Decarbonising Scotland’s Railways

[A330Alex]

The feeder stations are directly referenced in today's Programme for Government with a revised completion date of 2027. Notably, there are no commitments around electrification itself.

● Upgrade and reconfigure rail power supplies to support existing and future electrification of our railway – with a further four ‘feeder stations’ to enter service by 2027.

 

[snowball]

The feeder stations are directly referenced in today's Programme for Government with a revised completion date of 2027. Notably, there are no commitments around electrification itself.

Thanks for that. Either Thornton or Tweedbank or both had already slipped to 2027 so that's not especially bad news.

Since they only refer to four new ones, I assume they're counting Currie as already completed?

 

[SC318250]

with not a lot of spare emu available for East Kilbride line I wonder if the following might be an option.
The Class 320 Retanus units are too long for multiple working on Scotrail services, however an option might be for Scotrail to take on 7-8 units for 6 diagrams.
These diagrams would be Class 318 diagrams 002/006 (although Larkhall last turn would need switched to another diagrams which should be easy enough), 007 and 016. Class 3240/4 diagram 050 and Class 334 diagram 094
These diagrams all run as 3 cars all day and start and finish at Yoker CS apart from 006 which mentionwd above.
This means with a rejig of Class 380 diagrams, that 6 x 3 car could be released for East Kilbride services which would mean more 318/320 services on Inverclyde and Cathcart etc. rather than using a mix of emu and dmu

 

[gingertom]

with not a lot of spare emu available for East Kilbride line I wonder if the following might be an option.
The Class 320 Retanus units are too long for multiple working on Scotrail services, however an option might be for Scotrail to take on 7-8 units for 6 diagrams.
These diagrams would be Class 318 diagrams 002/006 (although Larkhall last turn would need switched to another diagrams which should be easy enough), 007 and 016. Class 3240/4 diagram 050 and Class 334 diagram 094
These diagrams all run as 3 cars all day and start and finish at Yoker CS apart from 006 which mentioned above.
This means with a rejig of Class 380 diagrams, that 6 x 3 car could be released for East Kilbride services which would mean more 318/320 services on Inverclyde and Cathcart etc. rather than using a mix of emu and dmu

maybe some of the stored 350s could be taken on, with a bit of rejigging some diagrams? There's certainly maintenance cover for Siemens units available up here with the 380s.

 

[snowball]

I created a separate thread some time ago about whether there are enough EMUs to cover the EK line:

Does Scotrail have enough spare electric units to run the EK line?

What the thread title says. The electric service to East Kilbride is supposed to start in December 2025. The electrification is on schedule as far I can see. No new trains have been ordered in recent years. If some were ordered tomorrow (not likely as far as I know) they wouldn't be...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Snow1964]

A FOI answer on electrification towards Aberdeen has been published by the Scottish Government

For point 1 of your request,

No completion date has been set for the electrification of the Railway from Dunblane to Aberdeen.

For point 2 of your request,

Plans for the decarbonisation of the routes from Aberdeen to the Central belt are currently in design development. The location of worksites will be determined by Network Rail.

Rail electrification of the Aberdeen to Central Belt Line: FOI release

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

www.gov.scot

 

[Morayshire]

At least one of the local councillors in Broughty Ferry has been wondering what is going on as well going by this article on the Dundee Courier's website.

Note - it may or may not be behind a paywall - you get a maximum of three free articles.

Fears for Broughty Ferry Fort Street Bridge

Article text is below

There are renewed fears the electrification of the east coast railway line could lead to the demolition of Broughty Ferry's Fort Street bridge.

Network Rail are currently developing plans to allow engineers to install overhead electric powerlines.

The proposals have been in the works for a number of years and in 2022 it emerged scores of bridges along the Aberdeen to the central belt line could be demolished.

This included the bridge that crosses over to the Ferry at Fort Street.

Now, councillor Craig Duncan; who represents the Broughty Ferry ward; has written to Network Rail seeking an update on the plans.

Responding to the Liberal Democrats query, a representative for the rail body confirmed the Fort Street bridge could still be removed.

This, they said, was due to the structure not having sufficient clearance for the installation of overhead electrification equipment.

Should full electrification go ahead, the bridge would need to be demolished.

Network Rail say no definitive decision has been made and, if approved, demolition would not occur soon.

However, Mr Duncan called for the possible removal of the bridge to be resisted at all costs.

This is one of the key accesses into Broughty Ferry and the loss of it would be hugely disruptive.

We have a vibrant shopping area in Broughty Ferry and this bridge is a main access into it. It would be economic madness to remove this bridge.

Of course everyone realises that as we move to a world not dependent on fossil fuels, the days of diesel trains are numbered.

But Network Rail absolutely must look at alternatives to removing key road and foot bridges over the east coast.

Transport Scotland and Network Rail must understand that the Broughty Ferry community would strongly resist the loss of the Fort Street road bridge

 

[Meerkat]

At least one of the local councillors in Broughty Ferry has been wondering what is going on as well going by this article on the Dundee Courier's website.

Note - it may or may not be behind a paywall - you get a maximum of three free articles.

Fears for Broughty Ferry Fort Street Bridge

Article text is below

Is this a mad councillor assuming that demolishing the bridge isn’t a prelude to replacing it?

 

[chuff chuff]

When first reported several or more months ago it was stated that particular bridge may not be replaced as there is not a lot of room either side,and the angle of attack was also already steep which would be made worse by replacing with a higher bridge.

 

[Morayshire]

Is this a mad councillor assuming that demolishing the bridge isn’t a prelude to replacing it?

Would need to dig out the original proposals from way back in 2022 to be sure but I think the plan was to demolish and not replace the bridge. They could have changed their minds in the meantime though.

 

[MadMac]

When first reported several or more months ago it was stated that particular bridge may not be replaced as there is not a lot of room either side, and the angle of attack was also already steep which would be made worse by replacing with a higher bridge.

Something sticks in my mind along those lines.

 

[mcmad]

Given there are multiple alternative routes either side of the Fort St bridge then I'm struggling to see the issue with this particular bridge not being replaced, particularly if the other bridges need work too.

 

[Meerkat]

Would need to dig out the original proposals from way back in 2022 to be sure but I think the plan was to demolish and not replace the bridge. They could have changed their minds in the meantime though.

I appear to owe the not mad councillor an apology!
The bridge in question is in line between the town centre and a road toward the north.
The next bridge to the west is narrow with a 3t limit, to the east is a platform end level crossing and then a narrow bridge with a 9ft height limit.
It would seem pretty inconvenient to not replace it post demolition.

 

[chuff chuff]

I appear to owe the not mad councillor an apology!
The bridge in question is in line between the town centre and a road toward the north.
The next bridge to the west is narrow with a 3t limit, to the east is a platform end level crossing and then a narrow bridge with a 9ft height limit.
It would seem pretty inconvenient to not replace it post demolition.

Go a little further west and there are two more bridges over the line with no weight limit I can see.

 

[takno]

Given there are multiple alternative routes either side of the Fort St bridge then I'm struggling to see the issue with this particular bridge not being replaced, particularly if the other bridges need work too.

Councillors thrive on impotent outrage

 

[najaB]

Go a little further west and there are two more bridges over the line with no weight limit I can see.

Yeah, there are a bunch of bridges, Fort Street is just the most convenient for the *current* traffic setup in Broughty Ferry. I could see changes being made to the traffic flow if it's closed and not replaced.

 

[chuff chuff]

Yeah, there are a bunch of bridges, Fort Street is just the most convenient for the *current* traffic setup in Broughty Ferry. I could see changes being made to the traffic flow if it's closed and not replaced.

Strangely it's one I rarely use.

 

[59CosG95]

Magdalena R. on LinkedIn: Craigo Road Overbridge (OB 133/269) - Week 41 Disruptive Possession The…

Craigo Road Overbridge (OB 133/269) - Week 41 Disruptive Possession The new year has kicked off with a busy and highly successful start! Our team has been…

www.linkedin.com

Craigo Rd Overbridge (OB 133/269), between Montrose & Laurencekirk, has been rebuilt as it:

1. was deteriorating due to its age; and
2. had insufficient clearance for OLE, presumably even with surge diverters.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

As part of the route clearance programme for the Aberdeen to Central Belt electrification
scheme, a feasibility assessment determined that the bridge's existing clearance was insufficient for the installation of overhead lines.

The old bridge has now been demolished and replaced with a modern concrete portal structure.

This was the extract that peaked my interest.