Levenmouth rail link to reopen: project updates

[MadMac]

More about Transport Scotland not being willing to fund the remodelling of Thornton North Junction to allow for double tracking all the way. Skimping like on Borders & East Kilbride.

Aha! If you leave it with the single track, whatever new signalling goes on the double track section becomes effectively “stand-alone” with a relatively simple and achievable interface to the existing Thornton interlocking. On the other hand, doubling the junction entails a complicated and costly signalling renewal.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Aug 2022 ==

Was the Thornton Junction - Leven section not originally double track? If so, there surely shouldn't be any need to acquire land from the golf course.

It was, but that was a long time ago. The Google Earth view gives the impression that it’s been single for a long time. It wasn’t unheard of for the BRB to sell off strips of land like that. File under “Och, we’ll never need that again”…..

 

[snowball]

Aha! If you leave it with the single track, whatever new signalling goes on the double track section becomes effectively “stand-alone” with a relatively simple and achievable interface to the existing Thornton interlocking. On the other hand, doubling the junction entails a complicated and costly signalling renewal.

Is this the first dialogue on these forums between mcmad and MadMac?

 

[MadMac]

Is this the first dialogue on these forums between mcmad and MadMac?

That did occur to me…..

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Aha! If you leave it with the single track, whatever new signalling goes on the double track section becomes effectively “stand-alone” with a relatively simple and achievable interface to the existing Thornton interlocking. On the other hand, doubling the junction entails a complicated and costly signalling renewal.

Indeed new SSI interlocking would be required at 15-20m but the existing relay interlocking is knocking on and must be in NRs renewal pipeline with five years so a bit daft commonsense wasn't applied to get it replaced slightly prematurely with a contribution from Transport Scotland.

 

[railfan99]

From Kingdom FM website.

https://www.kingdomfm.co.uk/news/local-news/levenmouth-rail-link-to-reopen-after-half-a-century/

Link appears to be broken.

 

[snowball]

Link appears to be broken.

Well it is a link from a 3-year-old post to a radio station news site. A lot has happened since then.

 

[snowball]

RAIL magazine #964 has a small item on p. 26 saying Freightliner 66952 became the first locomotive to be signalled onto the Levenmouth branch for five years on 15 August when it hauled a rake of ballast wagons.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Just got round to reading my copy of Rail Engineer (July - August 2022, issue 197) that arrived by post a couple of days ago and David Shirres has a good featured article "Reconnecting Levenmouth" from page 98 to page 105 with maps and photographs.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Just got round to reading my copy of Rail Engineer (July - August 2022, issue 197) that arrived by post a couple of days ago and David Shirres has a good featured article "Reconnecting Levenmouth" from page 98 to page 105 with maps and photographs.

You can read it online

https://www.railengineer.co.uk/rail...l-transformation-timetabling-hs2-going-green/

Hopefully they are going to wire it up as part of construction works even though it might not see a pan for a few years rather than cause more disruption after it opens.

 

[snowball]

Another press release. Not much news in it.

Minister sees first-hand Levenmouth Rail link progress

Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants Rights visited the site of the Levenmouth Rail Link to meet the team delivering the new line in Fife.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants Rights visited the site of the Levenmouth Rail Link to meet the team delivering the new line in Fife.

The Minister visited the sites of what will be both new stations and walked along the track-bed to see and discuss the infrastructure, including active travel links, that will be delivered by the project team.

The plans for the Rail Link see the construction of two new stations and the reinstatement of 19 single track kilometres of electrified railway which will reconnect Leven to the national rail network for the first time in more than half a century.

Early progress on the project has seen the first mile of rail to the west of the route at Thornton junction commissioned and is now being utilised to enable the delivery of the second mile of track-work.

Additionally, significant work to repair and refurbish a number of bridges over water-courses and under the railway, along the six-mile railway corridor have now been completed.

It is anticipated that work to strengthen the Leven Rail (Bawbee) bridge on behalf of Fife Council will get underway in Autumn – subject to planning permission for the diversionary route being agreed.

Completion of the branch line in Spring 2024 will see trains call at Cameron Bridge and Leven stations for the first time since 1969.

================= automerged post =====================

New Civil Engineer has this (my attention was drawn to it by somebody posting it in the New Stations thread)

Future of Rail | Revitalised Levenmouth link to bring opportunities and growth to Fife | New Civil Engineer

“The Levenmouth area is one of the last parts of Scotland that is poorly connected from a transport perspective,” says Network Rail senior sponsor Martin

www.newcivilengineer.com

“The Levenmouth area is one of the last parts of [populated] Scotland that is poorly connected from a transport perspective,” says Network Rail senior sponsor Martin McKinlay.

Access to the railway has been an issue for generations living in this area of Fife on the east coast of Scotland after passenger services to local stations were withdrawn more than half a century ago.

Transport Scotland’s £116.6M Levenmouth Rail Link Project aims to change that by reinstating the railway line connecting the seaside town of Leven with Thornton Junction which dates back to 1854. Thornton Junction is part of the existing rail network on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen route, so this connection will make travelling around Fife and to other parts of Scotland easier for Levenmouth residents.

After the withdrawal of passenger services in 1969 due to sweeping line closures the original route was converted to single track and used solely for freight. The line has been abandoned for the last 20 years apart from two trains which ran the first mile every week between 2012 and 2015 to serve an open cast coal terminal.

Reinstating the 9.5km line was put on the table in 2019, after the Levenmouth Sustainable Transport study – carried out by Transport Scotland in collaboration with Fife Council – concluded that it is a way to improve accessibility and drive modal shift.
Network Rail worked with its supply chain to develop a business case which highlighted the positive socio-economic outcomes improved connectivity with Edinburgh could provide. It also sought ways to reduce the cost of delivering the project.
Transport Scotland – the sole funder of the project – gave the green light for the project in January.
Work involves reinstating 19km of track in a double track layout, the construction of two new stations – at Leven and Cameron Bridge – and restoration of five bridges. Overhead line electrification and supporting infrastructure will also be installed.

The Project 13 approach, based on an enterprise model rather than transactional agreements, was chosen for the delivery of the Levenmouth Rail Link because of its focus on outcomes and collaboration. The enterprise partners include Atkins, AmcoGiffen, Bam Nuttall, QTS, Network Rail, Rail Systems Alliance Scotland, Scottish Power Lines, Siemens and Story Contracting.

“There was a challenge to the supply chain [from Transport Scotland] over two years ago to reduce the cost of delivery,” says principal contractor Bam Nuttall’s project director Martin Murray.

Early supply chain engagement was key to achieving that reduction, says Network Rail project owner Tom McPake. He explains that the enterprise partners worked with designer Atkins to find ways to build the railway in the most efficient way, “cutting the scope and the amount of interventions on the existing railway”.

According to McKinlay, the new line will use 80% to 90% of the existing alignment for the new track. The reason why there is some difference is because the new stations will be in slightly different positions.
Leven station was relocated to be closer to other modes of transport, while Cameron Bridge station had to be moved because it was in an exclusion zone close to a Diageo drinks factory.
Using the existing double track bed for most of the route led to considerable reduction in cost.
Only minor interventions to the track bed were required. McPake explained that only a small layer of material had to be removed across the route to accommodate the new track formation. “That resulted in significant savings and avoided the requirement to dispose of substantial quantities of spoil off site”.
The enterprise partners also found that earth embankments could be brought up to standard without many hard interventions.
There are five existing steel bridges along the route and McPake says that the early involvement of the partners meant that they “didn’t just default to saying that the bridges need to be replaced”. Assessments of the bridges’ condition revealed that only repairs were needed.
He highlights the fact that since construction started savings of between 4% and 5% on the final project budget have been achieved.
“If you add that to the initial capital cost reduction, we are probably up to 9% down compared to the amount Transport Scotland initially thought it had to fund.”

Before granting full approval for the project, Transport Scotland authorised advance works including vegetation clearance and redundant asset removal in early 2021. This was completed last October.
The installation of the new track by Rail Systems Alliance Scotland started early this year. The team celebrated the installation of the first mile in April, with Murray saying that this job was completed within six weeks. That first section of track will be used by engineering trains to facilitate construction.
Since that track section was installed, focus has shifted to earthworks and the refurbishment of the five steel bridges along the route.
“That is to allow that track to progress through the linear site unhindered,” Murray says.
The aim is for most of the track to be installed by the end of the year.
“Work in 2023 will be focused more on railway systems and stations. We are in the process of finalising our planning permissions for the two stations,” he adds.
Atkins is the designer for both, with Bam Nuttall the contractor for Cameron Bridge, while AmcoGiffen is building Leven station.
There are many similarities between the two stations and Murray says the contractors for both will order the precast concrete units, prefabricated steel and lifts from the same manufacturers using what he describes as a “single procurement route”.
The new line is expected to open to passenger services in March 2024.

“It’s the first rail project that we’ve been actively involved in that there’s very little dissension. Everybody in the local community acknowledges the benefits the railway can bring,” says McKinlay.
He explains that by having a better connection to major cities – a trip from Leven to Edinburgh will take 71 minutes – Levenmouth’s 37,000 residents will have more employment, education and leisure opportunities.
The project team is also exploring opportunities for freight and is having discussions with Diageo. Introducing freight services as well as charter train services could have a positive impact on the local economy.

 

[snowball]

Another NR press release

Levenmouth station development plans to be unveiled

Local people in Leven and Cameron Bridge will get the first chance to see the plans for the station developments that will be delivered as part of the Levenmouth Rail link project.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Local people in Leven and Cameron Bridge will get the first chance to see the plans for the station developments that will be delivered as part of the Levenmouth Rail link project.

Network Rail will unveil the final plans for the new stations at two drop-in events to be held near to the proposed station sites and local people are invited to come along and see the plans - ahead of them being submitted as planning applications to Fife Council.

The event at Cameron Bridge will be from 4pm-7pm on Monday 3rd October at the Methilhill Bowling Club, Main Street, Methilhill, KY8 2DP

For Leven, it will be between 4pm-7pm on Tuesday 4th October at the Leven Centre, Commercial Road, Leven, KY8 4QW

The community events will allow local people to see the designs, meet members of the team who will deliver the stations and ask any questions they may have direct to the project.

The plans for the stations have been developed in conjunction with stakeholders and the drop-ins follow on from Fife Council’s consultation on the wider ‘place-making’ aspects of the station developments.

Feedback from the community as part of the Council’s consultation has been taken into consideration and used to inform the designs for the station that will now be on display in advance of being submitted for planning consent.

The project is working towards completing construction of the stations and the wider Rail link project in Spring 2024.

Martin McKinlay, Network Rail’s sponsor for the Levenmouth Rail link project said: “The level of interest in the development of the stations and the project in general is phenomenal.

“We are looking forward to meeting the communities around the stations and we are confident that what we are proposing caters for their needs as future station users.

"We look forward to meeting everyone at the Community Drop-ins, presenting the plans for the station and answering any questions on the project”.

For anyone unable to make it along to the drop-in but would still like to review the plans, they can find everything they need to know on the Levenmouth pages of the Scotland’s Railway website( www.scotlandsrailway.com/projects )after the community events

People can also submit any questions on any aspect of the project by emailing LevenmouthRailLink@networkrail.co.uk

 

[MisterSheeps]

the quote above, “The Levenmouth area is one of the last parts of [populated] Scotland that is poorly connected from a transport perspective,” says Network Rail senior sponsor Martin McKinlay. seems a bit premature, given that St. Andrews remains unconnected, and various other places of admittedly lesser population.

 

[railjock]

Another NR press release

Levenmouth station development plans to be unveiled

Local people in Leven and Cameron Bridge will get the first chance to see the plans for the station developments that will be delivered as part of the Levenmouth Rail link project.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

I reckon the Re-opening campaign will be disappointed with what will be offered. They’ve campaigned for stations with quite a high standard of facilities but I reckon they will be similar to what exists on the Borders Railway.

 

[najaB]

the quote above, “The Levenmouth area is one of the last parts of [populated] Scotland that is poorly connected from a transport perspective,” says Network Rail senior sponsor Martin McKinlay. seems a bit premature, given that St. Andrews remains unconnected, and various other places of admittedly lesser population.

With up to six buses an hour to Dundee (including night buses) all of which call at Leuchars Railway Station and direct services to Edinburgh and Glasgow you can hardly say that St Andrews is poorly connected transport wise. There's even still through ticketing on the railway.

 

[Wynd]

the quote above, “The Levenmouth area is one of the last parts of [populated] Scotland that is poorly connected from a transport perspective,” says Network Rail senior sponsor Martin McKinlay. seems a bit premature, given that St. Andrews remains unconnected, and various other places of admittedly lesser population.

Fraserburgh and Peterhead residents would have something to say about that.

 

[najaB]

Fraserburgh and Peterhead residents would have something to say about that.

How does that make Leven/Methil not "one of" the last poorly connected populated areas?

 

[Wynd]

How does that not make Leven/Methil not "one of" the last poorly connected populated areas?

Fair. Just that, its worth noting that there is a ways to go in Scotland on this issue.

 

[snowball]

Another press release

Platform removal clears way for double tracking at Cameron Bridge

Work to demolish the old station platforms at Cameron Bridge is now complete.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Work to demolish the old station platforms at Cameron Bridge is now complete.

Following the successful completion of the first mile in March, and significant progress on the second mile, the removal of the old platforms of the former Cameron Bridge station clears the way for the next stages of track work.

The old platforms adjacent to the Diageo factory were 210 metres in length and made up from masonry and fill materials totalling approximately 5000 tonnes. Their removal was needed to clear the way for the double track railway which will reconnect Leven to the mainline rail network.

The demolished platform material will be retained onsite and fittingly, will be used as infill for the new Cameron bridge station platforms which is being built 200 metres to the east.

Local people in the Cameron Bridge area are being offered the opportunity to see the final plans for the station in advance of them being submitted for planning consideration at one of two community drop-ins from 4pm-7pm on Monday 3rd October at the Methilhill Bowling Club, Main Street, Methilhill, KY8 2DP

The size and scale of the work to remove the platforms and the plant and machinery now operating on the construction of the Rail link project offer further evidence of the dangers to those who are still using the railway corridor for leisure purposes.

The project team is keen to reiterate the message that local people should not now be using the area for their own safety to avoid coming into contact with engineering trains, railway plant and machinery delivering the work.

 

[Ginaro]

a feeder at Thornton will do for most of Fife. For resilience though additional feeders will be needed eventually. Hilton Jn? Wormit? Inverkeithing?

Anybody on here know where the feeder stations are planned?

Well, to start, Greenhill FS is fed from Bonnybridge (which I believe is 132kV). I believe there's a 275kV grid feeder at Glenrothes (based on Google Maps, it's a little NW of the A92/A921/B9130 roundabout) and that could easily be exploited to serve Fife.
The 275kV substation at Currie is due to supply the Haymarket-Carstairs & Shotts Lines soon too (AFAIK).
Hilton Jn, while not near any existing substation AFAIK, is near a point where powerlines cross, so would also be ideal.

Couldn't see it mentioned in the thread - found a planning application to extend Glenrothes substation (which is to the west, between the town and Leslie): https://planning.fife.gov.uk/online/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=RF9LFWHF1AL00 - which says:
"The development is considered necessary to support Network Rail’s aspirations to electrify the rail network in the area. The extension to Glenrothes Substation would enable the creation of a new Network Rail Feeder Station, which will be fed from the Substation via underground cable, which in turn connects to the rail network."

 

[snowball]

Couldn't see it mentioned in the thread - found a planning application to extend Glenrothes substation (which is to the west, between the town and Leslie): https://planning.fife.gov.uk/online/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=RF9LFWHF1AL00 - which says:
"The development is considered necessary to support Network Rail’s aspirations to electrify the rail network in the area. The extension to Glenrothes Substation would enable the creation of a new Network Rail Feeder Station, which will be fed from the Substation via underground cable, which in turn connects to the rail network."

Thanks for that. Glenrothes substation is, as you imply, some distance from the railway and, as the application says, will be connected to it by an underground cable. Open Infrastructure Map shows another substation, Redhouse, closer to the railway and adjacent to the A92/A921/B9130 roundabout, but presumably for such an important feeder site as Thornton, it was thought worth the extra distance to get a feed from the 275 kV grid rather than 132 kV.

I don't think the quote from Gingertom is particularly relevant to this. This is likely to be the feeding for Thornton, the only currently known proposed feeder station in Fife, and I think likely to remain so for a long time. The nearest subsequent feeder stations will probably be on the Dunblane-Perth-Dundee-Aberdeen line.

 

[gingertom]

-Thanks for that. Glenrothes substation is, as you imply, some distance from the railway and, as the application says, will be connected to it by an underground cable. Open Infrastructure Map shows another substation, Redhouse, closer to the railway and adjacent to the A92/A921/B9130 roundabout, but presumably for such an important feeder site as Thornton, it was thought worth the extra distance to get a feed from the 275 kV grid rather than 132 kV.

I don't think the quote from Gingertom is particularly relevant to this. This is likely to be the feeding for Thornton, the only currently known proposed feeder station in Fife, and I think likely to remain so for a long time. The nearest subsequent feeder stations will probably be on the Dunblane-Perth-Dundee-Aberdeen line.

There's going to be a lot of route miles dependent on the Thornton feeder station. I hope it is going to be over-engineered and super resilient.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Thanks for that. Glenrothes substation is, as you imply, some distance from the railway and, as the application says, will be connected to it by an underground cable. Open Infrastructure Map shows another substation, Redhouse, closer to the railway and adjacent to the A92/A921/B9130 roundabout, but presumably for such an important feeder site as Thornton, it was thought worth the extra distance to get a feed from the 275 kV grid rather than 132 kV.

If they are going to right size it for long term they need to connect at 275kV unless they are going to use SFCs which still doesn't seem to be first choice.

 

[snowball]

As I've remarked before, if you partially electrify a line or region enough to switch it over completely to battery trains, and then later fill the gaps in the wires and convert it to straight electrics, then in principle you need a lot of feeder stations for the first stage, but no extra ones for the second stage (that's assuming you run the same service at both stages - in practice there would probably be an increase). After full electrification, the trains are drawing juice for more of the time, but at a lower rate.

According to one of the videoed talks that have been posted, the Scottish decarbonisation programme will require a total of 18 new feeder stations, so it seems about right that the contract announced in the summer covers 6 for the first 3-4 years of the plan

 

[ld0595]

Planning applications were submitted today: https://www.networkrailmediacentre....-stations-on-the-levenmouth-rail-link-project

Planning ahead for new stations on the Levenmouth Rail Link project​

Network Rail has today submitted the planning applications for the development of new stations at Cameron Bridge and Leven as part of the Levenmouth Rail Link project.

It is the latest milestone in the development and delivery of the project that will reconnect the local community to the mainline rail network after a gap of more than half a century.

Proposals for Cameron Bridge detail plans for a two-platform station with footbridge and lifts, waiting shelters and ticket machines. It outlines a car park area that will initially offer 125 spaces with a contingency to grow to more than 300 spaces should anticipated demand materialise.


The plan for Leven will see a station with a 210metre island platform accessed on the level – eliminating the need for a footbridge and lifts. Although it includes some parking, the design of walkaways enables direct connectivity to the High Street, to the promenade as well as to the bus station to prioritise transport interchange and use of enhanced active travel routes.

Ahead of submitting the planning applications, more than 300 local people took the chance to go along to Network Rail hosted community events in Methilhill and Leven to enable the community to see the plans for the stations, offer their views and ask questions direct to the project team.

Lisa Cameron, Network Rail’s planning lead for the station developments said: “We are delighted that local people are taking a great interest in the plans for the stations and the enthusiasm and positivity around the project is fantastic.

“The submission of the planning applications for the station developments is another massive step forward on the road to putting Leven and Cameron Bridge back on the railway map and it is great to see so many local people engaging with the development.

“Securing planning permission for the developments will enable us to then focus fully on the delivery of the stations that will be the gateway to the network for communities that have been denied access to the railway for more than fifty years.”

Following the submission of the applications to Fife Council, the applications will be open for review and comment as part of the normal statutory planning process.

Network Rail is encouraging everyone who has shared their opinions and aspirations for the station developments to formally record their views by visiting the Council’s planning portal and submitting comments.

 

[snowball]

Two press releases in one day, each including a video. And one of them is about the start of OLE piling!

Piling work to electrify Leven line begins

Work to lay the foundations that will pave the way for the electrification of the Levenmouth Rail Link is about to get underway.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

The first phase of work between Thornton Junction and Haugh Mill Lade will see the project pile foundations for masts that will carry overhead wires in readiness for the introduction of quieter and more environmentally friendly electric trains.

Work to install the piles will begin on Monday October 24 and will last for circa three weeks as the first piles are inserted to the west of the rail corridor - mostly during day-time working. One night of overnight piling will be required for locations closest to Thornton Junction and this is scheduled for Saturday October 29.

Further piling along the Levenmouth rail corridor is being programmed so that it works in tandem with other activities on the project, such as work on bridges and track laying.

Piling is an essential part of laying the foundations for the newly electrified railway and it is among the noisiest work activities on the railway and can be disruptive. Homes closest to the work sites have been notified by letter to make them aware of the possible noise.

While the work is being delivered as part of the reinstatement of the branch, electrification of the line to Leven is part of the wider electrification of the railway in Fife as part of the Scottish Government’s plan to decarbonise passenger services on the network by 2035.

Work on the Levenmouth Rail Link is scheduled to complete in spring 2024 and services will initially be in introduced using diesel trains. By this point however, the line will be future-proofed to enable the introduction of Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMUs) to replace life-expired diesel units which will be phased out on completion of the wider Fife electrification project.

Sean Clemie, earthworks and structures lead for the project said: “The first piles going into the ground in the Thornton area is big for the project but also an important milestone for the wider aspirations to decarbonise the railway across Fife.

“With the first mile of the Leven branch already operational railway, we can use this to move the track-based piling rig to each location to sink the foundations and then insert the masts that will ultimately carry the overhead wires that will power the railway.

“The start of this phase of work is another sign that the project is really taking shape. It’s an exciting step forward for the team as we work towards delivering an electrified railway for Levenmouth and in creating an even greener, cleaner, and more reliable railway for Scotland.’’

I think Haugh Mill Lade, mentioned near the start, must be most of the way to Cameron Bridge. (A Haughmill Farm is shown in that area on a large-scale OS map.)

Wendy Chamberlain MP visits Levenmouth Rail Link

As work continues to deliver the £116m Levenmouth Rail Link, Member of Parliament (MP) Wendy Chamberlain, visited the site to meet the team and find out more about the latest progress that has been made on the project.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

As work continues to deliver the £116m Levenmouth Rail Link, Member of Parliament (MP) Wendy Chamberlain, visited the site to meet the team and find out more about the latest progress that has been made on the project.

The North-East Fife MP visited the site of what will be the new Leven station and observed work to deliver scour protection at a location where the infrastructure sits close to the adjacent river.

The opportunity to visit the site offers visitors a different perspective on the infrastructure that will be built and the scale of the task and to find out more about the challenge ahead for the project team.

Early progress has seen the completion of the first section of rail to the west of the route at Thornton junction - which has now entered into service as operational railway and is supporting the delivery of subsequent activity.

The project team is currently working at sites all along the line, including on the second mile track section, at a number of structures, reprofiling embankments and to deliver flood and scour protection at various points on the route.

It is also anticipated that work to strengthen the Leven Rail (Bawbee) bridge on behalf of Fife Council will get underway in the coming months – subject to planning permission for the diversionary route being agreed.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Two press releases in one day, each including a video. And one of them is about the start of OLE piling!

Piling work to electrify Leven line begins

Work to lay the foundations that will pave the way for the electrification of the Levenmouth Rail Link is about to get underway.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

I think Haugh Mill Lade, mentioned near the start, must be most of the way to Cameron Bridge. (A Haughmill Farm is shown in that area on a large-scale OS map.)

Wendy Chamberlain MP visits Levenmouth Rail Link

As work continues to deliver the £116m Levenmouth Rail Link, Member of Parliament (MP) Wendy Chamberlain, visited the site to meet the team and find out more about the latest progress that has been made on the project.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Even though they won't have any BEMU's till 2027 makes absolute sense to get the structures installed now even if they don't erect the wiring till later whilst they rebuilding the line unlike EWR folly.

 

[snowball]

Press release about river works

Dropping the curtain on silt-risk from Levenmouth scour works

Work is underway on the Levenmouth Rail Link project to protect the future railway from the impact of the adjacent river.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Work is underway on the Levenmouth Rail Link project to protect the future railway from the impact of the adjacent river.

The addition of scour protection at a number of locations along the railway will help reduce the impact on the adjacent river’s banks from the natural erosion that takes place over time as a result of the continuous movement of water.


From monitoring the river, a number of sites were identified as in need of reinforcement. The riverbanks at these locations were stabilised and voids were infilled before ‘rock armour’ was positioned to protect the area. This involved positioning large boulders in the river to change its course and to stop the river waves from reaching the newly strengthened embankments.


To date more than 2,000 tonnes of locally sourced ‘rock armour’ has been deployed to protect the new railway. And while necessary at specific locations, this is in addition to more natural flood management measures being undertaken along the rail corridor in conjunction with the wider Leven Programme.

The natural flood management being considered by the Leven programme includes placing large tree-trunks into the river, modifications to Kirkland and Burn Mill Dams and naturally re-profiling the banks of the lower Kennoway Burn to improve its connection to the floodplain.

Reinstating the railway adjacent to the River Leven was always going to present challenges to the project to find ways to protect the railway from the river - but also to protect the river from any impact during construction work.

One risk to the river from placing rock armour is from silt. The project team were able to use bubble curtains and silt bags to reduce the risk to the aquaculture from the construction work.

Bubble curtains are created by gasses being let out on the riverbed and when they rise they act as a barrier to stop the formation of waves and block the spread of contaminants, including silt and plastics.

Joe Mulvenna, Project Manager for the Levenmouth Rail Link Project said “It’s important that we work with the river and not against it to ensure that the railway is protected from the impact of more frequent and more intense spells of wet weather and the flooding it could cause.

“Strengthening and reinforcing embankments and defending them with the addition of rock armour is one element of our plan to do this but we are working with partners to enable the addition of more natural measures to protect the embankments and to allow the river to work more naturally.

“And while we carry out the work, utilising innovative measures like bubble curtains is just one way we are reducing the risk to the river from the adjacent construction activities.”

 

[jamieintercity]

There was a Facebook post from one of the railway groups (can't remember which one) where the line is now more or less complete as far as the first overbridge of the line, beyond that its a still a worksite. Could not if there was any signals being installed on the complete section yet.

 

[Tormod]

There was a Facebook post from one of the railway groups (can't remember which one) where the line is now more or less complete as far as the first overbridge of the line, beyond that its a still a worksite. Could not if there was any signals being installed on the complete section yet.

There was this https://network-rail.wistia.com/medias/m18gtseev5

 

[najaB]

Could not if there was any signals being installed on the complete section yet.

I'd be surprised if they've installed signalling yet, I would've expected electrification work to precede it. But hey, what do I know?