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East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

MadMac

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That’s been my understanding too but I wonder if this is more recent de-scoping of the project, time will tell.
There were a couple of Geo-Info vans parked between Giffnock and Clarkston today. The occupants were working on the embankment, presumably surveying.
The signalling plan I’ve seen is for full doubling. I would surmise, based on experience, that given that several bridges beyond Busby need to be rebuilt anyway, putting in double track is probably a relatively minor “extra”.
 
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snowball

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My guess is that the page found by Southsider is older than other info we've seen mentioning full doubling.
 

gingertom

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My guess is that the page found by Southsider is older than other info we've seen mentioning full doubling.
I hope that is the case. To leave a short section of single track would be spoiling the ship for the hap'worth of tar. The amount of money saved would create significant operational difficulties.
 

hexagon789

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That’s been my understanding too but I wonder if this is more recent de-scoping of the project, time will tell.
There were a couple of Geo-Info vans parked between Giffnock and Clarkston today. The occupants were working on the embankment, presumably surveying.
May well be, after all they descoped the dynamic loops on the Borders Railway, they may well do similar here and cause issues with reliability with an enhanced frequency

The signalling plan I’ve seen is for full doubling. I would surmise, based on experience, that given that several bridges beyond Busby need to be rebuilt anyway, putting in double track is probably a relatively minor “extra”.
That's definitely a positive if it's correct, if they do increase the frequency it's difficult to see how it could be accommodated comfortably without full doubling.
 

snowball

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I'm slightly surprised to hear that bridges need rebuilding anyway, because from the video in #198 the original bridges seem to be arched, suggesting that if the track was going to remain single, the headroom might be obtainable by slewing it to the middle.
 

MadMac

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May well be, after all they descoped the dynamic loops on the Borders Railway, they may well do similar here and cause issues with reliability with an enhanced frequency


That's definitely a positive if it's correct, if they do increase the frequency it's difficult to see how it could be accommodated comfortably without full doubling.
Trawling the memory banks here, but when the Hairmyres loop went in, one of the driving factors was achieving a half-hourly “clockface” service, which simply couldn’t work without it. I think it ran on a 40 minute frequency prior to then.
 

Dr Hoo

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Trawling the memory banks here, but when the Hairmyres loop went in, one of the driving factors was achieving a half-hourly “clockface” service, which simply couldn’t work without it. I think it ran on a 40 minute frequency prior to then.
The 40-minute frequency was more about reducing the number of unit diagrams in the dark days after bus deregulation and the guards' strikes over DOO in the mid-1980s.

The main driver for the Hairmyres Loop was actually to resolve the bizarre morning peak arrangements that saw no fewer than five units at East Kilbride, all departing in succession with no contra-peak service. It paid for itself by 'saving' the cost of at least one Class 156 and enabling extra revenue-earning journeys out of the rest of the small Strathclyde pool.
 

hexagon789

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Trawling the memory banks here, but when the Hairmyres loop went in, one of the driving factors was achieving a half-hourly “clockface” service, which simply couldn’t work without it. I think it ran on a 40 minute frequency prior to then.
I thought the loop was to allow a 20 min frequency in the peaks?
 

MadMac

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The 40-minute frequency was more about reducing the number of unit diagrams in the dark days after bus deregulation and the guards' strikes over DOO in the mid-1980s.

The main driver for the Hairmyres Loop was actually to resolve the bizarre morning peak arrangements that saw no fewer than five units at East Kilbride, all departing in succession with no contra-peak service. It paid for itself by 'saving' the cost of at least one Class 156 and enabling extra revenue-earning journeys out of the rest of the small Strathclyde pool.
Right! They actually shoved empties in the loop, that was believed to be the most-used ground frame in Scotland.
 

92002

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Used the line today. Vegetation works looks almost complete. You do notice now the watercourses that flow near the line now, especially Thornliebank. No sign of piling near Crossmyloof, early days though.

I thought it had been de scoped too.
Network Rail have recently let a contract to install OHL and signal bases. In an attempt to keep OHL teams busy during the lack of funding with the pandemic taking most priority. No doubt any installed bases will have the costs transferred to the main project.

The Parliament has not approved the project yet for construction. However when they come back after the election will no doubt be looking at their new priorities and the budget for the new financial year.

The most important part of the project is from Pollokshields to Busby Junction which is currently being debated with the local community. However whatever they decide about Strathbungo Station the footbridge will not meet electrification standards, so will not be there for much longer.

Much planning of the project has already been completed, it just needs the approval of funding.
 

route101

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Hope its full doubling, I thought there would be an increase in frequency but I think its something for the future. I thought the project was approved and had started.
 

Southsider

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That footbridge is in a weird location anyway- it's less than 100m from Nithsdale Road bridge anyway and it's not step free. I think it would be better if they could move the bridge up to the old bridge location which was about 150m north of the path from Pollokshields West station. It would then be equidistant between Titwood Road bridge at Crossmyloof and Nithsdale Road.

I do feel the closure option has some appeal given alternatives over years of long weekend and evening closures- especially as the EK line seems as busy on Saturdays as it does at peaks- the 1747 on Saturdays is rammed (obviously not at present!). Would be nice to see them explore some different options given the options available.
Makes me wonder if the bridge formed an entrance/exit to the station when the platforms were still in place.

Edit: Historic environment Scotland’s website answers my question. The stairs to the platform were removed when the station closed.

 
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Carntyne

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Hope its full doubling, I thought there would be an increase in frequency but I think its something for the future. I thought the project was approved and had started.
Redoubling is the plan according to Network Rail and the government.
 

66C

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I understand the existing signalling is staying at Barrhead but control transferred to WSSC. Barrhead signal box will be demolished to allow for electrical clearances. The trap on the bay platform may be removed once the platform line is levelled
 

MadMac

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I understand the existing signalling is staying at Barrhead but control transferred to WSSC. Barrhead signal box will be demolished to allow for electrical clearances. The trap on the bay platform may be removed once the platform line is levelled
Existing signalling at Barrhead, while colour light, is worked from a lever frame, so there will be some degree of “resignalling”. The interlocking which currently works the East Kilbride branch is called “BARRHEAD”, presumably with this in mind.
 
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Makes me wonder if the bridge formed an entrance/exit to the station when the platforms were still in place.

Edit: Historic environment Scotland’s website answers my question. The stairs to the platform were removed when the station closed.

The Historic Environment Scotland website has also their assessment of the former Strathbungo Station Booking Office and their decision not to list the building.

http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/decision/500003053

A station was proposed for this location in 1875 (as part of Caledonian Railway’s Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway) in response to the rapid suburban development of this area of south Glasgow. Strathbungo Station opened in December 1877 with a service of 21 trains daily (Renfrewshire Independent, 1877).
The station is shown on John Bartholomew’s Plan of Glasgow (1882) and in more detail on the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey Glasgow Town Plan (revised, 1896).
The station closed to passengers in 1962, after which the platform buildings and platform access were dismantled. The former booking office (on the bridge over the railway line) was retained and was used as a local convenience store between 1967 and 2017. The building is currently unoccupied (2020).

The station is adjacent to Alexander "Greek" Thomson's Moray Terrace. There are conservation areas on either side of the railway in this location.

Readers might like to see a view of the building on the Nithsdale Road bridge:
IMG_0219.jpg

FJ
 

Southsider

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The Historic Environment Scotland website has also their assessment of the former Strathbungo Station Booking Office and their decision not to list the building.

http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/decision/500003053



The station is adjacent to Alexander "Greek" Thomson's Moray Terrace. There are conservation areas on either side of the railway in this location.

Readers might like to see a view of the building on the Nithsdale Road bridge:
View attachment 93715

FJ
The station building always struck me as being a bit of a run down shack, even when it was open as ‘Suzies Stores’ for many years. The bridge doesn’t look anything special either, being similar to others along the route. The lattice on the one at Giffnock is crumbling in many places and I suspect others are the same.
 
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The station building always struck me as being a bit of a run down shack, even when it was open as ‘Suzies Stores’ for many years. The bridge doesn’t look anything special either, being similar to others along the route. The lattice on the one at Giffnock is crumbling in many places and I suspect others are the same.
The Strathbungo Society praised Network Rail for their renovation of the lattice pedestrian bridge. see: https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/bridge-refurbishment-re-connects-conservation-areas

Network Rail has completed the refurbishment of the former Strathbungo station footbridge connecting Moray Place and Darnley Road on Glasgow’s southside.

The Grade C listed structure, constructed in 1877 at the same time as the now-closed Strathbungo Station, was refurbished and repainted in a style befitting the area’s conservation status in an investment worth £650,000.
The work was needed due to the age and condition of the structure in order to protect the safety of those using the bridge and the trains operating below.

I think it looks in good condition:

Strathbungo Pedestrian Bridge 1.5Mb.jpg

Strathbungo Pedestrian Bridge makers plate 1.3Mb.jpg

I hope that Network Rail will donate the bridge to a preserved railway somewhere where it can be used.

FJ
 
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Do we know whether or not Network Rail plan to replace the 144 year old Nithsdale Road bridge? (GBK/013)

For years it has been supported on one side by props but there is no road traffic weight restriction.

Nithsdale Road Bridge with props No1 460kb.jpg

Old Strathbungo Station booking office rear.jpg

Nithsdale Bridge looking north towards Glasgow 963kb.jpg

There are road junctions immediately adjacent to the bridge on both sides and that would limit scope to raise the height of the deck.

BTW, There is a separate adjacent bridge for the Cathcart circle route to Pollokshields West (bridge CTC/035) which is built of concrete. I assume that it was built in the early 1960's for the Cathcart circle electrification.

FJ
 

Southsider

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Network Rail have recently let a contract to install OHL and signal bases. In an attempt to keep OHL teams busy during the lack of funding with the pandemic taking most priority. No doubt any installed bases will have the costs transferred to the main project.

The Parliament has not approved the project yet for construction. However when they come back after the election will no doubt be looking at their new priorities and the budget for the new financial year.

The most important part of the project is from Pollokshields to Busby Junction which is currently being debated with the local community. However whatever they decide about Strathbungo Station the footbridge will not meet electrification standards, so will not be there for much longer.

Much planning of the project has already been completed, it just needs the approval of funding.

Network Rail sent a neighbour notification letter dated 7th April 2021:

Project Railway Work - Kennishead to Crossmyloof. We will shortly begin piling work near your property which is a method used to install steel foundations into the ground for trackside masts and wires needed to electrify the line. Work will take place each night for 12 weeks from 17th April 2021, between 12:30hrs and 06:30hrs (no work on Friday nights), though not continuously at any one location.

This statement appears also on the project website Project Overview: Project Updates: East Kilbride Enhancements

FJ
 

route101

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Not seen any evidence of the piling yet, will look closer next time I pass.
 

InOban

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There was a more recent tweet delaying the work by, I think, a couple of weeks.
 

VauxhallandI

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Just found this thread and notice there are a few Clarkstonians on here. Just wanted to say hello; I spent the first three years of my life there and still call it home.

To bring trains into it my Auntie worked for Scotrail and lives there so I’m sure she wouldn’t have allowed them to close it as part of the changes proposed back in the day
 

hexagon789

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Not seen any evidence of the piling yet, will look closer next time I pass.
A friend and I live close to different portions of the Glasgow-Barrhead/EK routes and neither of us have witnessed or heard any evidence of piling yet.
 

Southsider

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Just found this thread and notice there are a few Clarkstonians on here. Just wanted to say hello; I spent the first three years of my life there and still call it home.

To bring trains into it my Auntie worked for Scotrail and lives there so I’m sure she wouldn’t have allowed them to close it as part of the changes proposed back in the day
If you’re thinking of the same changes as me, Clarkston would have been retained as the next stop after Muirend with Thornliebank and Giffnock being closed.
 

clc

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