Scottish Electrification updates & discussion

[edwin_m]

They are available on the National Rail website:
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/industry-commercial-partners/information-operating-companies/national-electronic-sectional-appendix/

That's the Network Rail website, and the same link as I posted in your quote.

 

[InOban]

Thanks for the links. As it says, N means no published clearance, not that there is definitely an issue. For example, in the loco section, the class 68 is given as N for the whole WHL, even though, being lighter than the 66/7, it would presumably have fewer issues with the extreme speed limits set for that class over certain bridges.

 

[Geogregor]

That's the Network Rail website, and the same link as I posted in your quote.

Silly me, missed the link

And of course stupid mistake with the name

 

[InOban]

9th April, as reported earlier on this thread (posts 1213 and 1246)

Is this still on for today? When, and will there be an publicity?

 

[signallerscot]

06:00 and no.

 

[QueensCurve]

Remember that the main constraint on capacity into the station is the two-track tunnel and incline. Having more platform space does allow more capacity in the sense that you can have some more trains arrive than leave, or vice-versa, at peak times but this isn't an especially efficient or scalable method. In the short term the last simple thing that can be done is to electrify the Anniesland service. Sending trains out to Anniesland and back is a convenient way of getting rid of them during busy times without sending them too far to make up a return journey.

Presumably the constraint has been eased to an extent by the increase in the speeds through the junction at the station throat.

 

[QueensCurve]

If it wasn't for Buchanan Galleries which no doubt was a developer making money more than anything else, the station throat could have been extended into the tunnel with additional platforms in the parking area. When will we learn not to build on railway land when more and more people want to travel by train?

It was not the case that more people were traveling by train at the time these developments happened.

British rail rightly saw developers' money as a way they could benefit at a time when revenues were falling.

Rationalisation was an important buzzword.

 

[QueensCurve]

Isn't it rather wasteful to use 100mph trains pottering to Anniesland and back when they could be out on a mainline somewhere?

Not if they operate "in marginal time".

If they were lying over at QS, and could be sent to Anniesland and back to in time for their next duty.

It was this that justified through HST services from Kings X to Aberdeen and Inverness in the 1980s.

 

[InOban]

06:00 and no.

I suppose they'll wait until it's​ convenient for some hiheidyin to come for a photo op. Guess who arriving in QS on a test train.

 

[Train man]

The A71 at West Calder is open and tempory traffic lights are in operation. Taken via Snapchat

 

[InOban]

The A71 at West Calder is open and tempory traffic lights are in operation. Taken via Snapchat

There are several more pictures in the NR Scottish Twitter pages.

 

[Drumtochty]

Minor Issue at Aberdeen Station re electrification.

Aberdeen Council, Network Rail etc. agreed a year or so ago to a scheme to remove Athol House an office building built in 1973 which sits over the north rail track of Aberdeen Station and replace it with a new development.

The original 1973 development also came with major changes to the station such as closing platforms 8 and 9 which were through platforms from south to north.

One of the items agreed in the new scheme was that the buildings to replace Athol House had to have clearance to allow electrification of the north lines to the latest regulations.

Now the developer “Atholl Square Developments Limited” has pulled out and started the paperwork to dissolve the company.

Anyone who travels about Aberdeen will comment on the large number of empty office buildings in the city due probably in equal parts to the oversupply of offices that started to be built in 2011 and 2012 and also the lower oil price which has reduced economic activity in the area. The developer is just facing cold economic facts.

The existing owners are trying to relet the building in the short term and to possibly redevop it in the longer term.

https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandg...2017-04-10&utm_term=Energy Voice - Newsletter

Hopefully this will not prevent electrification taking place circa 2030.

 

[route:oxford]

The existing owners are trying to relet the building in the short term and to possibly redevop it in the longer term.

https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandg...2017-04-10&utm_term=Energy Voice - Newsletter

Hopefully this will not prevent electrification taking place circa 2030.

Looks like a convenient place to move the occupants of the Palace of Westminster to for a few years.

Be fun to see the Sturgeon girn and attack "Aberdeen" rather than Westminster.

 

[superkev]

06:00 and no.

Is any of the egip now live?
K

 

[InOban]

They're keeping very quiet. Nothing on Twitter.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I think we assume it is and look forward to the electric services starting, something which should be quite nice when the new 385s enter traffic.

 

[92002]

I think we assume it is and look forward to the electric services starting, something which should be quite nice when the new 385s enter traffic.

If you're going to wait on 385s there could be a bit of a wait.

Staff have been undergoing training on 380s to be used till the 385s arrive. Training will now be done on the newly electrified line. 380s due to start with the May timetable change.

380s being cascaded from Inverclyde services, which get the joys of 314s.

 

[FS-2-11]

I took my first trip on the E&G in c.10 years yesterday and made a point of having a closer look at developments.

All the main line wiring and overruns are in place now, although there are quite a few locations, notably around Polmont/Falkirk High and Cadder Yard, where the OHLE is still earth-strapped. A start has been made on Greenhill-Carmuirs, and the line north from Cumbernauld, where it passes under the E&G, has masts in place.

Some of the masts, particularly on the Almond Viaduct, have their EG plates covered up for some reason.

It did surprise me how little of Eastfield Depot is wired, so unless that is done over the summer I guess that will remain a small facility for the diesel fleet, with Millerhill for the AC units.

Queen Street High Level's OHLE now appears to have all the insulation in place - previously the headspan wires were tied straight to the supports as a temporary measure. The remodelling has improved arrival and departure speeds.

Some of the overbridge parapet extensions along the line look incredibly cheap - vertical metal plates bolted directly to the bridge structure. Effective as protection, but it looks terrible.

But overall - from someone who grew up to the sound of 27s peching up the hill - I couldn't be happier that it's finally almost here.

 

[Mordac]

Did you lick something to make sure it was live? :P

 

[och aye]

380s being cascaded from Inverclyde services, which get the joys of 314s.

WOW! Lucky people. Although to be fair, they were refurbished not too long ago.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Woant be rushing to bash 380s on the E and G as IMO they are not the nicest things on the rails however the Inverclydes having some 314s back after all this time is something I shall be sampling as they are a lot of fun at full wack.

 

[Clansman]

If the 380s had full-length tables and carpeted floors, they'd be far more superior than their 350 counterparts down South - not that they nearly already are.

I've only ever used 314s when off to Hampden, and they cope with the demand pretty decently. Having been on a 334 on this route during these times also, I worry for the 385s on this route for many a reason.

 

[Ginaro]

Is there any news of what is next to be electrified post-2020? If not, when are we likely to find out?

I'm interested in the Fife Circle, which the OP has down as an unlikely 2024! Can the Forth Bridge even be electrified, and how much work would it be to fix the Kinghorn tunnel? Does the Halbeath bypass affect things if it gets the go ahead?

Sorry for all the questions :P

 

[clc]

Is there any news of what is next to be electrified post-2020? If not, when are we likely to find out?

We'll know in June when the HLOS is published. Strong contenders are East Kilbride, Barrhead, Maryhill and Edinburgh South Sub.

 

[QueensCurve]

Queen Street High Level's OHLE now appears to have all the insulation in place - previously the headspan wires were tied straight to the supports as a temporary measure. The remodelling has improved arrival and departure speeds.

Any photo of the revised headspan wires?

Did you lick something to make sure it was live? :razz:

I did that with my Hornby Dublo power supply around about 1970. A litterally shocking experience packing considerably more umph than a PP9.

 

[gsnedders]

I'm interested in the Fife Circle, which the OP has down as an unlikely 2024! Can the Forth Bridge even be electrified, and how much work would it be to fix the Kinghorn tunnel? Does the Halbeath bypass affect things if it gets the go ahead?

They are almost certainly going to get electrified. Both the Forth Bridge and various tunnels (IIRC, the tunnel immediately north of the bridge is fairly tight too) are going to be significant challenges for the work, hence the last proposal I heard included at least one or two control periods of design work for the tricky parts of the route, so we're likely talking mid-CP7 or CP8 before the Fife Circle gets electrified. And Markinch to Dundee may well wait a few more years after that.

 

[Southsider]

Woant be rushing to bash 380s on the E and G as IMO they are not the nicest things on the rails however the Inverclydes having some 314s back after all this time is something I shall be sampling as they are a lot of fun at full wack.

Meanwhile back on planet earth I recently travelled from Muirend to Ayr. The 314 rattled, clattered and banged its way to Central but the 380 glided rapidly and gracefully to Ayr. The 314s do their job but it must require an enthusiast's perspective to prefer them to the 380!

 

[me123]

Have to agree with that sentiment. Inverclyde pax will be going from having comfortable, bright, modern carriages with 2+2 seating and adequate luggage space to having old trains with 3+2 low-back seating, doors that will open at every stop come rain or shine, and a much poorer journey quality. Of course, it will only be a short term issue (and they do get 314s from time to time even at present) but I reckon quite a few pax will be mighty miffed.

 

[najaB]

And Markinch to Dundee may well wait a few more years after that.

The only difficult structure between Markinch and Dundee is the Tay Bridge. It's not a World Heritage Site so it will be much easier to implement a solution than for the Forth Bridge.

 

[Ginaro]

Thanks for the replies. Makes sense to fill in those missing sections first.