Fife Rail Electrification/Decarbonisation

[MadMac]

Line closures coming in October: https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/ne...unces-scotrail-closures-fife-october/?ref=rss

I think the ”signalling“ component will be replacement of the audio frequency track circuits which are incompatible with electrification. This will also necessitate installation of insulated joints.

 

[TrainViation]

I think the ”signalling“ component will be replacement of the audio frequency track circuits which are incompatible with electrification. This will also necessitate installation of insulated joints.

Does this mean that there’s nothing to do with removing existing semaphore signals? I would’ve thought it would be an ideal time to do that during a blockade.

 

[ajwffc]

Does this mean that there’s nothing to do with removing existing semaphore signals? I would’ve thought it would be an ideal time to do that during a blockade.

Probably not as the semaphores will be at the extremities of the shutdowns at Cupar and Hilton

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Came across this item on SP Energy Network site about the supply from Glenrothes S/Stn to the new NR Thornton North Feeder station.

https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/...rnton_north_substation_underground_cable.aspx

Has a map of the cable route and an update that works were to be completed by May 2026 although probably not energisation.

 

[DesDobramento]

A worksite has been created on the north side of Cardenden station. This could be in connection with planned work on the rail-over-road bridge there in Autumn 2026 and/or the nine-month station footbridge project which will presumably - and sadly! - see the loss of the current one with its unusual ‘Z’ rather than ‘U’ shaped ‘footprint‘. Hopefully a local Fife preservation site - Kirkland or perhaps Lathalmond? - is on the alert!

 

[TrainViation]

Big increase of portal structure frames at Thornton Junction in the past week, they seem to mostly be on the left side of the junction on the mainline, just after the line to Thornton from Leven and Markinch branches off. I’ll try and get a photo when I can.

Edit/Update: There are now a lot of those frames next to where the Leven line splits off.

 

[HamBuoy]

Network Rail have this short video about the bridge replacement at Cardenden as part of the Fife Electrification project.

 

[37025]

Noticed whilst driving through town today a lot more masts have been erected in the last few weeks between Starks Park and Kirkcaldy station.
Also the first masts on the other side of the station have gone up near the SPL Powerlines compound as shown below:

800111 approaches Kirkcaldy on 1E25 from Aberdeen-London Kings Cross

 

[Frankton Junct]

A notice at Dundee station, photographed on Saturday:



Fife Electrification
Temporary changes to services

From 10 to 28 October 2026, parts of the railway between
Edinburgh and Fife will close to deliver extensive engineering work
over a 16 day period as part of a major investment in the railway.

During this time, engineers will work around-the-clock to lower sections of track and remove and rebuild bridges - essential work to create the space required to install new overhead line equipment.

The Fife Electrification project is a £311.5 million investment by the Scottish Government, forming the next phase on modernising Scotland's Railway.

Rail services will be impacted during this work, with trains using alternative routes or being replaced by buses.

Across Fife, around 118km of railway will be electrified, enabling the introduction of new battery electric trains, which will deliver:

• increased capacity
• improved reliability
• more accessible journeys
• greater comfort
• more sustainable travel.

What this means for passengers

Services will be affected at verious stages throughout the 18 day period, with trains either operating via alternative routes or being replaced by buses.

Impacted routes:
Edinburgh - Perth & Dundee
Edinburgh - Aberdeen
Edinburgh - Leven
Fife Circle

We're asking passengers to check their journeys for changes and leave extra time for travel.
Cross border services will also be affected during this time.

Normal rail services will return on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

Further information on service alterations can be found at nationalrail.co.uk.

Contact
If you have any queries relating to the works, please contact
X @NetworkRailSCOT
Ph: 03457 11 41 41

Find out more on the Fife electrification project at www.scotlandsrailway.com.