Electrification Programme

This programme of work is the most significant electrification delivery phase to date of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP).

Work to electrify more than 150 route kilometres between Cumbernauld and Newbridge Junction will integrate with already existing electrified lines and enable the introduction of electric multiple unit (EMU) services on the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High Line(E&G).

It builds upon the programme of electrification delivered earlier this year between Springburn and Cumbernauld - which also encompassed infill electrification of the triangle where it meets the Motherwell to Cumbernauld line near Gartsherrie.

Initial piling work will be delivered between November 2014 and June 2016. It will be followed by a rolling programme of mast erection before wires will be run.

Other work to support the electrification; track, signalling, telcoms etc will be undertaken in tandem and as required. There will also be other elements of work both on and adjacent to the track to creat supporting infrastructure to supply the electricity to power the lines.

The line will be energised for use in September 2017

What this work looks like

initial phases of the work include GI and SI investigations and vegetation clearance

Our work clearing vegetation by the railway helps to keep trains running safely and on time - particualrly ahead of electrification

piling to support the installation of masts and gantries to carry overhead wires

Piling work will take place at night and is significantly noisy and disruptive
Every reasonable effort is made to mitigate against noise from this work but it is heavy engineering and some disturbance is unavoidable
This work has to take place at night for safety reasons and to main train services on the busy E&G line during the day

Electrifying the Railway:

Piling and Overhead Line Equipment

Junction, signalling and telecoms work to be undertaken to further modernise the infrastructure in support of electrification
Delivery will encompass all appropriate civils, track, points, junction signalling and telecoms infrastructure required for this route

What it delivers

The project will deliver electrification of the E&G to enable faster, modern, cleaner and quieter trains
It is the next and most significant step to date in a rolling programme of electrification Scotland's railway infrastructure
It has been preceeded by significant investment to clear bridges on the route to ensure electrification witres can be run safely under structures
It will build upon already delivered phases of the programme; Haymarket Station redevelopment, Springburn-Cumbernauld electrification.
It will complement other programmes of work which will be delivered both in tandem with and subsequent to the electrification programme: Queen Street redevelopment, construction of the new Edinburgh Gateway station @ Gogar, electrification to Polmont via Falkirk Grahamston, electrification to Stirling / Dunblane / Alloa

Alex Hynes visited Cadder Yard and talks Energisation and the introduction of new fleet of class 385 Electric trains

Energisation of the main Edinburgh - Glasgow line

The public are being warned that overhead power cables on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line will be live for testing from Saturday, September 2, as work to electrify the route nears completion.

Work on the line between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High will shortly enter its final four-week-long testing and safety validating process which will enable the introduction of new electric rolling stock in October.

Safety on and around the railway is Network Rail’s top priority and with the overhead power cables carrying 25,000 volts of electricity, a campaign is underway to highlight the new dangers an electrified railway poses to those who trespass on the tracks or accidentally make contact with overhead lines.

This leaflet is being distributed to lineside communities across the route to highlight the new hazards of the elctrified railway.

Download Leaflet Here