Levenmouth rail link to reopen: project updates

[waverley47]

Press release

Closure dates announced for Levenmouth railway crossings

Network Rail is advising communities along the route of the Levenmouth line that crossing points over the railway will close at the end of the month.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

---------------- This will be no doubt be automerged with the above.

Fife Today has this to say on the crossing closures:

Leven rail link: Network Rail face backlash over plan to close historic crossings

Plans to permanently close historic crossing over a rail line as part of the work on the new Levenmouth line have sparked a huge backlash.

www.fifetoday.co.uk

This will be automerged too.

Fiona Hyslop, Transport Minister, has visited and fitted the last rail clip, according to the Facebook page.

And this will be a further automerge.

Transport Scotland and Network Rail now both have press releases about today's events.

Transport Minister marks significant milestone on Leven rail link | Transport Scotland

www.transport.gov.scot

Transport Minister welcomes completion of track work at Leven

Scotland’s Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, has today installed the final pandrol clip to mark completion of track laying on the Levenmouth Rail Link project.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Notice the latest wording on electrification: "Installation of infrastructure to enable future electrification of the line".

Well we knew for a while that we were waiting on the feeder before wires. I'd expect some of the pylons to go up without wires for the time being but ultimately the piles having already gone in is enough of a commitment for now.

 

[snowball]

The recent "last Pandrol clip" ceremony was not quite honest - it left the branch with plain line throughout, the only set of points to date being for the end of the long single lead from Thornton junction. A facing crossover is being installed near Leven station. There will also have to be a trailing crossover of course.

A post on the "other" Facebook page (i.e. Levenmouth Rail Campaign, not the Levenmouth Building a Railway page linked upthread) has this:

Levenmouth Rail Campaign

Levenmouth Rail Campaign. 3,570 likes · 43 talking about this. The Levenmouth Rail Campaign seeks to reinstate direct rail services between Leven and Edinburgh. The latest community-based Campaign...

www.facebook.com

A special LMRC Meeting (#105) yesterday evening featured a presentation from Scotrail representatives, Kirsty and Euan. Now that the tracks are laid (though various signalling and other equipment is still being installed and with station infrastructure still to come), the operational aspects of the new train service are a focus

Among information provided – 3 trains will be stabled overnight in Leven and a small train crew depot (sized for 24 including 10 drivers, 10 conductors) which will occupy two-thirds of the station building. Both stations will be unmanned. These, in fact up to 400 crew in total need to be trained in batches from January onwards

One major concern is the shortage of rolling stock so services may suffer from the current major shortage. Class 158 and 170 diesel units (2-3 carriages) will be used initially. A public consolation across Fife on timetabling is planned soon. No decisions have been made on fares. the point was stressed that fares need to be competitive with Kirkcaldy (and Markinch) to ensure potential passengers use this route. incidentally another round of consolation on Levenmouth bus routes is also taking place in early September

An upbeat presentation from Matt Poynton of Levenmouth Local Tourism Association was also made. This will be covered separately

I like the idea of a "public consolation".

 

[najaB]

The recent "last Pandrol clip" ceremony was not quite honest

Those kind of ceremonies rarely are. Hence why they're described as ceremonial.

 

[Macwomble]

Crossover at Leven Station now installed

Leven - RAILSCOT

RailScot, a history of Railways with an emphasis on Scottish Railways. Photographs, maps, news, queries and more.

www.railscot.co.uk

 

[snowball]

Crossover at Leven Station now installed

Leven - RAILSCOT

RailScot, a history of Railways with an emphasis on Scottish Railways. Photographs, maps, news, queries and more.

www.railscot.co.uk

And the other one too (quite a way from the station, presumably because they're only putting points on straights):

Log in to Facebook

Log in to Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family and people you know.

www.facebook.com

 

[numtot12345]

Scotrail undertaking consultation on draft timetable - link here

Fife and the Tay Cities Timetable Consultation

This consultation is now closed. As part of our vision to support thriving, connected, and resilient communities and destinations that are great places to live, work, and visit, we are holding a public consultation on a proposed new timetable for services between Edinburgh, Fife, and the Tay...

www.scotrail.co.uk

 

[snowball]

Scotrail undertaking consultation on draft timetable - link here

Fife and the Tay Cities Timetable Consultation

This consultation is now closed. As part of our vision to support thriving, connected, and resilient communities and destinations that are great places to live, work, and visit, we are holding a public consultation on a proposed new timetable for services between Edinburgh, Fife, and the Tay...

www.scotrail.co.uk

There's already a thread about this in another part of the forum:

Fife and the Tay Cities Timetable Consultation

Scotrail have released this today as part of the planning for the (re)opening for stations at Cameron Bridge and Leven. https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/future-timetables/fife-and-tay-cities-timetable-consultation As part of our vision to support thriving, connected, and resilient...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Mag_seven]

Project Updates only in this thread please - timetable discussions can be found in the thread highlighted by @snowball above i.e.

Fife and the Tay Cities Timetable Consultation

Scotrail have released this today as part of the planning for the (re)opening for stations at Cameron Bridge and Leven. https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/future-timetables/fife-and-tay-cities-timetable-consultation As part of our vision to support thriving, connected, and resilient...

www.railforums.co.uk

thanks

 

[snowball]

Mains services are being diverted back onto the rebuilt Bawbee bridge. The adjacent temporary footbridge has been closed.

Levenmouth Building a Railway | Leven

Levenmouth Building a Railway, Leven, Fife. 1,237 likes · 92 talking about this · 7 were here. ‘Levenmouth Building a Railway’, sharing the building of Levenmouth Railway in images and video.

www.facebook.com

 

[snowball]

Press release

Cameron Bridge station footbridge installed as part of £116m project

Network Rail has installed the footbridge at Cameron Bridge station as part of the new £116m Levenmouth Rail Link development.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Network Rail has installed the footbridge at Cameron Bridge station as part of the new £116m Levenmouth Rail Link development.

It’s the latest step forward for the Scottish Government-funded project which will see passenger trains return to the Levenmouth branch line for the first time in more than five decades.

Eleven sections making up the main framework of the steel bridge and lift-towers were successfully craned into position on the new platforms.

The largest section, the main bridge span, is 15 metres long and sits more than six metres above the track to enable clearance for electrification.

Two lift towers stand 11 metres high and are visible from the surrounding area serving as a new landmark for the new Cameron Bridge station.

It is the only station footbridge on the line as Leven boasts an island platform to enable step-free access to the station.

Located southeast of Windygates just off the A915, the station will have 125 car parking spaces with provision for electric vehicle charging, accessible spaces and cycle storage.

A bus stop and turning circle will be on site and the station will connect to local communities via new footpaths. Methilhill will also connect to the new station via a new active travel bridge over the river to the south.

Joe Mulvenna, Network Rail’s project manager for the Levenmouth Rail Link project said:

“Installation of the footbridge is another visible step forward in the project’s delivery. We’re grateful to the team at Cameron Bridge for completing this challenging element of the project safely and efficiently.

“The bridge and lifts will help deliver easy access between platforms in the station which will serve the surrounding communities as well as acting as a park and ride facility for people from slightly further afield.

“Work will now continue, both on the bridge and the wider station development, which will help open the area to new opportunities and transform this community.”

 

[snowball]

Bawbee Bridge to reopen to road traffic on 4 Dec:

Date announced for Leven Road bridge to re-open.

Network Rail has announced a date for the opening of the new River Leven Road (Bawbee) bridge following completion of work to rebuild the section above Leven station.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Network Rail has announced a date for the opening of the new River Leven Road (Bawbee) bridge following completion of work to rebuild the section above Leven station.

At 10:00 on Monday, December 4 the road will be fully re-opened to traffic, with engineers progressing work on the car park area of the new Leven station.

The road diversion that has taken vehicles across the temporary road bridge and onto the existing road network via the new roundabout at South Street (B932) will close and the bridge over the river will be removed.

Sitting above the new Leven station car park, the A955 road bridge was completely rebuilt as the original structure showed significant signs of chlorine contamination and corrosion. A long-term weight restriction from the carriageway was removed following the reconstruction of the bridge.

The temporary footbridge alongside has been removed:

Levenmouth Building a Railway | Leven

Levenmouth Building a Railway, Leven, Fife. 1,237 likes · 92 talking about this · 7 were here. ‘Levenmouth Building a Railway’, sharing the building of Levenmouth Railway in images and video.

www.facebook.com

The Facebook page has pictures of surfacing on and around the bridge and the lifting out of the footbridge

----------------------------------

This will doubtless get automerged.

Bawbee Bridge now open to road traffic six days early.

Levenmouth Building a Railway | Leven

Levenmouth Building a Railway, Leven, Fife. 1,237 likes · 92 talking about this · 7 were here. ‘Levenmouth Building a Railway’, sharing the building of Levenmouth Railway in images and video.

www.facebook.com

 

[Tobbes]

Excellent progress!

 

[chuff chuff]

I see on that Facebook page there are some pictures of the speed boards going in and in behind it is a steel piling for the overhead structures to bolt to,won't happen anytime soon likely though.

 

[snowball]

Press release with video

Bawbee Bridge re-opens earlier than planned

The new Bawbee bridge officially opened to traffic on Tuesday (28 November), earlier than had been planned.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

The new Bawbee bridge officially opened to traffic on Tuesday (28 November), earlier than had been planned.

Work to replace the structure, which was weight-restricted and at the end of its lifespan, was funded by Fife Council and delivered by Network Rail as part of the wider Levenmouth Rail Link project.

During the demolition of the original bridge, a temporary road bridge was in place to carry around 18,000 vehicle movements per day and minimise disruption.

With the new Bawbee bridge in place, the temporary road bridge will be removed and work will continue to create the car park for the new Leven station.

It’s a significant piece of work, with the new structure boasts 7,000 tonnes of stone and 100 tonnes of steel reinforcement.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Real Time Trains shows some 'test' trains from Monday 8 January onwards. First couple of days a bit more intensive than from Wednesday 10th onwards.

 

[MadMac]

Real Time Trains shows some 'test' trains from Monday 8 January onwards. First couple of days a bit more intensive than from Wednesday 10th onwards.

8th is when the branch signalling should be up and running, so probably related to that.

 

[jamieintercity]

Training runs have commenced this morning with 158704 doing the honours right now according to RTT. Also, what is the maximum line speed on the branch.

 

[chuff chuff]

Training runs have commenced this morning with 158704 doing the honours right now according to RTT. Also, what is the maximum line speed on the branch.

Think it's DI's and DTM's on it first.

 

[The Puddock]

Training runs have commenced this morning with 158704 doing the honours right now according to RTT. Also, what is the maximum line speed on the branch.

Max linespeed is 45mph.

 

[railjock]

Some good video on Facebook of the first test trains.

 

[snowball]

Some good video on Facebook of the first test trains.

Stills on the two usual Levenmouth Facebook pages

Levenmouth Building a Railway | Leven

Levenmouth Building a Railway, Leven, Fife. 1,237 likes · 92 talking about this · 7 were here. ‘Levenmouth Building a Railway’, sharing the building of Levenmouth Railway in images and video.

www.facebook.com

Levenmouth Rail Campaign

Levenmouth Rail Campaign. 3,570 likes · 43 talking about this. The Levenmouth Rail Campaign seeks to reinstate direct rail services between Leven and Edinburgh. The latest community-based Campaign...

www.facebook.com

 

[geoffk]

"One major concern is the shortage of rolling stock so services may suffer from the current major shortage. Class 158 and 170 diesel units (2-3 carriages) will be used initially."

I assume one unit has been released by the recent Barrhead electrification.

 

[railjock]

Video here.

Log in to Facebook

Log in to Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family and people you know.

www.facebook.com

 

[chuff chuff]

"One major concern is the shortage of rolling stock so services may suffer from the current major shortage. Class 158 and 170 diesel units (2-3 carriages) will be used initially."

I assume one unit has been released by the recent Barrhead electrification.

The Dundee to Arbroath and Inverurie to Montrose have been thinned out to provide sets I believe.

 

[hwl]

I assume one unit has been released by the recent Barrhead electrification.

A Glasgow based 156 which isn't much use in this case and then there are the on going Ayr issues regarding 156s.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

The Dundee to Arbroath and Inverurie to Montrose have been thinned out to provide sets I believe.

So SNP Transport minister will do the photo op shortly celebrating the reopening yet other parts of Scotland have to lose capacity or services!

 

[Tayway]

Doesn't the proposed timetable reinstate the Dundee semi-fast? This will require 3 or 4 units too, so I don't think saving a couple from the Arbroath-Dundee and Montrose-Inverurie shuttles will have much impact.

Presumably there would have been enough to go round given fewer should be in service each day now than before May 2022, if it weren't for the HST issues leading to so many DMU substitutes.

 

[chuff chuff]

So SNP Transport minister will do the photo op shortly celebrating the reopening yet other parts of Scotland have to lose capacity or services!

It's okay as they stopping some the inter7city services to pick up some of the slack.

Doesn't the proposed timetable reinstate the Dundee semi-fast? This will require 3 or 4 units too, so I don't think saving a couple from the Arbroath-Dundee and Montrose-Inverurie shuttles will have much impact.

Presumably there would have been enough to go round given fewer should be in service each day now than before May 2022, if it weren't for the HST issues leading to so many DMU substitutes.

I have no idea to be honest,there seems to be a few of the fife and Edinburgh to Perth services running through the day with four and five cars currently.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

A Glasgow based 156 which isn't much use in this case and then there are the on going Ayr issues regarding 156s.

Two 156s released from the Barrhead services which have been redeployed on the Anniesland services from Queen Street.
This in turn releases two 158s for Driver Training.

On paper anyway, considering there are always HST substitutions and therefore short-forming elsewhere.

The Ayr 156 shuttles sees East Kilbride services reduced to 4-cars instead of 6 which now with platform works at Giffnock are now a maximum of 4-cars anyway on that line.

 

[snowball]

Press release

Trains given green light to use Levenmouth Rail Link

Network Rail has commissioned the signalling system on the new £116m Levenmouth Rail Link - meaning trains can use the line.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Network Rail has commissioned the signalling system on the new £116m Levenmouth Rail Link - meaning trains can use the line.

The signalling was successfully tested and brought into use over the weekend (January 6/7) and ScotRail will now be able to begin training drivers on the new route.

This will see a significant number of trains on the track in coming weeks as drivers develop their knowledge of the new section of railway between Thornton Junction and Leven Station.

Completion of the signalling and the start of driver training is a major step on the way to reconnecting Leven to the mainline railway with passenger services set to begin this summer.

A Scottish Government funded investment, the Levenmouth Rail Link will deliver six miles of new railway and two new stations – at Leven and Cameron Bridge – to open up new social and economic opportunities for the local community.

Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Transport said: “This is a key milestone in reconnecting Levenmouth with the rail network, delivering benefits and opportunities to the people of Leven and Fife. It is also clear evidence of our commitment to investing in Scotland’s Railway as we seek to attract more people onto public transport.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the project thus far and look forward to seeing the completion of the stations and active travel links. The imminent start of driver training is another major step towards the railway opening and I aim to visit in the coming weeks to see this progress.”

Gerry McQuade, capital delivery director for Scotland’s Railway, said: “The commissioning of the signalling system is the last piece of the jigsaw which delivers a fully operational railway ready for driver training.

“The project team will now focus on completing both of the new stations on the line and enhancing the active travel links – walking and cycling routes - that will connect the communities to the new railway.”

David Lister, ScotRail Safety, Engineering & Sustainability Director, said: “With the new signalling system now commissioned, ScotRail will begin a programme of driver training enabling our trains to run safely onto the wider network.

“This investment marks one of the final steps towards opening the Levenmouth line, which will deliver new and improved services for our customers across Fife and East Scotland.”

Signalling systems allow trains to move around the network, tracking them as they progress along the railway and stopping them safely at stations and junctions.

Specialist engineers have worked for months to design and install the different elements of the new system along the route.

The system on the Levenmouth branch, which is controlled from Network Rail’s Edinburgh signalling centre, includes:

15 Signals (lineside lights to advise drivers when they can move safely)
22 Axle counters (which identify the location of trains on the network)
3 sets of points (movable rails that direct trains at junctions)
21 Location cabinets (that manage power and communications between different signalling elements)