Scottish Electrification updates & discussion

[Stopper]

Before retiring last year I was an occasional morning Edinburgh to South Gyle user and there were quite a few getting off there. The train terminated there though.

I know that South Gyle is a fairly busy commuter station but I was curious to know if anyone knows how many people use it from Midlothian and the Borders

 

[najaB]

There’s a Tweedbank-Edinburgh service that runs through to South Gyle in the morning peak, and obviously some go right through to Glenrothes. I’d be interested to know passenger numbers for Border line stations-South Gyle. Could possibly introduce a North Berwick/Dunbar peak service right through to South Gyle.

For the time being electrification as far as Dalmeny is a moot point for Borders services, but would be essential for a Dunbar-South Gyle service since terminators run to the passenger loops before returning to Haymarket/Edinburgh.

 

[mark-h]

Can trains call at both South Gyle and Edinburgh Park?

Perhaps Edinburgh Gateway here

There are a few services that stop at both South Gyle and Edinburgh Gateway. They tend to be very early morning or late evening and on Sundays.

 

[railjock]

I know that South Gyle is a fairly busy commuter station but I was curious to know if anyone knows how many people use it from Midlothian and the Borders

Sorry, I meant Eskbank to South Gyle. Quite well used for people working at South Gyle and Edinburgh Park. Maybe 30/40 getting off there from the 8:03 from Eskbank though some wil have got on at Edinburgh stations.

 

[route101]

With through services from Borders to Glasgow , cant see it now with electrification

 

[InOban]

I see that NR are tweeting that they are checking the OHLE between Greenville and Polmont via Grahamston, which suggests that it is all installed, and about to be energised.

Now announced as going live on May 1st.

 

[Altnabreac]

An update on electrification of the Highland Main Line from Perth to Inverness!

The updated DMRB Stage 3 design for the A9 dualling in the Kingussie area was consulted on last week at public meetings.
https://www.transport.gov.scot/publ...pril-2018-crubenmore-to-kincraig-a9-dualling/

It includes this rail relevant comment on page 6 about the proposed new junction at Kingussie:

Development of the junction proposals include improved headroom to the A86 (Kerrow Road) and Highland Mainline Railway to accommodate future overhead line electrification.

Good to see that future electrification is being taken into account on the HML.

 

[edwin_m]

Clearance for OLE is pretty much standard in any new highway over rail bridge. Unless there's some site constraint the extra cost of making it that bit higher is lost in the noise compared with the scheme cost.

 

[najaB]

Clearance for OLE is pretty much standard in any new highway over rail bridge.

Possibly reading it wrong but I got the impression that increasing the clearance is the main reason for the new bridge.

Edit: Ignore me, I was being thick.

 

[Southsider]

Now announced as going live on May 1st.

When will the services go over to EMU operation? Is that delayed by the 385 situation?

 

[InOban]

Going live doesn't mean passed by the ORR for passenger services. But I think it will just be a diversionary route until they have enough emus to launch the service via Cumbernauld. Goodness'knows when that will be.

 

[Stopper]

What’s happening to the Cumbernauld-Dumbarton Central service after the new Cumbernauld services are running? It’s quite regularly terminated at Springburn and is the least used North Clyde line train, I was wondering if it will be cut back to Springburn.

 

[Altnabreac]

Clearance for OLE is pretty much standard in any new highway over rail bridge. Unless there's some site constraint the extra cost of making it that bit higher is lost in the noise compared with the scheme cost.

Basically they were going to widen an existing (S2) bridge that isn’t high enough but the revised design instead proposes an entirely new (D2) Bridge because of the ongoing plans for electrification of the HML. This is definitely good news of some long term thinking.

 

[Ginaro]

Development of the junction proposals include improved headroom to the A86 (Kerrow Road) and Highland Mainline Railway to accommodate future overhead line electrification.

Good to see that future electrification is being taken into account on the HML.

Wide enough for double track as well?

 

[InOban]

I would hope so.

 

[najaB]

Wide enough for double track as well?

I would be *very* surprised if it isn't.

 

[Altnabreac]

Wide enough for double track as well?

It doesn't specify in the current levels of design work done but as others have said it would be very surprising not to do that even though the line is single track there at present.

 

[ScottDarg]

A pair of Colas 37s arrived at Mossend with MENTOR today.

I'm assuming the set will work this path that runs between Greenhill & Polmont several times tomorrow night: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U35941/2018/04/27/advanced

 

[Altnabreac]

Travelled between Camelon and Stirling today and electrification is looking very advanced. Most masts are up and all but Kerse Road of the structures are sorted. Wiring is just starting as well. All in all looks to be very good progress.

 

[InOban]

Actually where the M9 crosses the line near Plean all the posts are up, but bare, and that hasn't changed for some time. I was hoping for progress when I drove up this afternoon.

 

[mcmad]

Wires are up as far as Larbert junction but no further. Still patches of missing masts around former Plean Junction and a couple of other spots, possible awaits Scottish Power works to overhead cables.

 

[Chris125]

How far off is the Grangemouth branch?

Incidentally an interesting stat from today's Modern Railways meet up at the NRM:

"Delivery of EGIP electrification has slipped - issues around contractor performance, additional compliance work and issues from previous programmes. Costs escalated, emerging around £1.5 million/single track km"

 

[59CosG95]

If any of you Scottish nightowls want something to see tonight, the path for a MENTOR test train (37254 + 3 coaches (one of which is MENTOR) + 37099) is up on RTT. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U35941/2018/04/27/advanced
(Headcode is 1Q18; no sign of it traversing the Grangemouth branch on this run, sadly)

 

[mcmad]

Wires are only ready for testing on the main lines, limit of electrification is just after the junction

 

[59CosG95]

Masts due to go up between Hartwood & Livingston on the Shotts line over the next 6 days. https://twitter.com/shottslineelec/status/989825590751526912
Drilling work also due to take place in Cleland/Carfin Cutting: https://twitter.com/shottslineelec/status/989825600314597376

 

[Fougasse]

Actually where the M9 crosses the line near Plean all the posts are up, but bare, and that hasn't changed for some time. I was hoping for progress when I drove up this afternoon.

Wires are also up from just north of Larbert siding to about a klick after M876 overbridge.

Wires are up as far as Larbert junction but no further. Still patches of missing masts around former Plean Junction and a couple of other spots, possible awaits Scottish Power works to overhead cables.

 

[DuncanS]

As of sometime over the weekend we now have a "danger of death" sign on the shelter at Camelon.

 

[59CosG95]

https://twitter.com/ScotRail/status/991205493602488320

Polmont Jct - Greenhill Jcts via Grangemouth Jct & Larbert Jct now live.

 

[DuncanS]

We've also had some Network Rail staff, or minimum wage paid students, handing out leaflets warning us of imminent death if we touch the wires.

 

[Mordac]

Don't lick anything!