Scotland Route Study

[hibtastic]

Just been reading the following article on the Scotsman Online. It states that Network Rail's Scotland Route Study will be published in March and includes;

• New Mezzanine Level for Waverley Station to accommodate retail more retail
• Extra tracks on the ECML between Wallyford and Prestonpans
• Electrifying the South Suburban line in Edinburgh to divert electric freight trains away from Waverley
• Remodelling of Perth Station
• Further upgrades of the Inverness to Aberdeen and Wick/Thurso lines
• Longer trains on Ayrshire and Inverclyde routes
• Electrification of the Glasgow to East Kilbride and Barrhead lines.

The new track between Wallyford and Prestonpans would provide extra capacity for Scotrail services to Berwick, Alliance Rail proposals and the new TPE service perhaps?

Article here:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/mezzanine-for-waverley-station-to-cope-with-growth-1-3972452

Major redevelopment of Waverley Station in Edinburgh with a new mezzanine level to free space for more platforms was proposed today by owner Network Rail.

It said the move could be needed to cope with passenger numbers more than doubling over the next 30 years.

The plan is contained in a wide-ranging blueprint for expanding Scotland’s railways, which also includes electrifying the Edinburgh to Perth and Dundee lines.

The Scotland Route Study said a mezzanine at Waverley would be for “safe and easy station navigation and relocated retail/passenger facilities, to allow more platform capacity for trains”.

It said the existing station layout would become “increasingly sub-optimal” because of the forecast passenger growth, with commuter numbers alone expected to rise by 114 per cent between 2012 and 2043.

The station is Scotland’s second busiest, with 20 million passengers a year.

The document said: “Extending platforms or creating new ones to meet demand will reduce the current space available for passenger circulation and facilities in the station.

“The increase in passenger numbers and likely reduction in concourse space suggests that a major re-development of Edinburgh Waverley will be required in the medium term [after 2029].”

The south suburban line, which arcs round the south side of the city, could be electrified so more freight trains could be diverted away from Waverley.

Network Rail said its study, which will be out for consultation until March, would inform funding of developments from 2019.

Other potential measures include extra tracks on the east coast main line between Wallyford and Prestonpans in East Lothian, the “remodelling” of Perth Station, and further upgrades of the Inverness to Aberdeen and Wick/Thurso lines.

There could also be longer trains on Ayrshire and Inverclyde routes, and electrification of the Glasgow to East Kilbride and Barrhead lines.

 

[najaB]

Nice to see that they have finally decided to implement some of our ideas.

 

[MarkRedon]

You can find the draft route study and its appendices online at: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/long-term-planning-process/scotland-route-study/

The purpose of the Route Study is to provide an evidence base that will inform funders in Scotland when considering rail industry investment choices for Control Period 6 and 7 (between 2019 and 2029). It is one of a new generation of studies across Great Britain which will also set out how forecast growth could be met through to 2043.

 

[clc]

Glasgow Central (High Level) Capacity Improvements:-

- extension of platforms 6 - 9
- extension of platforms 12-13
- two new platforms to the west of the station.
- Additional / re-modelled approach lines
- Option of new Glasgow city centre station also to be considered

There's no detail given about the potential new city centre station. I look forward to hearing more about that in due course.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Answers my question about Perth then.
Looks a lot tidier in those proposals and does include the HST stabling point

 

[mbreckers]

I'm gonna be honest, I don't think there is any need for longer trains on the Ayrshire line, we already have the option of upto 8-car 380's, and there is rarely overcrowding even at peak times

 

[mcmad]

Glasgow Central (High Level) Capacity Improvements:-

- extension of platforms 6 - 9
- extension of platforms 12-13
- two new platforms to the west of the station.
- Additional / re-modelled approach lines
- Option of new Glasgow city centre station also to be considered

There's no detail given about the potential new city centre station. I look forward to hearing more about that in due course.

Given any new city centre station would have to be largely underground then you'll probably be waiting a long time, suspect it is merely the if growth goes bananas option

Also interesting that it is implying that Carstairs renewal/remodel is now pushed back to CP6 at the earliest.

 

[Grumpy]

[*]Electrifying the South Suburban line in Edinburgh to divert electric freight trains away from Waverley

What electric freight trains?

 

[najaB]

What electric freight trains?

The ones that will be able to get all the way to Grangemouth in the future, rather than changing to diesel at Millerhill - or running for miles under the wires to avoid the swap.

 

[Blindtraveler]

If they were going to redevelop Waverley into (yet another expensive) shopping complex, it should have been done during the last works programme.
A Logical move would be to redevelop both the station and Princes Maul together at the same time, moving All station facilities and services into it including First and sleaper lounges, booking office, shops, restaurants and train crewe accom and offices clearing the way for a large scale reorgonisation of the concourse as it stands with high capacity travelater and lifts to the new development and the complete removal of Waverley steps.

Disapointing Re Carstares but the ECML upgrades, South Sub, Glasgow Central, EK and Barhead wiring makes sense!

 

[Photohunter71]

The ones that will be able to get all the way to Grangemouth in the future, rather than changing to diesel at Millerhill - or running for miles under the wires to avoid the swap.

When is this allegedly happening and where from to Grangemouth? I thought all electric hauled freight went up the WCML.

 

[najaB]

When is this allegedly happening and where from to Grangemouth? I thought all electric hauled freight went up the WCML.

It does - because there's no paths through Waverley and the Sub isn't electrified.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A Logical move would be to redevelop both the station and Princes Maul...

I know it's a typo but that pretty nicely sums up how I feel about the place. Thanks for the smile!

 

[Blindtraveler]

It does - because there's no paths through Waverley and the Sub isn't electrified.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I know it's a typo but that pretty nicely sums up how I feel about the place. Thanks for the smile!

Woops was in a hurry, but as I happen to agree with you I'll not correct it

 

[Altnabreac]

Lots of interesting things here. Not much completely new but firms up a lot of things we have been speculating about for the last wee while.

Mezzanine Level at Waverley

This looks pretty much as I predicted on the Waverley thread with more through platforms linking 5/6 with 12/13. However there is an option that involves removing the northern ramp to Waverley Bridge as well and extending platform 18. That's more than I expected.

ECML capacity

Calton North tunnels redoubling, Portobello Junction remodelling and 4 tracking at Wallyford will give a big increase in capacity. 2tph service to North Berwick and more regular Dunbar services will be the main beneficiary

Electrification

Pretty much as we thought with East Kilbride and Barrhead being proposed as a linked scheme, Anniesland and Kilmarnock - Barassie as follow ups.

In the east it again confirms that Edinburgh - Perth / Dundee would be the first in line before Dunblane - Perth, Perth - Dundee and Dundee - Aberdeen.

Two slightly new bits of information seem to be not phasing a delivery of just Fife Circle lines without Dundee and it looks like it is proposed to stop electrification at Aberdeen and separate Inverurie services into a new Aberdeen Crossrail type concept.

Far North Line

Good to see new signalling between Inverness and Dingwall proposed and hopeful by a new loop they mean a decent length section of double track not just a short passing loop. Also great to see the Georgemas Curve in official proposals. I'd like to see it implemented with a combined program of closing Scotscalder and Georgemas Junction stations and opening a new one at Halkirk.

EGIP

Nearly all the descoped EGIP projects make a reappearance with Winchburgh Junction grade separation, Almond Chord, Greenhill Junction grade separation all making an appearance. Only the Croy turnback has disappeared completely.

Fife Bypass Line

The Inverkeithing - Halbeath line from the STPR finally makes it into Network Rail's plans with a potential journey time saving for Dundee and Perth services. Slightly disappointing that no extension northwards towards Perth is considered.

High Speed Rail

The elephant in the room is High Speed Rail. No mention of it at all and lots of the plans in the Carstairs, Lanarkshire and WCML areas potentially interact with it in different ways.

Suspect there are some projects in here that can be declared surplus if HS Rail opens and thus be presented as future cost savings by creating capacity using High Speed Scotland instead.

 

[herschell]

I'm disappointed but not surprised there's nothing for up here-Aberdeen to Queen Street/Haymarket electrification(only section of the ECML not electrified) but then again we're always the last to get any rail improvements.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

I'm disappointed but not surprised there's nothing for up here-Aberdeen to Queen Street/Haymarket electrification(only section of the ECML not electrified) but then again we're always the last to get any rail improvements.

That's your 2029 to 2034 electrification project. Rolling stock ages, capacity requirements and electrification team/asset availability all dictate what can be done and when.

 

[Altnabreac]

I'm disappointed but not surprised there's nothing for up here-Aberdeen to Queen Street/Haymarket electrification(only section of the ECML not electrified) but then again we're always the last to get any rail improvements.

Apart from:

• Electrification of Aberdeen to Glasgow and Edinburgh
• 4tph Inverurie - Stonehaven
• Usan bottleneck examined
• new Fife Bypass / Halbeath line to speed journey times through Fife
• new semi fast Arbroath/Dundee - Glasgow service to speed Glasgow - Aberdeen journey times
• new double track at Dalcross to increase frequencies to Inverness
• Perth Remodelling
• new freight loops at Camperdown

You're quite right there is nothing else for NE Scotland...

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Electrification

Pretty much as we thought with East Kilbride and Barrhead being proposed as a linked scheme, Anniesland and Kilmarnock - Barassie as follow ups.

In the east it again confirms that Edinburgh - Perth / Dundee would be the first in line before Dunblane - Perth, Perth - Dundee and Dundee - Aberdeen.

Two slightly new bits of information seem to be not phasing a delivery of just Fife Circle lines without Dundee and it looks like it is proposed to stop electrification at Aberdeen and separate Inverurie services into a new Aberdeen Crossrail type concept.

EGIP

Nearly all the descoped EGIP projects make a reappearance with Winchburgh Junction grade separation, Almond Chord, Greenhill Junction grade separation all making an appearance. Only the Croy turnback has disappeared completely.

The possible feeding arrangements and works to be done would suggest that Ladybank to Perth will be late in CP6 and will dovetail with Dunblane to Hilton Junction in CP7, which is likely to all operate from the same feeder, somewhere around Hilton Junction.

I'd expect when Dunblane to Perth is completed, the work will then follow Perth to Dundee and Dundee north, in a relatively linear fashion.

Aberdeen Crossrail will, I expect, be dependent on what might or might not happen with re-openings in the Aberdeen area, the Ellon route, Banchory also being of interested and so on, that and any Aberdeen to Inverness electrification plans developing will dictate where electrification ends outside Aberdeen - Dyce, Inverurie or further. That might be outwith the 2043 window, given Dundee to Aberdeen looks 2029 to 2034 and Perth to Inverness would be 2034 to 2039.

 

[hibtastic]

Its good to see the Almond Chord included. Running some Edinburgh-Glasgow trains via Edinburgh Gateway and thus providing a connection to Edinburgh Airport is a no brainer surely.

Given how the airport is growing (2015 will be its busiest ever year), the sub-standard road network around the airport wont be able to cope with all of the future growth that's for sure. There is a big opportunity for rail here.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

And am I right in not finding a single instance of "Levenmouth" in the entire report, with Methil Branch featuring only on the maps ?

 

[NotATrainspott]

I'm disappointed but not surprised there's nothing for up here-Aberdeen to Queen Street/Haymarket electrification(only section of the ECML not electrified) but then again we're always the last to get any rail improvements.

What are you reading? The route study does set out plans for electrification of Glasgow/Edinburgh to Aberdeen and Inverness.

EDIT: already dealt with.

My understanding of this report is that the improvements suggested are those that Network Rail will need to deliver in order to continue delivering the rail network that they've been asked to deliver by their licence. Building a new line to bypass Dunfermline is an example, as its sole purpose would be to improve the network that already exists by increasing speeds and improving capacity. Projects to expand the reach of the rail network are out of the purview of this report, so that's why it doesn't mention any reopenings or major schemes like a cross-Glasgow tunnel or new Edinburgh-Glasgow HSR. Whether these go ahead or not is up to the Scottish Parliament, just like how Crossrail and HS2 have been a project directly from the UK Government rather than being a Network Rail project.

 

[SouthSub]

Nice to see that they have finally decided to implement some of our ideas.

I agree, I thought there were some familiar points when I read the article

 

[Altnabreac]

What are you reading? The route study does set out plans for electrification of Glasgow/Edinburgh to Aberdeen and Inverness.

EDIT: already dealt with.

My understanding of this report is that the improvements suggested are those that Network Rail will need to deliver in order to continue delivering the rail network that they've been asked to deliver by their licence. Building a new line to bypass Dunfermline is an example, as its sole purpose would be to improve the network that already exists by increasing speeds and improving capacity. Projects to expand the reach of the rail network are out of the purview of this report, so that's why it doesn't mention any reopenings or major schemes like a cross-Glasgow tunnel or new Edinburgh-Glasgow HSR. Whether these go ahead or not is up to the Scottish Parliament, just like how Crossrail and HS2 have been a project directly from the UK Government rather than being a Network Rail project.

Agreed that is my understanding as well although I think some schemes such as Levenmouth / Grangemouth reopening could also be taken forward by local authorities as local schemes rather than having to be lead nationally by the parliament / government.

Where it gets a bit complicated is where delivery of a new scheme like Edinburgh - Glasgow High Speed Rail could make some of the proposed schemes obsolete / unnecessary. No doubt this will come out in the wash later.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think it is safe to say that at least NR are being consistent, across the whole set of the English RUSs and now in their upcoming replacements, the Route Studies, they stick very much to the known railway and any proposed major projects do not usually get a detailed discussion until they are all but guaranteed to be happening.

 

[clc]

Projects to expand the reach of the rail network are out of the purview of this report, so that's why it doesn't mention any reopenings or major schemes like a cross-Glasgow tunnel..

It does say "Option of new Glasgow city centre station also to be considered."

That doesn't necessarily have to be a surface station.

 

[najaB]

I think it is safe to say that at least NR are being consistent, across the whole set of the English RUSs and now in their upcoming replacements, the Route Studies, they stick very much to the known railway and any proposed major projects do not usually get a detailed discussion until they are all but guaranteed to be happening.

But that's the point of route studies: to look at schemes and projects to improve routes that currently exist. A new line that doesn't exist yet could hardly be considered part of the route.

 

[SeanG]

Far North Line

Good to see new signalling between Inverness and Dingwall proposed and hopeful by a new loop they mean a decent length section of double track not just a short passing loop. Also great to see the Georgemas Curve in official proposals. I'd like to see it implemented with a combined program of closing Scotscalder and Georgemas Junction stations and opening a new one at Halkirk.

Surely, given that 50% of the trains reverse at Georgemas Junction anyway, the station may as well be kept open?

 

[najaB]

Surely, given that 50% of the trains reverse at Georgemas Junction anyway, the station may as well be kept open?

With the new chord there wouldn't be a need to reverse.

 

[Railsigns]

With the new chord there wouldn't be a need to reverse.

Unless the proposal is to run separate services to Thurso and Wick, the number of reversals will remain the same (unless a triangular junction is proposed, which seems highly unlikely).

 

[najaB]

Unless the proposal is to run separate services to Thurso and Wick, the number of reversals will remain the same (unless a triangular junction is proposed, which seems highly unlikely).

I don't have the route study downloaded to hand, but I'm pretty sure the objective was to remove the need to reverse. It would be pointless to simply swap one reversal for another.