Haymarket to Dalmeny electrification

[Scotrail84]

Just gone past and there are droppers from the end of the wire runs at least halfway to South Gyle, and the register arms around the curve.

I don't know how far the masts go, but progress is definitely happening.

Only sporadic masts in place between Saughton and just north of Edinburgh gateway. No particular pattern to them either. Seems random, none of them have anything attached to them near gateway station. Been like that for a month or so now. From next weeks timetable change theres alterations to there last inbound services from fife to allow possessions to take place for OHE work.

 

[EMU303]

Only sporadic masts in place between Saughton and just north of Edinburgh gateway. No particular pattern to them either. Seems random, none of them have anything attached to them near gateway station. Been like that for a month or so now. From next weeks timetable change theres alterations to there last inbound services from fife to allow possessions to take place for OHE work.

Is there a definitive plan for electrification towards Fife or is it a case of there’s some resource available so let’s “fill a gap”? Given an updated decarbonisation plan is still awaited (presumably linked to the Scottish government budget) it gives the impression of being haphazard?

 

[najaB]

Is there a definitive plan for electrification towards Fife or is it a case of there’s some resource available so let’s “fill a gap”?

There's a stated intention, though the plan is subject to revision.

 

[SC318250]

With electrifying Haymarket to Dalmeny…. Is there many structures that would need changed to electricy Dalmeny-Whinchburgh so that in the event of flooding at Whinchburgh they can divert?

 

[waverley47]

With electrifying Haymarket to Dalmeny…. Is there many structures that would need changed to electricy Dalmeny-Whinchburgh so that in the event of flooding at Whinchburgh they can divert?

Google maps suggests there are four overbridges still there that might need work. Ultimately though it's likely that any future blockade of Winchburgh tunnel would result in cancellations between Linlithgow and Edinburgh Parkway, as the capacity to divert a minimum of 4tph in each way with a reversal at Dalmeny seems unlikely.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

There's a stated intention, though the plan is subject to revision.

Scottish budget this week has budgeted 1B for capital investment in rail services so that should keep things moving forward although specific detail on projects wasn't detailed

 

[Hamish26]

Is that an increase or decrease from the previous capital investment budget? I think they cut rail slightly at the last budget

 

[Scotrail84]

Is there a definitive plan for electrification towards Fife or is it a case of there’s some resource available so let’s “fill a gap”? Given an updated decarbonisation plan is still awaited (presumably linked to the Scottish government budget) it gives the impression of being haphazard?

I'm sorry, I have no idea, a mast appears every now and again and thats it really. No substations or anything that ive seen yet.

Google maps suggests there are four overbridges still there that might need work. Ultimately though it's likely that any future blockade of Winchburgh tunnel would result in cancellations between Linlithgow and Edinburgh Parkway, as the capacity to divert a minimum of 4tph in each way with a reversal at Dalmeny seems unlikely.

2 bridges before the South Gyle station need rebuilt and theres 2 immediately before the Airport that need done as well. Theres also one on the curving approach to Dalmeny jn that needs attention too. I make it 5 in total

Theres absolutely no chance of 4tph being diverted via Dalmeny. If I remember correctly, when Winchburgh tunnel closed for few weeks to slab and lower the track and sort out the flooding issue the E and Gs were reduced to half hourly but ran as 6 car turbos all day. The Dunblane to Edinburgh services started and terminated at Linlithgow with connections to/from Edinburgh on the E and G services. If my memory isn't playing tricks on me I'm sure thats what happened.

There's a stated intention, though the plan is subject to revision.

Most likely it will be revised. I'll bet there will still be diesel trains in passenger service around in the central belt after 2035.

 

[Boff]

2 bridges before the South Gyle station need rebuilt and theres 2 immediately before the Airport that need done as well. Theres also one on the curving approach to Dalmeny jn that needs attention too. I make it 5 in total

I think they were referring to the bridges on the chord between Dalmeny & Winchburgh.

 

[Scotrail84]

I think they were referring to the bridges on the chord between Dalmeny & Winchburgh.

Looking at google earth, its hard to tell but there could be 4 or 5 that need rebuilt/removed to accommodate overheads

 

[D6130]

I wonder whether special emergency arrangements will have to be made - as with the signalling - where the railway passes the end of the runway at Turnhouse Airport? At the very least it will require special extre-low catenary as used between Paisley St James and Bishopton where the Gourock line passes the end of the runway at Glasgow Airport.

 

[PaulLothian]

I wonder whether special emergency arrangements will have to be made - as with the signalling - where the railway passes the end of the runway at Turnhouse Airport? At the very least it will require special extre-low catenary as used between Paisley St James and Bishopton where the Gourock line passes the end of the runway at Glasgow Airport.

Covered in some detail on the first page of this discussion...

 

[EastFifer]

The view from Lennymuir Road looking towards Edinburgh Gateway.
They’ve quietly crept up towards the Airport.

 

[jamieintercity]

There are piles north of the airport runway until the OB off standingstane road (nothing around dalmeny, nor over the runway on the down line)

Masts appear after lennymuir road OB but nothing through Edinburgh gateway and south gyle.

A short run of earth wire appears on the down line just after saughton junction

 

[EastFifer]

Does anyone know if they’re closing the line over the festive period to crack on with this project?
I could google and find out myself but where’s the fun in that!?

 

[Scotrail84]

Does anyone know if they’re closing the line over the festive period to crack on with this project?
I could google and find out myself but where’s the fun in that!?

No they are not, but theres night closures between now and May to allow work to take place. The last services towards Edinburgh being routed via the dalmeny/winchburgh curve. The Aberdeen sleeper is diverted via Perth and Stirling.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

No they are not, but theres night closures between now and May to allow work to take place. The last services towards Edinburgh being routed via the Dalmeny/Winchburgh curve. The Aberdeen sleeper is diverted via Perth and Stirling.

Great so by Spring Bank Holiday late May, there should be quite a lot of visible (and invisible!) progress.

 

[InOban]

There's no urgency since the only trains which will use it would be lner until ScoGov finds the resources to acquire some BEMUs.
I assume the squad works on it when they're not needed on the East Kilbride line.

 

[Elecman]

I wonder whether special emergency arrangements will have to be made - as with the signalling - where the railway passes the end of the runway at Turnhouse Airport? At the very least it will require special extre-low catenary as used between Paisley St James and Bishopton where the Gourock line passes the end of the runway at Glasgow Airport.

OLE trip wires would be installed /or if already fitted for signalling purposes would add an extra relay connection to trip the OLE ala Manchester airport

 

[scrapy]

Isn't there also a length a 'trip wire' too which would automatically turn signals in the area to red if a plane comes into contact with it? My recollection is that this should be above the height of any OHLE that would be erected.

At Manchester it's my understanding that the trip wire also automatically cuts power to the overheads should an aircraft fly low enough to make contact with it.

 

[chuff chuff]

The 'trip' wires at Edinburgh airport are in a state of disrepair.

 

[Waverleystu]

Not a great photo but I did notice what looks to be return/feeder wires on the overhead line equipment at Saughton today. Image is from a London bound Azuma

 

[59CosG95]

Not a great photo but I did notice what looks to be return/feeder wires on the overhead line equipment at Saughton today. Image is from a London bound Azuma

That'll be the Earth Wire - most modern systems have them since the Booster Transformer system has fallen out of favour for new installations. Saves bonding every structure to the traction return rail.

 

[chuff chuff]

Been there for a fews weeks now.

 

[Waverleystu]

That'll be the Earth Wire - most modern systems have them since the Booster Transformer system has fallen out of favour for new installations. Saves bonding every structure to the traction return rail.

Ah okay, thank you for clarifying

Been there for a fews weeks now.

Noticed a couple of new bits and pieces on the overhead equipment since late November. I was surprised to see wire going up before all the overhead structures are in place

 

[scotraildriver]

Noticed passing Cadder depot there are 3 OHL feeder stations at the SPL powerlines place. One marked Dalmeny, one Thornton Jct and a 3rd unmarked one.

 

[waverley47]

Noticed passing Cadder depot there are 3 OHL feeder stations at the SPL powerlines place. One marked Dalmeny, one Thornton Jct and a 3rd unmarked one.

The third one will either be Tweedbank or a test kit.

 

[92002]

Noticed passing Cadder depot there are 3 OHL feeder stations at the SPL powerlines place. One marked Dalmeny, one Thornton Jct and a 3rd unmarked one.

Delivery times for these are quite lengthy. No doubt the 3 units are in safe storage at Cadder until the Fife Circle or ACB schemes are authorised for installation. Not currently authorised. The other could possibly be for Dundee.

 

[waverley47]

Delivery times for these are quite lengthy. No doubt the 3 units are in safe storage at Cadder until the Fife Circle or ACB schemes are authorised for installation. Not currently authorised. The other could possibly be for Dundee.

All three sites have been authorised, although only Thornton has planning permission.

The planning permission for the actual electrification masts at Tweedbank is slower than expected but the FS is just awaiting a "Go/NoGo" decision from the local council.

The planning permission for the Dalmeny FS should covered by permitted development, as it's on railway land and there's no grid connection to hold up the project.

 

[92002]

All three sites have been authorised, although only Thornton has planning permission.

The planning permission for the actual electrification masts at Tweedbank is slower than expected but the FS is just awaiting a "Go/NoGo" decision from the local council.

The planning permission for the Dalmeny FS should covered by permitted development, as it's on railway land and there's no grid connection to hold up the project.

Tweedbank should be a relatively easy electrification scheme. When the line was reopened it was built with plans for electrification at some point.