Scottish Electrification - Post 2029

[Class83]

I suspect something like Kinghorn Tunnel is further up the “extremely difficult “ list than either of the bridges.

The Kinghorn Tunnel is really just an engineering challenge, but probably expensive enough not to bother and can just be left as it's not very long.

The Bridges are a solvable engineering challenge, but a much greater visual and political challenge. It's actually masts on the end viaducts I think which would stop it, conductor rail amongst the girders wouldn't be that obvious.

 

[snookertam]

And is there any plan to refurbish or rationalise the station buildings?

I’d be surprised if there were. Station structure is probably listed and protected.

 

[MadMac]

And is there any plan to refurbish or rationalise the station buildings?

Plan I saw was only signalling related.

 

[Falcon1200]

Station structure is probably listed and protected.

The problem being what can the (huge) buildings be used for, given the very changed nature of the railway since they were constructed - The railway doesn't need them!
IMHO the entire station should be relocated south of the junction between the Dundee and Inverness routes, with an island platform for each direction and bay platforms in between, allowing easy interchange. But probably not going to happen....

 

[The exile]

The problem being what can the (huge) buildings be used for, given the very changed nature of the railway since they were constructed - The railway doesn't need them!
IMHO the entire station should be relocated south of the junction between the Dundee and Inverness routes, with an island platform for each direction and bay platforms in between, allowing easy interchange. But probably not going to happen....

Wouldn’t solve the buildings problem - the railway would still be stuck with them.

 

[stevieinselby]

Do the BEMUs have lower power output on batteries than under wires, as if so infill electrification of sections where they need to accelerate, particularly uphill. The current strategy seems to be deploying a minimum viable product level electrification on Fife & Borders, then presumably to cover up to Aberdeen, but after that the infill of all but the extremely difficult, e.g. Forth and Tay Bridges would make sense to be prioritised to improve journey times with better acceleration.

Batteries should in theory be able to give more power to the motors than OHLE, because they aren't limited by the capacity of the grid – but obviously the more you do that, the quicker the batteries will drain, and so you will need to recharge more often.

 

[Falcon1200]

Wouldn’t solve the buildings problem - the railway would still be stuck with them.

True, but in such situations the body responsible for listing the building should take it over, and more importantly, pay for its upkeep!

 

[Trainbike46]

True, but in such situations the body responsible for listing the building should take it over, and more importantly, pay for its upkeep!

And end up with a repeat of the situation like the one in Ayr?

 

[snookertam]

True, but in such situations the body responsible for listing the building should take it over, and more importantly, pay for its upkeep!

Why should they do that? It doesn’t happen under any other circumstance?

Possibly the railway, in its various guises, should’ve taken better care of the buildings over the years. There’s probably also opportunities to obtain funding from various bodies to assist in upkeep, maintenance etc.

 

[Falcon1200]

And end up with a repeat of the situation like the one in Ayr?

Why would that happen if a responsible body was maintaining the structure, which was not the case at Ayr?

Possibly the railway, in its various guises, should’ve taken better care of the buildings over the years.

The huge buildings are almost totally unnecessary for today's railway and maintaining them is a drain on finances. But I don't think they are actually falling down!

 

[Trainbike46]

Why would that happen if a responsible body was maintaining the structure, which was not the case at Ayr?

The infrastructure should be owned by either the railway (or maybe the government, but railway is likely better) for that reason - to ensure it is maintained well. I'm in favour of reuse and adaptation of listed buildings (protecting the reasons why the building was listed, obviously), whether that is as shops, offices, a hotel, housing, or something else, but buildings that close to the railway should be owned by the railway to avoid adverse consequences in the future, like what happened in Ayr.

Buildings can then be leased or rented out, depending on use. Whether that will cover maintenance costs will likely depend on the individual building and potentially vary from year to year, however selling is too risky as the railway loses control, and even if the first owner is responsible, that doesn't guarantee future owners will be!

 

[snookertam]

Why would that happen if a responsible body was maintaining the structure, which was not the case at Ayr?



The huge buildings are almost totally unnecessary for today's railway and maintaining them is a drain on finances. But I don't think they are actually falling down!

Not suggesting they are falling down (yet!), but better care and maintenance over the years would likely reduce maintenance bills now. Leaving buildings to rot in an empty state results in higher cost later on.

 

[TrainViation]

I've just found a massive list of all interventions for bridges, viaducts, level crossings etc, surrounding electrification between Dunblane and Aberdeen, let me know if you can't access this link.

https://publicaccess.aberdeencity.gov.uk/online-applications/files/027FF6220DCAA4122369922F20D266AC/pdf/220591_ESC-Appendix_D_-_Simplified_Intervention_List-2139327.pdf

(As described above, link to Aberdeen City Council planning.)

 

[snowball]

I've just found a massive list of all interventions for bridges, viaducts, level crossings etc, surrounding electrification between Dunblane and Aberdeen, let me know if you can't access this link.

https://publicaccess.aberdeencity.gov.uk/online-applications/files/027FF6220DCAA4122369922F20D266AC/pdf/220591_ESC-Appendix_D_-_Simplified_Intervention_List-2139327.pdf

(As described above, link to Aberdeen City Council planning.)

First discussed on here in 2022. Did you perhaps find it by reading my reply to your question in the Borders electrification thread?

 

[TrainViation]

First discussed on here in 2022. Did you perhaps find it by reading my reply to your question in the Borders electrification thread?

Perhaps I did yes, very informative document.

 

[snowball]

I think four or five bridge demolitions, raisings or rebuilds listed in the document have happened since then.

 

[HSTEd]

The infrastructure should be owned by either the railway (or maybe the government, but railway is likely better) for that reason - to ensure it is maintained well. I'm in favour of reuse and adaptation of listed buildings (protecting the reasons why the building was listed, obviously), whether that is as shops, offices, a hotel, housing, or something else, but buildings that close to the railway should be owned by the railway to avoid adverse consequences in the future, like what happened in Ayr.

Buildings can then be leased or rented out, depending on use. Whether that will cover maintenance costs will likely depend on the individual building and potentially vary from year to year, however selling is too risky as the railway loses control, and even if the first owner is responsible, that doesn't guarantee future owners will be!

I don't know if Perth is in the same situation as Ayr. There the hotel was a towering structure directly adjacent to the tracks.

From Google Earth and Street view, the Perth station complex is a sprawling affair, especially once you consider the stabling facility.
I don't think there is anything like the same potential for issues caused by buildings falling over. You could probably sell off more than half the site post a rationalisation and still have more than enough space.

EDIT

I suppose if you wanted to do the proposed relocation, you could probably eliminate the risk to operations from much of the existing main station structure by routing trains for the Highlands as far west on the site as possible. The chances of anything falling over to endanger the tracks then would be very small. Then you'd only have to worry about the buildings on the diverging line.

 

[HighlandStorm]

There was this plan that sees through platforms 3&4 removed / filled in and the train shed removed, with removal of buildings between 3 and carpark into new public realm area, stubs of 3&4 retained as south facing bays. Platform 5&6 made through lines. Restores original building facade as station entrance.

Something dramatic needs done. I don’t buy the grand station of particular architectural merit - it’s a complete Hell hole and the coldest place on earth!

A great benefit of the EGIP project is its now much better to change at Stirling for electric services to Edinburgh or Glasgow avoiding this hole entirely when travelling from the Highland Mainline Stations!

 

[Morayshire]

Another bridge replacement project planning application has been lodged, this time its a bridge in Laurencekirk

P&J article claims it is mainly due to its condition but that the replacement will "accomodate" any future electrification

Laurencekirk railway bridge to be demolished and replaced during four months of work

Laurencekirk railway bridge to be demolished and replaced during four months of work​

Extensive works are planned to replace the bridge, which stand over the main rail line in and out of Aberdeen.
By Isaac Buchan
August 17 2026, 1:16 pm
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The bridge repairs will last for four months. Image: Google Maps


Network Rail chiefs have submitted plans to replace a “deteriorating” bridge in Laurencekirk over the main railway line in and out of Aberdeen.
The crossing on Blackiemuir Avenue will be demolished and rebuilt.
Works are expected to last from the start of November to the end of March 2027, with any disruption to trains yet to be revealed.
Network Rail says the plans could accommodate the potential electrification of trains in the future.

What works are being carried out?​

The railway bridge currently carries Blackiemuir Avenue over the main Dundee to Aberdeen railway line at Laurencekirk.
Planning papers say that these major repair works are required as the existing footpaths “were found to be inadequate due to their deteriorated condition and must be replaced”.

A temporary footbridge will be installed while work is ongoing. Image: Network Rail
The current crossing will be demolished to allow for the installation of a new deck – the part of the bridge which sits above the supports but below the actual road.

What will the Laurencekirk railway works look like?​

In a letter to residents, Network Rail said that the work will be carried out during the day “wherever it is safe and possible to do so”.
However, it adds that “many activities” will have to take place overnight due to the busy train schedule.

It is unclear whether the repair plans will lead to any railway delays for travellers.
Network Rail is hosting a community drop-in event for residents to find out more on Thursday 27 August between 4pm and 7pm.
You can view the full plans here.

Link to the Aberdeenshire Council Planning portal for APP/2026/1380 "Erection of Replacement Bridge Over Railway, Blackiemuir Avenue, Laurencekirk" is below

APP/2026/1380 - REPLACEMENT BRIDGE OVER RAILWAY