East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[380101]

Please excuse my ignorance - what is the benefit of wiring Larkfield Curve?

There's booked ECS (empty coaching stock) moves over it to go to East Kilbride in the mornings, and as above, it is also a good diversionary route.

 

[waverley47]

There's booked ECS (empty coaching stock) moves over it to go to East Kilbride in the mornings, and as above, it is also a good diversionary route.

The long term goal is to have the whole lot done, so it makes sense to do this but while the contractors are in the area.

Additionally, it will provide a powered link from the GSW to the WCML, in the event in the future of any electrified freight or odd workings.

 

[OB23Gone]

It's useful as a diversionary route. I've gone over it once before on a service to EK. Got out as far as Polmadie before reversing and going over the curve because the main route was closed for engineering works.

The older members amongst us may remember that "The Curve" once had it's own Named Express Train travel over it. The Thames Clyde Express which started from the old St Enoch Station - St Pancras via Glasgow South Western Line-carlisle-settle-Leeds-Sheffield-Nottingham-Derby-Leicester-London
The travel time was just 10mins short of 9 hours
Nowadays there are no scheduled service trains used over it
It's used on Corkerhill TMD ECS Movements to and from EK almost every day.
There's a Mossend Down yard to Carlisle NY trains during some nights. Brodie's in Kilmarnock for unit refurbishments to & from the likes of Inverness and Haymarket Depots including HSTs.The leaf buster train (RHTT) during leaf fall season
Various Engineering Trains & some Rail Tours

 

[Scotrail88]

How is the bridge works at Nithsdale Road coming along?
Not been in the area recently but must be nearing completion - hopefully

 

[snowball]

How is the bridge works at Nithsdale Road coming along?
Not been in the area recently but must be nearing completion - hopefully

Someone who lives near may correct me, but my impression is that to date it seems to have stuck very close to the timetable in #590.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I did the Thames Clyde Express in 1972

 

[Falcon1200]

The older members amongst us may remember that "The Curve" once had it's own Named Express Train travel over it. The Thames Clyde Express which started from the old St Enoch Station - St Pancras via Glasgow South Western Line-carlisle-settle-Leeds-Sheffield-Nottingham-Derby-Leicester-London

Sorry to be pedantic, but that train surely did not use the Larkfield curve, just the City Union line?

 

[sannox]

How is the bridge works at Nithsdale Road coming along?
Not been in the area recently but must be nearing completion - hopefully

Seems to be on schedule as someone has said. The deck and parapets are installed with utility works ongoing.

 

[Southsider]

The older members amongst us may remember that "The Curve" once had it's own Named Express Train travel over it. The Thames Clyde Express which started from the old St Enoch Station - St Pancras via Glasgow South Western Line-carlisle-settle-Leeds-Sheffield-Nottingham-Derby-Leicester-London
The travel time was just 10mins short of 9 hours
Nowadays there are no scheduled service trains used over it
It's used on Corkerhill TMD ECS Movements to and from EK almost every day.
There's a Mossend Down yard to Carlisle NY trains during some nights. Brodie's in Kilmarnock for unit refurbishments to & from the likes of Inverness and Haymarket Depots including HSTs.The leaf buster train (RHTT) during leaf fall season
Various Engineering Trains & some Rail Tours

Can’t you get from the EK and Barrhead line to Corkerhill from Muirhouse junction?

 

[d9009alycidon]

Sorry to be pedantic, but that train surely did not use the Larkfield curve, just the City Union line?

Both partially correct, the Thames Clyde used the now lifted link from Gorbals Junction to Langside Junction, then over the bit to be electrified to Strathbungo Junction. There was a proposal to reinstate this link and when the new bus depot was built land was reserved for that purpose.

 

[OB23Gone]

Can’t you get from the EK and Barrhead line to Corkerhill from Muirhouse junction?

Yes you can through Muirhouse Central Jn. and take the Terminus Curve and join with Clydesdale line

 

[Falcon1200]

Both partially correct, the Thames Clyde used the now lifted link from Gorbals Junction to Langside Junction, then over the bit to be electrified to Strathbungo Junction.

Of course, thanks for the correction/clarification.

 

[Rick1984]

One thing I've not seen mentioned is this the new run off track at Barhead leading onto single track section. Is it just a case of being brought up to modern standards or something else?

 

[Southsider]

From the Glasgow Evening Times :

“Nithsdale Road in Pollokshields will be closed from 12.01am on Saturday, November 26 until 23.59pm on Friday, December 16.

The road, which lies between Kenmure Street and Darnley Road, is being affected by ongoing Network Rail bridge works above the road.

Delays are to be expected at peak periods and drivers are advised to use alternative routes where possible.”

Is this actually news?

 

[Frankton Junct]

From the Glasgow Evening Times :

“Nithsdale Road in Pollokshields will be closed from 12.01am on Saturday, November 26 until 23.59pm on Friday, December 16.

The road, which lies between Kenmure Street and Darnley Road, is being affected by ongoing Network Rail bridge works above the road.

Delays are to be expected at peak periods and drivers are advised to use alternative routes where possible.”

Is this actually news?

Work is underway to divert the utility services back over the new Nithsdale Road bridge. The electrification contractor has done a lot of work around Muirhouse South Junction and the new bridge.
I haven't seen evidence of electrification of the Larkfield curve beyond a junction run-off.

 

[OB23Gone]

Work is underway to divert the utility services back over the new Nithsdale Road bridge. The electrification contractor has done a lot of work around Muirhouse South Junction and the new bridge.
I haven't seen evidence of electrification of the Larkfield curve beyond a junction run-off.

View attachment 124548View attachment 124549

Would Like to add additional progress pics to yours

 

[Southsider]

Are the parapets going to be clad to cover the concrete?

 

[Frankton Junct]

Are the parapets going to be clad to cover the concrete?

Yes, I understand that there will be stone cladding on the road side of the parapets. This was done when the Springkell Avenue bridge (adjacent to Maxwell Park Station on the Cathcart Circle) was rebuilt 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[clc]

Transport Scotland has just published an update on capital projects and confirms the latest cost estimate for the EK Enhancements project is £111-£124 million:

Progress at March 2022: The total project cost is now estimated at £111 million to £124 million which is an increase from that at OBC and as previously reported. This is due to the scope being changed and Network Rail providing an updated estimate which includes the additional scope. The construction start date is now later than previously reported which is subject to review due to the additional scope. The operational date however the remains as that at OBC as previously reported.
Progress at September 2022: No change to cost or timing since the last report.

Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: Major capital projects progress update (September 2022)

Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: Major capital projects progress update (September 2022)​ This progress update relates to projects with a capital value of £5 million or more which are at the Outline Business Case (or equivalent) approved stage or beyond and mainly comprises projects included at Annex D of our Infrastructure Investment Pla

 

[OB23Gone]

The Strathbungo Road Bridge Reopening's.
PEDESTRIANS :- There is a possibility that this may open to pedestrians before or just after Christmas. WEATHER PERMITTING The public will use the roadway section of the bridge to allow the stone cladding work and any other finishing of works to be completed.
ROAD TRAFFIC :- Looking most likely mid-January.
Obviously, the works are at an advanced stage now so at times there seems to be a lack of progress. The vast number of services running across the bridge are almost all reconnected. There appears to be a slight Glitch with Delivery of the stone cladding to be applied to the internal faces of the parapets.
Have enclosed some pics from Monday 12th Dec. Once the bridge is open to Pedestrians this will allow the Moray Place footbridge to be deemed OUT OF USE. Work will then commence on The Footbridge of the removal of the Ramps, protective side claddings, scaffolding etc.. This will allow preparation works to start to ready the FB to be transported to its next destination. Looking on Realtime Trains there is a weekend closure of the line on Sat 14th & Sun 15th of January. There is no other Weekend Closure planned certainly before March. Maybe I am putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5 here but that could be the weekend when a most unpopular, but deemed necessary, Deed is Carried out[Title]

 

[Rick1984]

I noticed from last pictures, have the started putting up wires?

 

[380101]

I noticed from last pictures, have the started putting up wires?

The return wire (along track conductor in the rule book) has been strung up between Muirhouse and almost to Pollokshaws West. Some of it seem to be temporarily attached lower down the stantion that it will be eventually.

 

[OB23Gone]

Road Surfacing of the bridge this weekend.
One of the SPL workers said that there is the possibility of more of the OHL Equipment to be going on over the weekend. Mentioned drop wires going in.
Machines working around under the bridge and on the small stretch of Larkfield Curve today utilising being able to work in daylight due to the strike.

Road Surfacing of the bridge this weekend.
One of the SPL workers said that there is the possibility of more of the OHL Equipment to be going on over the weekend. Mentioned drop wires going in.
Machines working around under the bridge and on the small stretch of Larkfield Curve today utilising being able to work in daylight due to the strike.

Road & Pavement Surfacing Works Started 0n Sat 17th. These pictures were taken on the 18 Dec 2022 .Pictures taken between 1325 & 1345. There is another layer to go on but have no idea if work will continue today. Looking more likely finishing of work tomorrow. So Pedestrians will be allowed over pretty soon

Open to pedestrian traffic on North Side today. Dismantling of ramps and side cladding on Moray Place Footbridge well under way

 

[Scotrail88]

Road Surfacing of the bridge this weekend.
One of the SPL workers said that there is the possibility of more of the OHL Equipment to be going on over the weekend. Mentioned drop wires going in.
Machines working around under the bridge and on the small stretch of Larkfield Curve today utilising being able to work in daylight due to the strike.


Road & Pavement Surfacing Works Started 0n Sat 17th. These pictures were taken on the 18 Dec 2022 .Pictures taken between 1325 & 1345. There is another layer to go on but have no idea if work will continue today. Looking more likely finishing of work tomorrow. So Pedestrians will be allowed over pretty soon

Open to pedestrian traffic on North Side today. Dismantling of ramps and side cladding on Moray Place Footbridge well under way

Has the resurfacing been completed at the weekend?

Be good to see the road open earlier but presume other works to be done such as signals before.

Will they need to use the bridge to derig the temp footbridge?

 

[OB23Gone]

Has the resurfacing been completed at the weekend?

Be good to see the road open earlier but presume other works to be done such as signals before.

Will they need to use the bridge to derig the temp footbridge?

The bridge was open to foot traffic yesterday certainly Dismantling of temporary ramps on footbridge well underway

 

[59CosG95]

I noticed from last pictures, have the started putting up wires?

Wires up on Glasgow to Barrhead electrification | Scotland's Railway

⚡️ The Glasgow to Barrhead electrification project has taken a huge step forward, with the first 1.1km of overhead power cables installed last week. ‍♀️ Here's Hayley to tell us more. Transport Scotland ScotRail

www.linkedin.com

According to this post by Scotland's Railway on LinkedIn, the first 1.1km of wires have been put up. This mainly seems to be in the cutting between Nithsdale Rd & Crossmyloof, but it's hard to verify the start & end points from the video.

 

[OB23Gone]

Wires up on Glasgow to Barrhead electrification | Scotland's Railway

⚡️ The Glasgow to Barrhead electrification project has taken a huge step forward, with the first 1.1km of overhead power cables installed last week. ‍♀️ Here's Hayley to tell us more. Transport Scotland ScotRail

www.linkedin.com

According to this post by Scotland's Railway on LinkedIn, the first 1.1km of wires have been put up. This mainly seems to be in the cutting between Nithsdale Rd & Crossmyloof, but it's hard to verify the start & end points from the video.

The works were carried out on Friday 16th Dec. It was carried out between The Strathbungo Incline, Just Facing Hutchesons Grammar School, and Just short of Haggs Road Rail Bridge. The Rail Plant worked out of Robslee Drive Access Compound on the EK Line through Busby Junction to the Site at Haggs Road

Forgot to insert this view

 

[Southsider]

The works were carried out on Friday 16th Dec. It was carried out between The Strathbungo Incline, Just Facing Hutchesons Grammar School, and Just short of Haggs Road Rail Bridge. The Rail Plant worked out of Robslee Drive Access Compound on the EK Line through Busby Junction to the Site at Haggs Road

Forgot to insert this view

Good to see there were no clearance issue with the Titwood Road bridge, there had been some concerns expressed earlier in the thread. Still no portals (unless they're very recent) over the Cart viaduct so they can't wire much further south yet.

 

[nlogax]

Caught my first view of TTCs at the Barrhead end this afternoon as I drove under the line at Glasgow Rd before the petrol station and new retail park.

Terrible low-res preview from GoPro app but you can just about make out one TTC on the right through the trees.

 

[Frankton Junct]

The long term goal is to have the whole lot done, so it makes sense to do this but while the contractors are in the area.

Additionally, it will provide a powered link from the GSW to the WCML, in the event in the future of any electrified freight or odd workings.

There is no evidence on the ground of electrification of the Larkfield Curve and so it seems that it was indeed taken out of scope. It is a shame to have the compound built and the teams on site but leave a gap in the electrification. It will be more expensive and difficult to justify electrification as a standalone project. I acknowledge that the Barrhead stoppers and later on the East Kilbride EMUs can run their normal services without it.

One thing I've not seen mentioned is this the new run off track at Barhead leading onto single track section. Is it just a case of being brought up to modern standards or something else?

I wasn't aware of any track changes in Barrhead. The work I saw seemed to be maintenance and/or related to the re-control of the signalling (e.g. replacement point motors).

Although the first wires have been run, there are still some significant gaps in the masts; for example the viaduct over the White Cart river. Busby junction looks to need more masts for the run off to East Kilbride. There are a couple of rock cuttings that would need custom designs. There are piles approaching Barrhead station without masts as yet and there are no piles at or through Barrhead station. It is not clear if they will wire up all three platforms at Barrhead or only the bay platform used by the stopper. (The through platforms are bi-directionally signalled and so I assume that the stopper could use them, if needed).

There is still a stockpile of piles and heavy steel components in the temporary compound at Nitshill.

Muirhouse south junction:



Between Darnley Road and Moray Place:



Crossmyloof station: