Scottish Electrification updates & discussion

[najaB]

Regarding Greenhill Junction, are there still plans to grade separate it, or have those plans been quietly shelved?

There are plans, just no dates on them as far as I understand.

 

[adrock1976]

Thanks very much for the clarification.

 

[Carntyne]

Just heard someone from Scotrail on Radio Scotland say the new 385s will be delivered in a week with driver training to begin in December. Does that mean trains will actually be running on the network?

Testing.

 

[Ginaro]

Testing.

I suppose my question should have been, where about will they be testing?

 

[Clansman]

Sorry if I'm slow on this subject, but where do Scotrail stand in terms of bringing in electric services between Queen Street and Edinburgh?

Contrary to previous articles I've read it's hardly likely any 380s will be on the E-G by the end of the year.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I think driver training was supposed to start in time for them to start running in July.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Has anyone got any up to date progress prictures?

There's a couple of videos on Youtube of them on test at Newton Aycliffe.

Hopefully we'll a vast increase of photos and videos in the coming week or two when they are testing on the network.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I suppose my question should have been, where about will they be testing?

My guess is in and around Glasgow (on the Cathcart Circle) or between Edinburgh and Dunbar. Similar to the 380s.

 

[Class 170101]

The E&G won't be ready for either 380s never mind 385s by the end of the year.

 

[snowball]

Press release confirming that the A71 will close at West Calder (for 16 weeks from 5 Jan):

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/a71-to-close-for-west-calder-bridge-renewal

Exhibitions on 14 and 15 December.

The Daily Record has this:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/network-rail-begins-preparation-replacement-9324999

 

[170401]

Sorry if I'm slow on this subject, but where do Scotrail stand in terms of bringing in electric services between Queen Street and Edinburgh?

Contrary to previous articles I've read it's hardly likely any 380s will be on the E-G by the end of the year.

The whole project is currently running about 7 months late. Class 380 is expected to start running a select few E&G services around July using two 7 car sets with the 385's taking over in Autumn 2017.

Driver training on class 380 is expected to start pretty soon.

 

[gsnedders]

The whole project is currently running about 7 months late. Class 380 is expected to start running a select few E&G services around July using two 7 car sets with the 385's taking over in Autumn 2017.

Driver training on class 380 is expected to start pretty soon.

7 car sets? Does that limit them to platforms six and seven?

 

[Clansman]

7 car sets? Does that limit them to platforms six and seven?

No, as this issue was eradicated as part of the Queen Street refurbishment this year.

Every platform except for 1, is able to hold 7 carriages.

 

[adrock1976]

The whole project is currently running about 7 months late. Class 380 is expected to start running a select few E&G services around July using two 7 car sets with the 385's taking over in Autumn 2017.

Driver training on class 380 is expected to start pretty soon.

A couple of questions.

Regarding the driver training on the Class 380s, will it be the Glasgow QS based crew that requires a higher level (if that makes sense), as I believe it is most likely that they have never driven that traction before?

For the Edinburgh based crew, would it just be the route for the training of the Class 380, as they already sign the traction to North Berwick, and I believe also the Caledonian Railway route via Carstairs?

 

[route101]

Not sure if it is , but it look like the foundations for the masts are in being set out on the shotts line .

 

[edwin_m]

A couple of questions.

Regarding the driver training on the Class 380s, will it be the Glasgow QS based crew that requires a higher level (if that makes sense), as I believe it is most likely that they have never driven that traction before?

For the Edinburgh based crew, would it just be the route for the training of the Class 380, as they already sign the traction to North Berwick, and I believe also the Caledonian Railway route via Carstairs?

The answer will depend on whether the Edinburgh crews in question work different "links". As you say some of them will drive the 380 already, but some will also drive diesels on the E&G route. Someone will know if any or all of them do both.

 

[snowball]

Press release

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...e-re-opens-on-time-following-gbp-1-3m-upgrade

Biggar Road, Cleland has re-opened to traffic following completion of Network Rail’s work to upgrade the bridge over the railway in preparation for the electrification of the Shotts line which runs through the village.

Work on the £1.3m investment to replace the bridge deck and raise the height of the parapets was delivered over four months and completed on time and on budget to enable the road to re-open ahead of the busy pre-Christmas period.

Having demolished the old brick side walls and removed the deck using a vacuum excavator, the new bridge surface was created using 62 cubic metres of concrete and 6 tonnes of reinforcement before 16 pre-cast concrete parapets (side walls) were lifted into position using a 500 tonne crane sited in the station car park.

Network Rail is carrying out bridge replacements at 17 locations and increasing the height of 10 existing bridge parapets (side walls) ahead of the electrification of the Shotts line as part of a major Scottish Government programme of investment to upgrade central Scotland’s railway infrastructure. The bridge work in Cleland was to allow overhead electrification cables to be installed safely under bridges.

The completion of the bridge at Biggar Road in Cleland marks another step towards ‘height clearing’ bridges on the line and creating another fully electrified route connecting Scotland’s two major cities.

 

[mcmad]

Guess you don't know where to find the details.

Will see what is achieved with Santa and his elf's over the holidays and see then who is in what land when it's all done and dusted.

Prep works have been ongoing in Stirling for at least a couple of years.

So what did Santa and his Elfs achieve over Christmas?

Didn't notice any masts through Stirling today although I did see on the EGIP twitter feed that a UTX is to be completed at Greenhill for the new feeder station over New Year.

 

[Altnabreac]

Shotts Line Electrification Contract signed:

Network Rail awards £49m Shotts Line electrification contract

Network Rail has today (January 12) announced that Carillion Powerlines Ltd has won the contract to deliver the electrification of the Shotts line between Holytown Junction and Midcalder Junction.

The £49m contract will deliver 74km of electrified railway, as part of a wider £160m Scottish Government investment in the line between Scotland’s largest cities.

The contract covers the physical delivery of all elements required to electrify the line, such as erecting stanchions and stringing the overhead powerlines, and will be carried out in tandem with work on a range of bridges as part of a route clearance programme to ensure the power cables can run under structures on the line.

Electric services will be introduced on Edinburgh-Glasgow Central via Shotts following completion of the work in 2019 and will offer improved reliability and increased capacity for passengers.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government’s funding of the electrification of the Shotts Line, and our overall £5billion package of investment in our railway, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Scottish rail network.

“This work contributes to the transformation of services across the central belt as part of the wider package of investment to enhance rail travel between the country’s two biggest cities, meaning passengers will see shorter journey times, increased capacity and better reliability.

“This contract award is a major step forward in the delivery of the electrification programme and rail passengers across North Lanarkshire and West Lothian will feel the benefits for many years to come with an improved service on the line.”

Iain McFarlane, head of programme management for Network Rail, said: “This contract is a significant milestone for the delivery of the Shotts electrification project and further underlines our commitment to investing in and enhancing our infrastructure as part of our UK-wide railway upgrade plan.

“Throughout this project we will work closely with contractors, train operators and other stakeholders to deliver in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible while minimising disruption for both lineside communities and passengers.”

Martin C Smith, Managing Director Carillon Powerlines said “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract to electrify the Shotts line across central Scotland and we look forward to working with the project team to enhance the railway network.

“This award reflects the depth of experience we can demonstrate in delivering infrastructure enhancements in a railway environment and will further enhance the relationship we have developed with Network Rail.”

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...-gbp-49m-shotts-line-electrification-contract

Some interesting info in the notes as well:

Notes to Editors

Network Rail is on target to deliver the next phase of electrification of central Scotland’s railway network, between Holytown and Midcalder junctions – which will complete the electrification of the ‘Shotts Line’ between Edinburgh & Glasgow by March 2019.

The works comprise electrification of 74 single track kilometres of railway between Holytown Junction and Midcalder Junction to create when completed, the fourth fully electrified line between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The project is a Scottish Government investment and part of Network Rail’s UK wide railway upgrade plan.

The contract announced today covers all aspects of the physical delivery and installation of the electrification infrastructure including vegetation clearance, site and geological investigation, design, piling and mast installation, wire runs, safe supply of power, integration into the wider electrified rail network, energisation and all aspects of compliance with industry standards and regulation.

There are circa 1458 piled foundations required on the line to host approx. 1265 masts (97 Twin track cantilevers)

Additional Work

Separately, and in addition to the contract for the physical electrification of the line, the advanced clearance programme will see 17 structures on the line removed or replaced with an increase in the heights of parapets (side walls) at a further 10 bridges.

Work will also see new station footbridges at Addiewell and West Calder, platform extensions at three intermediate stations (Carfin, Shotts and West Calder) and the complete redevelopment of Livingston South station.

ScotRail will operate the “Shotts Line” services with the Hitachi class 385 electric multiple unit trains – the newest in the ScotRail fleet – which will also operate on Edinburgh – Glasgow line via Falkirk High (E&G).

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
We know that Brucefield West was the 10th bridge to be rebuilt of 19.

Since then we have also seen the completion of Benhar Road, Shotts (11), the A706 at Breich (12), Biggar Road, Cleland (13) and Parkhead Bridge in West Calder (14).

Currently underway are Station Road, Shotts (15) and the A71 at West Calder (16).

These notes confirm that 2 of the remaining structures are station footbridges at West Calder (17) and Addiewell (18).

That suggests there is one more structure requiring replacement after those 4 are complete. Not sure which one it is though.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

That's an encouraging cost of roughly £650K per stkm, much like the figure offered in the 2009 electrification RUS.
It's good that we are back to an acceptable cost for standard electrification.
The Shotts line is about as simple a line to wire as you could get, being just a double track route between two already-wired areas.
It's also a very long time since NR awarded a wiring contract.
We're still waiting for something similar for the outstanding phases of the NW electrification work.
Hopefully it's a sign that routine rollouts can continue without emptying the coffers before completion.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I wonder if the 19th worksite structurally is Livingston South Station? I assume re developing it means DDa type works and resurfaced and extended platforms

 

[clc]

During the Queen St closure I travelled this line from Edinburgh to Glasgow on the stopping service on one occasion. God it was it a long journey! Electrification would probably knock 10 mins off.

 

[QueensCurve]

During the Queen St closure I travelled this line from Edinburgh to Glasgow on the stopping service on one occasion. God it was it a long journey! Electrification would probably knock 10 mins off.

I traveled the route on a classic DMU in the early 1980s.

It was a Cinderella route then. I thought it might not survive let alone be electrified.

 

[Carntyne]

During the Queen St closure I travelled this line from Edinburgh to Glasgow on the stopping service on one occasion. God it was it a long journey! Electrification would probably knock 10 mins off.

At least! It'll be a great addition to the electrified network. Wonder if we'll see it go to the Low Level, or whether it'll stay in Central High Level.

 

[edwin_m]

That's an encouraging cost of roughly £650K per stkm, much like the figure offered in the 2009 electrification RUS.

However the RUS figure included an allowance for work on structures. Reading the press release carefully I'm pretty sure those are on another contract so not included in the £650k.

 

[route101]

I traveled the route on a classic DMU in the early 1980s.

It was a Cinderella route then. I thought it might not survive let alone be electrified.

Quite often use the Fast via Shotts services , usually quieter than via Falkirk High . Its 2 trains an hour from Glasgow but they depart close together.

 

[edwin_m]

Quite often use the Fast via Shotts services , usually quieter than via Falkirk High . Its 2 trains an hour from Glasgow but they depart close together.

With no overtaking place along the route they have to. The difference between the fast and slow times, and hence the even-ness of departure intervals, should reduce after electrification.

I wonder if the Ayr-Edinburgh trains will go this way instead of Carstairs.

 

[92002]

Would think that is a distinct possibility. They will slot into the limited stop path via Shotts and new Carstairs trains created. Hopefully with much better end to end timings. The current Carstairs trains are even slower than the Shotts stopper.

So much to look forward to.

 

[Starmill]

Would think that is a distinct possibility. They will slot into the limited stop path via Shotts and new Carstairs trains created. Hopefully with much better end to end timings. The current Carstairs trains are even slower than the Shotts stopper.

Well that's just not true. The Shotts stopper often takes over an hour and a half. The XC via Carstairs takes about an hour, SR varies but generally 1h10.

 

[me123]

I wonder if the Ayr-Edinburgh trains will go this way instead of Carstairs.

I thought that Glasgow to Ayr was to remain 380 operated, whereas the Shotts line would be 385s? This could be a barrier depending on who gets trained on the new units, which routes are cleared etc. It may be that the through services get pulled. With the services East of Edinburgh going to 385s as well, there will be no link between the two fleets.

There's little benefit in providing through trains between Ayrshire and Edinburgh via Glasgow in reality. Scotrail and the Scottish Government can pat themselves on the back and joyously celebrate the new link, but it's still a long route and it's still often the case the trudging through Glasgow city centre is preferable (i.e. provides the quickest journey).

 

[Altnabreac]

I thought that Glasgow to Ayr was to remain 380 operated, whereas the Shotts line would be 385s? This could be a barrier depending on who gets trained on the new units, which routes are cleared etc. It may be that the through services get pulled. With the services East of Edinburgh going to 385s as well, there will be no link between the two fleets.

There's little benefit in providing through trains between Ayrshire and Edinburgh via Glasgow in reality. Scotrail and the Scottish Government can pat themselves on the back and joyously celebrate the new link, but it's still a long route and it's still often the case the trudging through Glasgow city centre is preferable (i.e. provides the quickest journey).

Indeed removing the through service actually creates capacity by removing services that cross the throat at Central.

 

[kylemore]

Goods news and what a contrast to the mess down south!

 

[QueensCurve]

it's still often the case the trudging through Glasgow city centre is preferable (i.e. provides the quickest journey).

Not a "trudge" for me. I enjoy that walk.