East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[Frankton Junct]

I seen the piles while passing on the train the other day. Is it just this section from Crossmyloof to Kennishead at first?

Yes, the neighbour notification letter Network Rail sent on the 7th April stated that the work is from Kennishead to Crossmyloof.

It appears that they are driving the easiest piles first - those located where the cess is level and clear of obstructions. There are pegs at some locations where minor excavations into the sides of the cutting would be needed to create a level surface.

 

[och aye]

Does anyone know when the electrification is slated to be completed by? The ScotRail Alliance webpage doesn't have any guidance on that (yet):

East Kilbride Enhancements

East Kilbride Enhancements

scotlandsrailway.com

 

[92002]

Does anyone know when the electrification is slated to be completed by? The ScotRail Alliance webpage doesn't have any guidance on that (yet):

East Kilbride Enhancements

East Kilbride Enhancements

scotlandsrailway.com

Considering that the Project has not been funded or approved yet. That's hardly a surprise. The piling work being currently done is in advance of project approval. It is merely a way of keeping electrification staff employed for now till approval is given.

 

[och aye]

Considering that the Project has not been funded or approved yet. That's hardly a surprise. The piling work being currently done is in advance of project approval. It is merely a way of keeping electrification staff employed for now till approval is given.

Given that NR had started work on the piling, I was under the impression that the project had been approved. I guess that would more or less a formality now.

 

[92002]

Given that NR had started work on the piling, I was under the impression that the project had been approved. I guess that would more or less a formality now.

Network Rail have only let a piling contract to keep staff busy.

It's a long way from there to fund the Project, appoint contractors and set up a project base for construction.

 

[snowball]

Who is a decision needed from? Scottish Transport Minister?

 

[clc]

The TS website states it’s in delivery so it must be approved: Prioritisation of rail projects

Prioritisation of rail projects​ We continue to make record investment in maintaining and improving our rail network.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Just a general point - at many points in the past, politicians broadcast electrification projects from the rooftops. These-days they seem to be kept quiet. Trying to keep HM Treasury noses out I guess.

 

[Bald Rick]

Just a general point - at may points in the past, politicians broadcast electrification projects from the rooftops. These-days they seem to be kept quiet. Trying to keep HM Treasury noses out I guess.

HM Treasury have no jurisdiction over this one.

But to answer the earlier question, I don’t believe this has had the formal go ahead.

 

[yorkie]

In order to enable this thread to continue to be dedicated to actual progress updates, I have split some posts into a new thread for speculation:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/east-kilbride-barrhead-electrification-speculation.218323/

This will also avoid confusion, so it is clear what is actually happening vs what people are hoping or speculating may happen.

Thanks

 

[Albaman]

Travelling towards East Kilbride this afternoon, I noticed that masts have now been installed south of Busby Junction and heading towards Kennishead. Unfortunately, I am unable to say over what distance they have been installed but, perhaps, someone can provide more detailed information.

 

[InOban]

Network Rail Scotland just tweeted this pic.

 

[ABB125]

Network Rail Scotland just tweeted this pic.

Those beams look quite substantial - is that meant to be the new* "lightweight" OHLE?

*"New" as in "not GWML"

 

[mcmad]

The masts look to be a similar section to that installed in all the other Scottish electrification projects recently and much the same as the older single track masts on West and East coast.

 

[GLC]

Given that they’re able to crack on with this without getting formal approval sorted yet, I guess this bodes well for the rest of the rolling electrification planned for Scotland?

 

[59CosG95]

There's another post related to this on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aili...andsrailway-activity-6810248725231882240-t9fs

 

[snowball]

Is that perhaps in the angle of Busby Junction?

 

[59CosG95]

Those beams look quite substantial - is that meant to be the new* "lightweight" OHLE?

*"New" as in "not GWML"

Yes, it's Series 2. Or UKMS 100 (with Series 2 equipment). The UC masts in the pictures have stayed the same since bolted base masts were introduced in Mk3b.

 

[route101]

Given that they’re able to crack on with this without getting formal approval sorted yet, I guess this bodes well for the rest of the rolling electrification planned for Scotland?

I wonder if this section is a test bed?

 

[Frankton Junct]

Given that they’re able to crack on with this without getting formal approval sorted yet, I guess this bodes well for the rest of the rolling electrification planned for Scotland?

Glasgow Council has granted Listed Building Consent subject to conditions for the works at the Pollokshaws West Railway Station:

"
This consent is Granted subject to the following condition(s) and reason(s):

01. All external materials including surface tratments shall match existing as far as is practicable.
Reason: To safeguard the character of the listed building and surrounding conservation area.

02. All new fittings on the platform, not inlcluding the overhead apparatus and associate
steelwork, shall match existing as far as is practicable.
Reason: To safeguard the character of the listed building and surrounding conservation area".

APPLICATION 21/01142/LBA

==========================================================

Glasgow Council has granted Listed Building Consent for the Installation of 4 support brackets to the Railway Viaduct Over the River Cart On Pollokshaws Road.

APPLICATION 21/00698/LBA

Full details may be viewed using the Glasgow Council online planning portal:

Simple Search

 

[ainsworth74]

So, to be clear, Network Rail are sticking up masts and piling before Transport Scotland have actually said "yes, please go and electrify this, this is our decision"

 

[ABB125]

So, to be clear, Network Rail are sticking up masts and piling before Transport Scotland have actually said "yes, please go and electrify this, this is our decision"

If nothing else, it's nice to see some enthusiasm!

 

[92002]

So, to be clear, Network Rail are sticking up masts and piling before Transport Scotland have actually said "yes, please go and electrify this, this is our decision"

Seems to be. Network Rail let a contract for piling in February for foundations. The masts are probably stock ones left over from the last electrification scheme.

 

[Bald Rick]

So, to be clear, Network Rail are sticking up masts and piling before Transport Scotland have actually said "yes, please go and electrify this, this is our decision"

It’s more subtle than that. See what has happened at Church Fenton...

 

[route101]

Seems to be. Network Rail let a contract for piling in February for foundations. The masts are probably stock ones left over from the last electrification scheme.

Yes, surprised to see the masts so soon. I reckon it will be a while for any foundations to appear on the East Kilbride branch.

 

[Brissle Girl]

Well NR is certainly not hiding it. Network Rail Scotland on Twitter: "@RonMcLean6 This is the East Kilbride line, Ron. However, the Barrhead line is also being electrified." / Twitter

 

[route101]

Well NR is certainly not hiding it. Network Rail Scotland on Twitter: "@RonMcLean6 This is the East Kilbride line, Ron. However, the Barrhead line is also being electrified." / Twitter

I'm sure that's not on the East Kilbride branch though!

 

[snookertam]

So, to be clear, Network Rail are sticking up masts and piling before Transport Scotland have actually said "yes, please go and electrify this, this is our decision"

It's a strange one on the face of it, as whilst they don't appear to have the formal go ahead for the project, I can't imagine Transport Scotland would tolerate any disruption to the service if they weren't approving of the reason why the works were taking place.

Equally, given that Scottish Govt have a wider decarbonisation strategy - much like the wider UK - it's probably not too far fetched to suggest that electrification would eventually be on the cards anyway. If they're taking a punt, it's not a very uncertain one. I still think there must be some informal go ahead granted by Transport Scotland in this case though.

 

[InOban]

I think that they have the staff and equipment and it doesn't cost much to keep them occupied. If there's an emergency elsewhere they can redeploy them at short notice. They're doing the easy and cheap bits. The big money will be the redoubling of EK and relocation of Hairmyres.

 

[nlogax]

Looking forward to checkout out the progress next week along the line. I assume little if anything has yet happened between Busby Jct and Barrhead.