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Expansions for Scotland's rail network proposed

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hexagon789

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nearest present electrification looks to be Kirkhill which isn't much use to EK!

I'm getting a bit confused. If it's where trains from East Kilbride can actually get to on rails on their journey then the nearest is from Muirhouse Central Junction and from there into Glasgow Central.

If it's the nearest location of present OLE to East Kilbride it would be something on the Newton branch - as you suggest Kirkhill or something.
 
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gingertom

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I'm getting a bit confused. If it's where trains from East Kilbride can actually get to on rails on their journey then the nearest is from Muirhouse Central Junction and from there into Glasgow Central.

If it's the nearest location of present OLE to East Kilbride it would be something on the Newton branch - as you suggest Kirkhill or something.
the planners need to take the long term view and have a power strategy for the EK branch, Barrhead, Kilmarnock and beyond to Dumfries and Gretna.
 

hexagon789

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the planners need to take the long term view and have a power strategy for the EK branch, Barrhead, Kilmarnock and beyond to Dumfries and Gretna.

Certainly East Kilbride, Barrhead and Kilmarnock would be worthwhile because of the frequency.

Ideally Kilmarnock-Dumfries-Gretna Junction to provide a fully electrified WCML diversionary route and also Kilmarnock to Barassie Junction would be ideal.
 

Southsider

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Certainly East Kilbride, Barrhead and Kilmarnock would be worthwhile because of the frequency.

Ideally Kilmarnock-Dumfries-Gretna Junction to provide a fully electrified WCML diversionary route and also Kilmarnock to Barassie Junction would be ideal.
From what’s been revealed so far Transport Scotland and Network Rail have scoped a project covering East Kilbride and Barrhead which facilitates the potential further electrifications mentioned above. Yesterday’s reply confirmed that it would include provision for extra capacity, presumably more frequent, longer trains and improved accessibility at stations, essentially the same as what has been done on the Shotts line so not cutting corners. It sounds like a significant improvement all round but I’m still concerned at the reluctance on the part of the minister to put timescales forward as this is good news and has been in the pipeline for a long time.
 

hexagon789

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From what’s been revealed so far Transport Scotland and Network Rail have scoped a project covering East Kilbride and Barrhead which facilitates the potential further electrifications mentioned above. Yesterday’s reply confirmed that it would include provision for extra capacity, presumably more frequent, longer trains and improved accessibility at stations, essentially the same as what has been done on the Shotts line so not cutting corners. It sounds like a significant improvement all round but I’m still concerned at the reluctance on the part of the minister to put timescales forward as this is good news and has been in the pipeline for a long time.

I'm glad to hear that the proposals are more significant than just basic electrification, the other improvements are definitely to be welcomed.

I agree, the lack of official timescales is rather frustrating, but I'm glad that it is being discussed/considered.
 

route:oxford

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Closest possibly but they don't run that way. I assumed route:oxford meant the closest en route.

I did indeed.

Essentially if the a 385 Battery Hybrid would have to travel more than 60 miles in total away from the wires in each return diagram from Glasgow to East Kilbryde.
 

hexagon789

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which puts it within range but opens up a can of worms with what would be a dedicated microfleet.

Couldn't one make them all battery-equipped with ability for regenerative braking to charge the battery and then supply additional power for acceleration as necessary so it's more worthwhile?

I think in the long run full electrification would prove more logical.
 

gingertom

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Couldn't one make them all battery-equipped with ability for regenerative braking to charge the battery and then supply additional power for acceleration as necessary so it's more worthwhile?

I think in the long run full electrification would prove more logical.
the problem with fitting them all with batteries is the carrying of unnecessary weight on all the other routes that don't need them needs extra energy to move them. I'd rather we avoid this inefficiency by wiring the route.
 

JLUK144

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the problem with fitting them all with batteries is the carrying of unnecessary weight on all the other routes that don't need them needs extra energy to move them. I'd rather we avoid this inefficiency by wiring the route.
Hear hear. The extra weight would also slow the trains down negating any reduction in timings that electrification would bring. Furthermore, I consider battery operated trains a half hearted attempt to electrify the service and would obviously not bring the same amount of benefits full electrification would bring to the Glasgow South Western.
 

najaB

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Furthermore, I consider battery operated trains a half hearted attempt to electrify the service and would obviously not bring the same amount of benefits full electrification would bring to the Glasgow South Western.
That entirely depends on how much battery running they do v on OHLE. If battery power is used so that the Difficult Bits® can be bypassed then, overall, it may allow more miles of wires for the buck.
 

CEN60

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From what’s been revealed so far Transport Scotland and Network Rail have scoped a project covering East Kilbride and Barrhead which facilitates the potential further electrifications mentioned above. Yesterday’s reply confirmed that it would include provision for extra capacity, presumably more frequent, longer trains and improved accessibility at stations, essentially the same as what has been done on the Shotts line so not cutting corners. It sounds like a significant improvement all round but I’m still concerned at the reluctance on the part of the minister to put timescales forward as this is good news and has been in the pipeline for a long time.

I understand that the Engineering Consultants WSP (Based in Queen Street) are currently doing a fesibility report for NR / TS on East Kilbride Electrification. (Not quite as "straightforward" as Shotts.)
 

hexagon789

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the problem with fitting them all with batteries is the carrying of unnecessary weight on all the other routes that don't need them needs extra energy to move them. I'd rather we avoid this inefficiency by wiring the route.

As would I, it was just a suggestion to avoid having a small battery-fitted subclass.
 

route101

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I understand that the Engineering Consultants WSP (Based in Queen Street) are currently doing a fesibility report for NR / TS on East Kilbride Electrification. (Not quite as "straightforward" as Shotts.)

Hopefully its a goer .
 

Southsider

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I don't work for the consultant i mentioned - I think the project is not without its challenges!
There are challenges, we’ve covered them over on the electrification thread previously. From an electrification point of view there’s nothing that hasn’t been done before, it will be interesting to see if they go for full double tracking beyond Busby.
 
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adrock1976

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What's it called? It's called Cumbernauld
There are challenges, we’ve covered them over on the electrification thread previously. From an electrification point of view there’s nothing that hasn’t been done before, it will be interesting to see if they go for full double tracking beyond Busby.

I would be in favour of doubling the track beyond Busby, as this would be a big help in providing timetable robustness.

The present infrastructure only just about works when the frequency is doubled to every 15 minutes in the direction of the Monday - Friday peak flows, and if there are any delays beyond Busby on the single track section, the EK bound trains have to wait at Busby until the Glasgow bound train has arrived. This leads to the rest of the service along the line running with delays.
 

d9009alycidon

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Such a pity that the old line beyond the station was built on just to the other side of the road, an extension to the east of the town at Nerston would have been a big benefit, especially as this area is getting a massive development with lots of new housing
 

GLC

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Wasn’t sure if this justified a whole new topic (if so feel free to move), but I was wondering: With all the new housing being built on the southeast of Barrhead, could there be a case to finally build Lyoncross railway station? This would provide a railway station closer to a large part of Barrhead, and it wouldn’t be that detrimental to the Neilston line timings, since it would only introduce one stop before the terminus on an otherwise long interrupted stretch of track. Also since the track is already split there, it would presumably involve less Earth works to build. This is just idle curiosity on my part, I haven’t done any BCR analysis!
 

adrock1976

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What's it called? It's called Cumbernauld
Wasn’t sure if this justified a whole new topic (if so feel free to move), but I was wondering: With all the new housing being built on the southeast of Barrhead, could there be a case to finally build Lyoncross railway station? This would provide a railway station closer to a large part of Barrhead, and it wouldn’t be that detrimental to the Neilston line timings, since it would only introduce one stop before the terminus on an otherwise long interrupted stretch of track. Also since the track is already split there, it would presumably involve less Earth works to build. This is just idle curiosity on my part, I haven’t done any BCR analysis!

Do you have a closer or precise location regarding the residential development, or names of roads close to it?

The closest I have found from doing a quick online search is that there is a Lyoncross Road in Pollok (Pollok being famous for where the former Labour Militant Tendency, Scottish Turn, and one time leader of the Scottish Socialist Party Tommy Sheridan is from), which is quite a trek away from Barrhead and Neilston.
 

adrock1976

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What's it called? It's called Cumbernauld
Many thanks for the above image.

Having cross checked Aurs Road on Google Maps, it is not that far from the Auchenback area of Barrhead.

Going by the above image, is it intended for the station to be sited where the tracks splay east of Aurs Road? It seems that an island platform can be squeezed in with access from the road.
 

edwin_m

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Many thanks for the above image.

Having cross checked Aurs Road on Google Maps, it is not that far from the Auchenback area of Barrhead.

Going by the above image, is it intended for the station to be sited where the tracks splay east of Aurs Road? It seems that an island platform can be squeezed in with access from the road.
The tracks are back to standard spacing (or nearly) at the road, so you won't get access to an island from there. The curved track is proably also too curved for a new platform.
 

68000

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Going by the above image, is it intended for the station to be sited where the tracks splay east of Aurs Road? It seems that an island platform can be squeezed in with access from the road.

Looks like it and plenty of land for a Park & Ride car park
 

AMD

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Lyoncross was the junction with the Paisley & Barrhead District Railway, opened in 1897 but hardly used and fully closed in 1960. Lyoncross was a planned station, hence the track layout, but as the passenger traffic never materialised it was never built.
Meanwhile Barrhead has grown and East Renfrewshire Council already have plans in the area - www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/article/8438/4-New-Railway-Station
 
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