There have been a few threads recently which have mentioned various different lines and dates for electrification in Scotland.
I thought I’d try and bring together all the different sources for electrification and do a timeline of what has happened, is happening and is likely to happen in future.
Airdrie – Bathgate – 2010
Drumgelloch – Newbridge Junction
Newbridge Junction - Haymarket East Junction
Haymarket Central Junction – Haymarket North Tunnels
Mound Central tunnels
Edinburgh Waverley western bays
Opened in December 2010, the new line involved double tracking and electrifying the existing line from Haymarket to Bathgate and building a new double track electrified railway between Bathgate and Drumgelloch.
Paisley Canal – 2012
Corkerhill Depot – Paisley Canal
Opened in December 2012 the low budget scheme was facilitated by only allowing for electric EMUs with freight able to run only when wires are de-energised. Also aided by an agreement with Scotrail to waive compensation payments for line closures during construction.
Cumbernauld – 2014
Springburn – Gartcosh junction
Gartcosh junction – Garnqueen junction
Garnqueen junction – Cumbernauld
Gartcosh junction – Gartsherrie junction
Garnqueen junction – Gartsherrie junction
Gartsherrie Junction – Gartsherrie Freightliner terminal
To be completed by May 2014 between Springburn and Cumbernauld allowing diversion of services to Queen St Low Level. Network Rail confirmed on Twitter that the Monklands triangle is included in this phase of works so Motherwell – Cumbernauld services can be electrified as well from Summer 2014 (if suitable stock available)
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co...rway-1dbd.aspx
Cumbernauld – Falkirk Grahamston to await EGIP diversionary routes phase in 2018
Whifflet – 2014
Rutherglen – Whifflet
Already electrified at both ends this short commuter route is planned for completion by May 2014 to give flexibility for extra services during the Commonwealth Games. Electrification of this route will also enable diversion of services to Glasgow Central low level, freeing up capacity at the high level station.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-west-22716540
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/...ramme-on-track
Edinburgh – Glasgow via Falkirk High – 2016
Glasgow Queen St – Cowlairs South junction
Cowlairs South junction – Cowlairs West junction
Cowlairs West junction – Cowlairs East junction
Cowlairs East junction – Greenhill Upper junction
Greenhill Upper junction – Polmont junction
Polmont junction – Winchburgh junction
Winchburgh junction – Newbridge junction
Electrification of flagship Edinburgh Glasgow route to be completed by December 2016, alongside work to extend platforms at intermediate stations to take 8 car trains. Glasgow Queen St will also be rebuilt to take 8 car trains but this work will not be completed until December 2018 so initially only 7 car electric trains will run.
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co...nder-1dd1.aspx
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...itics-22722514
Edinburgh & Glasgow diversionary routes – 2018
Greenhill Upper junction – Greenhill Lower junction
Greenhill Lower junction – Carmuirs West junction
Carmuirs West junction – Carmuirs East junction
Carmuirs East junction – Grangemouth junction
Grangemouth junction – Polmont junction
Cumbernauld – Greenhill Lower junction
Springburn – Sighthill West junction
Sighthill West junction – Cowlairs West junction
Sighthill West junction – Cowlairs South junction
This is the first phase of the new “rolling programme of electrification which will cover around 100 single track kilometres per annum, commencing from the completion of EGIP”. See p33 of the Scotland Route Plan and p47 of the NR Strategic Business Plan. Although they have the same implementation date as the Stirling – Alloa lines (Dec 2018) in practice you might expect some of these routes to open slightly earlier allowing operational flexibility and conversion to electric traction of Falkirk Grahamston – Glasgow Queen St trains.
Grangemouth Branch – 2018
Grangemouth junction – Grangemouth
This is listed in the Network Rail business plan as being included with the Edinburgh and Glasgow diversionary routes to “potentially allow electric haulage of freight to Grangemouth, which could free up capacity on the West Coast Main Line”
It is not clear if this is a committed route yet but electrification of the Grangemouth rail line is identified under Priority 20 – Grangemouth Road and Rail Access Upgrades in the Strategic Transport Projects Review (see p112).
Falkirk Council’s plans to investigate the possibility of reopening Grangemouth station may also interact with this project:
http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/...tion-1-3047784
Stirling, Alloa, Dunblane lines – 2018
Carmuirs West junction – Larbert junction
Carmuirs East junction – Larbert junction
Larbert junction – Stirling
Stirling – Dunblane
Stirling – Alloa
This is the next phase of the new “rolling programme of electrification which will cover around 100 single track kilometres per annum, commencing from the completion of EGIP”. See p33 of the Scotland Route Plan and p47 of the NR Strategic Business Plan. Allows the re-timetabling of Edinburgh via Falkirk as the majority of trains on this route will now be electrified (only Glasgow – Aberdeen/Inverness and Highland Chieftain remain diesel operated).
Glasgow North Suburban - 2018?
Cowlairs West junction – Cowlairs North junction
Cowlairs East junction – Cowlairs North junction
Cowlairs North junction – Maryhill
Maryhill – Anniesland
Maryhill – Knightswood north junction
This is listed as Gap A26.4 in the Network Rail RUS Electrification and is listed in Phase 2 under Priority 6 – Further Electrification of the Strategic Rail Network in the Strategic Transport Projects Review (see p74). It may be included as one of the Edinburgh and Glasgow diversionary routes to ensure more electric trains operating out of Queen St and improve timetabling. If so a completion date of December 2018 is possible. Or it may be one of the next schemes to progress early in CP6.
Shotts Line – 2019
Holytown – Midcalder junction
Committed scheme with December 2019 completion date specified in the 2013 Transport Scotland Rail Electrification Programme. Electrification of this route will enable diversion of services to Glasgow Central low level, freeing up capacity at the high level station.
East Kilbride – 2019 or sooner?
Muirhouse junction – Busby junction
Busby junction – East Kilbride
Described in the Network Rail Industry Strategic Business Plan as “The electrification of East Kilbride branch is also planned to be undertaken in CP5 through a similar alliancing project which successfully delivered electrification of the Paisley Canal branch in CP4.” (see p48) No date is given so assume it follows the EGIP proposals and possibly slots in after the Shotts line?
Edinburgh South Suburban Line – CP5
Portobello junction – Niddrie West junction
Millerhill Yard – Niddrie West junction
Niddrie West junction – Craiglockhart junction
Craiglockhart junction – Slateford junction
Slateford junction – Gorgie junction
Gorgie junction – Haymarket West junction
Gorgie junction – Haymarket Central junction
Network Rail Scotland Route Plan describes the scheme “Edinburgh Suburban line electrification, as part of the W12 gauge clearance works over the ECML to Mossend via the Suburban line in CP4 the project team is also reviewing the cost to electrify the route. It is the Industry view that the cost to electrify should be included in the Strategic Business Plan (SBP) request for funding.” (See p33)
City Union Line – CP6? 2020?
Shields junction – Eglinton St junction
Eglinton St junction – High St junction
Plans for electrification of this freight only diversionary route are being developed by Network Rail in CP4 alongside the Shotts and East Kilbride schemes. It can therefore be assumed it will be one of the next schemes to progress once these are completed. Route Q - Scotland West 2011 Update describes the scheme as “Part of Electrification phase 2 Glasgow Suburban in-fill” with the scheme description saying “The City Union Line offers a shorter route for empty stock movements between the north and south Glasgow suburban rail network.”
Barrhead, Kilmarnock and Barassie – CP6? 2021?
Busby junction – Barrhead
Barrhead – Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock junction – Barassie junction
The final scheme being designed in CP4 this would complete the routes listed under Phase 2 under Priority 6 – Further Electrification of the Strategic Rail Network in the Strategic Transport Projects Review (see p74). Route Q - Scotland West 2011 Update describes the scheme as “Development of electrification of East Kilbride Branch and Line out to Barrhead & Kilmarnock and Barassie (part of Electrification phase 2 Glasgow South Suburban in-fill. The development of the Barrhead, Kilmarnock to Barassie section will be reviewed at a later time.)” This implies that the Barrhead section may be completed as an initial phase.
Fife Circle – 2024?
Haymarket – Inverkeithing
Inverkeithing – Kirkcaldy via Dunferminline
Inverkeithing – Kirkcaldy via Kinghorn
The Scottish ministers HLOS for CP5 requires that “the following strategic projects to be developed to an appropriate level to inform potential future funding decisions: Phase 3, 4 and 5 electrification in line with the conclusions of the STPR design schemes” We can assume therefore that the phasing of future electrification set out in the STPR is still valid and would form the basis of a continuing rolling electrification plan of circa 100km per year. If this is the case then the Fife Circle Line will be the first Phase 3 project to progress.
Phase 3 completion to Dundee/Perth – 2026?
Kirkcaldy – Ladybank
Ladybank – Dundee
Ladybank - Perth
The STPR Priority 6 – Further Electrification of the Strategic Rail Network describes Phase 3 of electrification as “Electrification of routes between Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee including the Fife Circle;” (see p74) so these routes would be the next in line for completion.
Dunblane - Aberdeen (Phase 4) – 2029?
Dunblane – Perth
Perth – Dundee
Dundee – Aberdeen
Aberdeen – Inverurie
The STPR Priority 6 – Further Electrification of the Strategic Rail Network describes Phase 4 as “Electrification from Dunblane to Aberdeen” (see p74). It is not clear whether this would include electrification from Aberdeen to Inverurie to allow continue operation of through trains to Dyce and Inverurie from the south.
Highland Main Line (Phase 5) – Post 2030
Perth – Inverness
The STPR Priority 6 – Further Electrification of the Strategic Rail Network describes Phase 5 as “Electrification from Perth to Inverness” (see p74).
Kilmarnock – Carlisle via Dumfries – Post 2030
Kilmarnock – Gretna Green
Ardrossan – Hunterston
Newton – Mauchline
This route is not explicitly described as included in the STPR electrification programme although the map on p75 does show it as part of the scheme. If it were to progress it may be as part of a scheme to improve freight provision and could include electrification to Hunterston and Newton – Mauchline as well.
Borders Rail Line – Post 2030
Newcraighall – Tweedbank
Not included in current plans but a logical extension of electrification after current plans are complete. The Borders Railway FAQs state. “The new railway will be engineered to allow for electrification to be carried out in years to come if desired.”
Aberdeen – Inverness – Post 2030
Inverness – Inverurie or Aberdeen
Not included in current plans but enhancements planned for CP5 and CP6 will enable hourly services to run throughout with 2tph services at each end of the line making this another logical candidate for extension of electrification.
Ayr – Girvan – Post 2030
Ayr – Girvan
No official status but independent reports have called for electrification to Girvan as part of plans to improve the frequency south of Ayr to hourly and recast Stranraer services.
http://www.carricktoday.co.uk/news/l...rvan-1-1971067
http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/...spx?ItemId=524
Other Lines
Beyond these schemes, other route reopenings such as Levenmouth or Alloa – Dunfermline could become future electrification candidates if passenger services were successfully reintroduced.
It seems unlikely that Far North Lines and Kyle of Lochalsh, West Highland Line and Girvan – Stranraer would ever be electrified though.
Sources:
Network Rail, Industry strategic business plan CP5 2014-19, Scotland
Published January 2013
The Scottish Ministers' High Level Output Specification
Published June 2012
Transport Scotland Rail Electrification Programme - Control Period 5 (2014-19)
Published Summer 2013
Network Rail Scotland Route Plan
Published 2012
Scottish Government Strategic Transport Projects Review Final Report
Published October 2009
Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen St, proposed electrification - Grip stage 1 report
Published May 2007
Network Rail Network RUS: Electrification Strategy
Published October 2009
Network Rail Route Plans:
Route P - Scotland East
Route P - Scotland East 2011 Update
Route Q - Scotland West
Route Q - Scotland West 2011 Update