Citybreak1
Member
Is there any plans to use this line again? I notice since the pandemic no Glasgow to Markinch trains have run. Is the line now disused? I assume the station in Winchbrough won’t happen either?
5N91 I assume only exists to maintain route retention over the Dalmeny chord, there’s the 5L70 Cardenden - Cadder HST ECS too but this seems to be more for operational convenience to save having to reverse at HaymarketNot a lot of crews sign that now as its too difficult to maintain the knowledge with no booked passenger services using the route unless the token one train a day still runs in the morning and evening peak.
5N91 I assume only exists to maintain route retention over the Dalmeny chord, there’s the 5L70 Cardenden - Cadder HST ECS too but this seems to be more for operational convenience to save having to reverse at Haymarket
When the line between Dalmeny and South Gyle is blocked for whatever reason I’m guessing it’s just pot luck whether any services caught up in disruption as a result have crews that sign the chord, hence why only 2 services were diverted yesterday - everything else was either cancelled or waited for the line to reopen, unless securing a path along the E&G is an issue
Regarding Winchburgh,
In my job, I deliver regularly to all of the house building site’s in Winchburgh, as my work supplies building materials.
The expansion of Winchburgh is massive, & I mean massive. It’s also well underway now.
There are plans to make a slip road off the M9 to Winchburgh, So I would not be surprised at all if Winchburgh does indeed get a new station.
Theres almost certainly more drivers than guards that sign it now as its just too difficult to retain the knowledge for guards. Years ago there used to be a booked Edinburgh job, empties to Carmuirs West then change ends, through the road and this went via the chord both directions and that had both a driver and guard and solely existed to retain knowledge and to get a set out the station during the day. Even the HST empties move will be a top link driver as only links 1 and possibly 2 sign HSTs
Putting a new station in there is a massive job. Would involve excavating a large portion of the cutting, draining the old quarry too. They could in theory built a 4 platform station similar to Kilwinning but that would cost millions.
New commuter town for Edinburgh may never get train station despite promises
Many were sold a lifestyle with the development of Winchburgh but the developers are backing away from promised rail links to Edinburgh and Glasgow saying the cost of providing a station has soared.