburgh to Glasgow fast service will be receiving new 125mph EMUs designed more for that sort of provincial work, so they'll be different from the 380s (Unless the train order is descoped at some point prior to an order being placed).

 

[MacCookie]

From what others have said, it sounds like the Edinburgh to Glasgow fast service will be receiving new 125mph EMUs designed more for that sort of provincial work, so they'll be different from the 380s (Unless the train order is descoped at some point prior to an order being placed).

125mph? That's not what the Minister originally announced.

As for 380s -
1. Will the specification from TS allow for 380s?
2. Will Siemens offer 380s or a new design?
3. Will Siemens win the order?

Ewan

 

[PaulLothian]

I hope that proposal never happens. I don't understand it. Edinburgh Park has a tram stop for interchange so why lengthen the journey and provide a detour to connect with a tram system that uses an existing station!

I seem to remember reading somewhere that this would also help in setting paths on E-G. And of course Edinburgh Park is only accessible from the north by going into Edinburgh and changing.

 

[Failed Unit]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that this would also help in setting paths on E-G. And of course Edinburgh Park is only accessible from the north by going into Edinburgh and changing.

It could be a way of getting the extra path for the express train. But at the expense of slowing down the diverted service so much that no-one would use it! Even Glasgow has direct trains from December it would be interesting to see loadings. As for passengers from the north - we will see but I doubt the expresses will stop at gogar and the locals already use south gyle.

 

[route101]

I hope that proposal never happens. I don't understand it. Edinburgh Park has a tram stop for interchange so why lengthen the journey and provide a detour to connect with a tram system that uses an existing station!

Is that so services can stop at a Gogar Station for the airport. I think so . or it could be extra capicity.

 

[Failed Unit]

Is that so services can stop at a Gogar Station for the airport. I think so . or it could be extra capicity.

I struggle with it's usefulness for the airport. You will need to change onto a tram something you can do at Edinburgh Park anyway.

Extra capacity maybe. The non-stop service needs to pass a slower service somewhere so that will enable it. However if lets say the Edinburgh - Glasgow service that stops a Linlithgow and Polmont was diverted. The time penalty would force Edinburgh - Linlithgow passengers onto the now quicker Stirling train so the diversion will almost certainly cause more losers than winners.