Scottish Electrification updates & discussion

[mcmad]

Coming back to the present, has anyone seen any reports confirming that E to G went live last Sunday eg actual test trains into QS?

It'll only be livened up initially during possessions to allow testing/checks that all the correct bonding and sections are in place before actual testing with trains takes place.

 

[NotATrainspott]

When the Dalmeny/Almond Chord gets built and electrified, would there be a case for wiring up to Dalmeny as well? A small length of run-off wiring would be needed at either end of the new chord anyway, and as far as I can tell there are no major structures in the way. The point of this would be to wire up the sidings at Dalmeny yard so that they could be used to stable or turn back electric trains. For instance, you could extend the peak ECML stopper so that it starts at Edinburgh Gateway rather than having to shunt at Haymarket like it does today. The alternative would be to turnback and shunt trains on the chord itself, which might not be a great idea depending upon the number of trains that will be running on it.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It's not just access for Hitachi emus. It's also to allow ECML trains to access Waverley from the West when the eastern entrance is unavailable during the planned upgrades, and indeed to allow WCML trains to do the reverse.

I'm not against electrification of the sub line, but the fact that many ECML trains will be bi-mode (VTEC, TPE) or diesel (XC) does depress the business case.
Doesn't help the WCML services though.

 

[NotATrainspott]

I'm not against electrification of the sub line, but the fact that many ECML trains will be bi-mode (VTEC, TPE) or diesel (XC) does depress the business case.
Doesn't help the WCML services though.

Most of the ICEC services will be electric-only. The single backup engine limits the electric sets to 30mph away from the wires, which would hardly be ideal for the not-inconsiderable distance along the South Sub. The TPE services will probably be going over to electric traction too in approximately the same timescale once TP North is done. Also, if the line isn't wired then the division of services between any single remaining electrified line into Waverley and the South Sub route would be suboptimal. EMUs that aren't carrying many passengers will take up line space that could be used to get an InterCity service in on time.

 

[Southsider]

Some good photos on the Network Rail twitter feed of the removal of the old bridge and installation of the new at Carmuirs

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailSCOT

 

[Rail Bus]

What will the service pattern be on the Shotts line once it's electrified?

 

[Altnabreac]

What will the service pattern be on the Shotts line once it's electrified?

There's been nothing official. The 2043 indicative timetable in the Scotland Route Study Appendices only shows 1 change to now proposing an hourly stopping service from Shotts to Glasgow Central St Low Level.

If that were to be implemented I'd like to see the current slow and semi fast services abolished and replaced with 2tph semi fast with hourly stops for Addiewell and Fauldhouse, 2tph for Bellshill, Shotts, West Calder, Livingston South.

Ideally you'd also want a West Calder stopping service as well to allow the 2tph to avoid the Edinburgh Suburban Stations. This isn't proposed in the ITT and is unlikely to fit into Waverley so would probably have to terminate at a Haymarket platform 5.

In the short term it may just be the same service as now but with better acceleration making it a wee bit faster.

 

[InOban]

Presumably it will now be double track throughout? I'm sure sections were singled to provide clearance under some of the now-replaced bridges.

 

[Mordac]

Presumably it will now be double track throughout? I'm sure sections were singled to provide clearance under some of the now-replaced bridges.

Nope Shotts line is all double track throughout.

EDIT: Actually i think it's a single lead junction with the Edinburgh to Carstairs line. But doubt track otherwise.

 

[najaB]

Nope Shotts line is all double track throughout.

EDIT: Actually i think it's a single lead junction with the Edinburgh to Carstairs line. But doubt track otherwise.

Going by memory, it's not a single lead junction.

 

[Mordac]

Going by memory, it's not a single lead junction.

I checked the sectional appendix and you're right. Should've trusted my initial instinct.

 

[Railsigns]

Midcalder Junction was remodelled in 2013. It's no longer a single lead junction.

 

[me123]

I thought it was single lead, and a quick look at Google Maps seems to suggest that it is*. Otherwise double track or better for its entire length.

*Edit: I was going to say unless anything had changed, and the remodelling in 2013 would certainly be a change.

 

[QueensCurve]

If the Forth and Tay Bridges and the tunnel referred to the north of end of the Forth Bridge are too difficult to electrify why not just use Bi-mode trains or battery trains to cover those short distances? If it is expected to take 10 - 15 years to get the wires this far one would like to think that battery technology will have moved on and improved since the Class 379 was tested a couple of years ago.

Not yet but you can be sure if NR threaten to install the electrification unsympathically on the Tay Bridge that a listing will appear extremel;y quickly. Additionally could the Tay Bridge actually support OHL wires and kit upon it?

Please, please please let us get the Forth and Tay bridges wired. Far from being "unsympathetic" I suggest that Portals would visually balance the Tay Bridge low and high girders sections.

I would still be interested to know whether or not the High Girders section of the Tay Bridge provides clearance for the wires.

 

[QueensCurve]

Nope Shotts line is all double track throughout.

EDIT: Actually i think it's a single lead junction with the Edinburgh to Carstairs line. But doubt track otherwise.

It was, but has been redoubled in the last few years.

 

[marks87]

Please, please please let us get the Forth and Tay bridges wired. Far from being "unsympathetic" I suggest that Portals would visually balance the Tay Bridge low and high girders sections.

I would still be interested to know whether or not the High Girders section of the Tay Bridge provides clearance for the wires.

I would think so. Just. But I'd expect it to not be wires under the high girders, but conductor rail.

 

[QueensCurve]

I would think so. Just. But I'd expect it to not be wires under the high girders, but conductor rail.

I think someone told me that before.

Dementia creeping in. :-?

 

[Kite159]

I couldn't help noticing on Saturday when at the very limited used Breich that the footbridge seems quite low for the wires on the Shotts line.

Will it follow the likes of Pilning/Polesworth and loss the footbridge with an additional call being made with a Glasgow bound service to allow any passenger(s) to double back via Shotts/Fauldhouse towards Edinburgh?

 

[NotATrainspott]

I couldn't help noticing on Saturday when at the very limited used Breich that the footbridge seems quite low for the wires on the Shotts line.

Will it follow the likes of Pilning/Polesworth and loss the footbridge with an additional call being made with a Glasgow bound service to allow any passenger(s) to double back via Shotts/Fauldhouse towards Edinburgh?

There's a new road bridge immediately west of the station so I think a simple path would be in order.

 

[XC90]

It was, but has been redoubled in the last few years.

It's a single lead junction north bound towards Carstairs station but I'm sure I read somewhere that is going to be upgraded.

 

[QueensCurve]

There's a new road bridge immediately west of the station so I think a simple path would be in order.

Now you have me confused. I thought we were talking about Midcalder Junction at Midcalder/Kirknewton?

 

[snowball]

Now you have me confused. I thought we were talking about Midcalder Junction at Midcalder/Kirknewton?

I thought Kite159 was talking about Breich station and NotAtrainspott was replying about the same location.

 

[nicholaswood]

Lots of work getting done over the summer by the looks of it!

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/news/keeping-you-moving

 

[Kite159]

I thought Kite159 was talking about Breich station and NotAtrainspott was replying about the same location.

I was on about Breich, only noticing its low footbridge, thinking for the level of use Breich gets it would be wasteful to spend money on a new bridge or even an additional footpath from the nearby road.

[Where it would probably make more sense financially to put an additional call on the 06:55 Edinburgh to Glasgow Central service, to allow any such passengers to double back at Fauldhouse, removing the call from the 07:13 Glasgow Central - Edinburgh service, and to abandon the Edinburgh platform]

 

[Class 170101]

Any ideas what services the 380s are working on between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh from May Timetable Change please?

 

[InOban]

Has anyone yet seen or heard of any electric train actually operating on test between Newbridge and QS?

 

[gunn13]

The 09:30 EDB - GLQ and the 15:30 GLQ - EDB will be a seven car 380 for sure. There will be more 380s at various times.

Driver and conductor training currently being carried out on Dunbar/North Berwicks

 

[superkev]

Any ideas what services the 380s are working on between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh from May Timetable Change please?

I haven't read anywhere that any of the route had been made live or any test or driver training trains run.
K

 

[Starmill]

The 09:30 EDB - GLQ and the 15:30 GLQ - EDB will be a seven car 380 for sure. There will be more 380s at various times.

Driver and conductor training currently being carried out on Dunbar/North Berwicks

Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, but they haven't removed First Class from these or any others in the timetable.

 

[Clansman]

Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, but they haven't removed First Class from these or any others in the timetable.

Wonder how the lack of first class will go down with the regular punters on that service - even if the next one is 15 minutes later!?