Railway electrification in Scotland explained

Railway electrification in Scotland has proceeded in a different fashion than the rest of the UK especially in the 21st century. There is political commitment[1] to a substantial rolling programme of railway electrification from the Scottish government where transport is devolved.[1] [2] Transport Scotland and others have said "In Scotland, decarbonisation is spelt E-L-E-C-T-R-I-F-Y".[3] All parties in Scotland are vigorously campaigning for electrification. In January 2022, there were 2776 kilometres of track in Scotland, and 711 kilometres were electrified representing 25.3%.[4] [5] To meet these needs, the plan is to electrify on average 130 single track kilometres (STK) per year until 2035, although there has been some slippage in this target.[6] [7] [8] [9]

Twentieth century history

Much of the Glasgow suburban network was electrified by 1960 with the introduction of blue trains.[10] Electrified power lines began to appear at Glasgow Central station high-level platforms at the start of 1960s under British Railways. Firstly came 6.25 kV AC overhead power lines from the Cathcart Circle Line electrification scheme, which started on 29 May 1962.[11] This was followed by the 25 kV AC overhead-power-lines electrification of the Glasgow and Paisley Joint Railway and the Inverclyde Line to Gourock and Wemyss Bay, completed in 1967. The WCML electrification scheme from Weaver Junction to Glasgow was discussed in 1968 and a report issued,[12] and was completed in 1974 with squadron service starting on 6 May 1974.[13] [14] Progressive upgrading of the Cathcart Circle to 25 kV AC supply was started in 1974 and the whole of the route was upgraded later. The Ayr, Ardrossan and Largs lines were completed in 1986-1987.[15] The East Coast Main Line (ECML) was electrified in stages and reached Edinburgh in 1991. The branch to North Berwick was done at the same time.[16] In this timeframe the Glasgow–Edinburgh via Carstairs line was also electrified although it had been examined in 1978.[17]

Twenty-first century history

In Scotland, where transport is devolved to the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland has extended and continues to expand electrification.[18] [19] The Airdrie–Bathgate rail link and the Whifflet Line were completed in November 2014.[20] This is part of a larger plan that has seen many major routes in central Scotland electrified, including the main – route.[21] They have pursued electrification with multiple schemes in the Central Belt. All these have been 25kVAC, as in England and Wales. In September 2019, Transport Scotland announced the goal of having Scottish transport net carbon neutral by 2035.[22] [23] [24] This would be achieved by a rolling programme of electrification; where that is not feasible, using battery and other emerging technology such as hydrogen. Electrification to Stirling, and was originally part of Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP). Electrification was completed by 2019; it was carried out under the rolling programme of electrification, rather than as part of the EGIP programme. EGIP was an initiative funded by Transport Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government[25] to increase capacity on the main railway line between Edinburgh and Glasgow, with new, longer electric trains running by 2017 and scheduled for full completion in 2019.[26] It was expected to cost £742 million and delivered by Network Rail.

The Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition government announced this in 2006.[27] It was completed in October 2021 with the Glasgow Queen Street station modernisation.[28] [29] On 28 July 2020, Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson announced plans to phase out fossil fuel use on the railway network by 2035.[30] The plan would see most lines electrified, but suggests that intermittent electrification in difficult places may be implemented.[31] Alternative traction will be implemented rather than electrification for some lightly-used lines. These are the Far North Line, Kyle of Lochalsh Line, West Highland Line, and the southern portion of the Stranraer Line.[32] Other Scottish political parties support an accelerated programme. Transport Scotland has also published a list prioritising the projects and divided them into the categories of 1) in delivery, 2) in development, 3) under active consideration.[33] On 1 July 2022, Network Rail confirmed investment and planning for the electrical grid feeders to power the schemes.[34] [35] [36] Scotland electrification is using innovation to achieve its aims. Resiliency of the power supply is considered key and discontinuous electrification with Battery EMUs being used to achieve intermediate goals.[37] [38]

The HLOS- High Level Output Statement for Scotland for CP7 reaffirmed commitment to a rolling programme of electrification and other upgrades.[39] An invitation to tender was sent out on 29 November 2023 for electrification and associated works.[40]

Individual schemes

East Kilbride scheme

In early 2021 a start was made on the electrification scheme to East Kilbride and Barrhead.[49] The first electric train ran to Barrhead on November 7, 2023.[50]

Fife Circle Line

In June 2022 work commenced on the partial electrification of the Fife Circle Line.[51] This will involve extending the existing Edinburgh area electrification to Dalmeny, and an isolated area of electrification between Kirkcaldy, Lochgelly and Ladybank. This will allow the Fife Circle services to be operated by battery electric multiple units whilst minimising capital expenditure on infrastructure, in particular avoiding the major expense of electrifying the Forth Bridge. Complete electrification would be possible at some future date. The partial electrification was due to be completed by December 2025.[52] Timeline as follows:[53] There has been some slippage in these target dates.[54]

Borders Railway scheme

Transport Scotland has put decarbonisation and electrification, possibly partial, fairly high on its agenda and some planning and application work started on Borders electrification in 2022.[55] [56] The power supply capacity is highly used at the north end of the line though grid feeders are being upgraded.[57] To allow for this and ensure enough future capacity, a grid feeder is being installed at Tweedbank.[58]

Under active consideration

Future phases of Decarbonisation Action Plan[47]

See also

Further reading

. Christian Wolmar. On the Wrong Line: How Ideology and Incompetence Wrecked Britain's Railways. 2005. rev.. Aurum Press. London. 1-85410-998-7.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dennis . Gareth . 2019-05-22 . The sparks effect: remembering how and why railway electrification works . 2022-06-22 . Medium . en . 14 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210714155837/https://garethdennis.medium.com/the-sparks-effect-remembering-how-and-why-railway-electrification-works-c3e7d86827cc . live .
  2. Web site: Electrification programme Transport Scotland . 2022-06-21 . www.transport.gov.scot . 21 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220621205813/https://www.transport.gov.scot/projects/electrification-programme/electrification-programme/#:~:text=Of%20the%202,776%20km%20of,economic,%20social%20and%20environmental%20benefits. . live .
  3. Web site: Decarbonising Scotland's railway Rail Media . 23 September 2021 . 2022-06-22 . en-GB . 22 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193557/https://www.rail-media.com/decarbonising-scotlands-railway/ . live .
  4. Man . Kevin . Larkfield to East Kilbride Electrification Project (LEKE) - Through alignment design . Permanent Way Institute . 22 June 2022 . 22 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193600/https://www.thepwi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Journal-2022-01-Vol140-Pt1_Larkfield-to-East-Kilbride-Electrification-Project.pdf . live .
  5. Web site: Electrification programme Transport Scotland . 2022-06-22 . www.transport.gov.scot . 21 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220621205813/https://www.transport.gov.scot/projects/electrification-programme/electrification-programme/#:~:text=Of%20the%202,776%20km%20of,economic,%20social%20and%20environmental%20benefits. . live .
  6. Web site: DEM . David Shirres BSc CEng MIMechE . 2024-02-15 . Electrifying Scotland . 2024-02-19 . Rail Engineer . en-GB.
  7. Web site: Scotland sets out electrification ambitions . 2022-06-22 . www.modernrailways.com . 27 August 2020 . en . 22 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193603/https://www.modernrailways.com/article/scotland-sets-out-electrification-ambitions . live .
  8. Web site: Electrification of railways is the fast track to net zero in Scotland . 2022-06-22 . HeraldScotland . 25 August 2021 . en . 26 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210826000453/https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/19535933.electrification-railways-fast-track-net-zero-scotland/ . live .
  9. Web site: 2021-06-23 . Decarbonising Scotland's railway . 2022-06-22 . Rail Engineer . en-GB . 28 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210628010224/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/decarbonising-scotlands-railway/ . live .
  10. Web site: Glasgow Electric :: The Railways Archive . 2022-06-21 . www.railwaysarchive.co.uk . 21 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220621205737/https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=231 . live .
  11. Little . Stuart M. . December 1979 . Greater Glasgow's Railway Network . Scottish Transport . 33 . 2–12 . 0048-9808.
  12. Web site: April 1968 . Route Improvements Weaver Junction to Glasgow . Railway Archives . 22 September 2022 . 16 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220516164030/https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRB_WCML001.pdf . live .
  13. Book: Nock, O. S. . Electric Euston to Glasgow . 1974 . Allan . 0-7110-0530-3 . London . 2283378 . 22 June 2022 . 22 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193602/https://www.worldcat.org/title/electric-euston-to-glasgow/oclc/2283378 . live .
  14. Web site: Electric all the way: London to Glasgow . 22 June 2022 . 31 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211031213933/https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRLM_Elec002.pdf . live .
  15. Web site: The Rebirth of AyrLine: Electrification to Ayr / Ardrossan / Largs - 1986/1987 :: The Railways Archive . 2022-06-21 . www.railwaysarchive.co.uk . 21 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220621205746/https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=833 . live .
  16. Web site: 2018-01-11 . ECML: Electrification as it used to be – Rail Engineer . https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165146/https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/11/27/ecml-electrification-as-it-used-to-be/ . 2018-01-11 . 2022-06-22 .
  17. Book: Edinburgh - Carstairs electrification: project development paper . May 1978 . 22 June 2022 . 22 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193604/https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11185319 . live .
  18. Web site: ScotRail targets further electrification schemes . 2022-06-22 . www.railmagazine.com . en . 15 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210615154126/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/scotrail-targets-further-electrification-schemes . live .
  19. Web site: Hewitt . Sam . 2020-10-06 . Delivering a bigger, better railway for Scotland - The Railway Magazine . 2022-06-22 . en-GB . 19 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210619070216/https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/17345/delivering-a-bigger-better-railway-for-scotland-2/ . live .
  20. Heubeck . Peter . January 2023 . Resurrecting Railways: Lessons from two Scottish projects . Permanent Way Institute Journal . 141 . 1 . 34–42 . Permanent Way Institute.
  21. Web site: High-wire act . 2022-06-22 . www.railmagazine.com . en . 12 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210412011040/https://www.railmagazine.com/infrastructure/electrification/high-wire-act . live .
  22. News: Scotland to set 'faster' climate change target. Keane. Kevin. 2019-05-02. 2019-09-06. en-GB. 2019-08-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20190827162219/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-48123960. live.
  23. Web site: Protecting Scotland's Future: the Government's Programme for Scotland 2019-2020 - gov.scot. gov.scot. 2019-09-06. 2019-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20190906132649/https://www.gov.scot/publications/protecting-scotlands-future-governments-programme-scotland-2019-20/pages/5/. live.
  24. Web site: Scotland plans to decarbonise its railways by 2035. Global Railway Review. en. 2019-09-06. 2019-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20190906170728/https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/88028/scotland-decarbonise-railway-2035/. live.
  25. Web site: Strategic Transport Projects Review Edinburgh to Glasgow Rail Improvements . Transport Scotland government . 22 June 2022 . 22 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193603/https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/10070/ed-gla-rail-improvements-summary.pdf . live .
  26. Web site: EGIP - Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. www.egip.info. 22 June 2022. 8 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220308222510/http://www.egip.info/. live.
  27. Web site: It is surely time to jump-start electrification of our railways. HeraldScotland. 7 July 2012 . 22 June 2022. 7 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211107194039/https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13064417.surely-time-jump-start-electrification-railways/. live.
  28. Web site: Glasgow Queen Street redevelopment . www.scotrail.co.uk . . 3 May 2021 . 20 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200820144848/https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/glasgow-queen-street-redevelopment . live .
  29. News: First Minister marks completion of £120m Glasgow Queen Street rebuild . Scottish Construction Now . 5 October 2021 . 5 October 2021 . 5 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211005113549/https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/article/first-minister-marks-completion-of-120m-glasgow-queen-street-rebuild . live .
  30. Book: Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan : Transport Scotland.. 2020. Scotland. Scottish Government, Scotland. Transport Scotland. 978-1-911582-92-2. Glasgow. 1238497205. 22 June 2022. 22 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193606/https://www.worldcat.org/title/rail-services-decarbonisation-action-plan-transport-scotland/oclc/1238497205. live.
  31. Web site: Hooper . Paul . What the UK electrification network may look like in 2050 . The Permanent Way Institute.
  32. Web site: Ambitious plans to transform Scottish rail network unveiled - gov.scot. 2020-07-29. www.gov.scot. 29 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200729101107/https://www.gov.scot/news/ambitious-plans-to-transform-scottish-rail-network-unveiled/. live.
  33. Web site: Prioritisation of rail projects. 2021-03-16. www.transport.gov.scot. en. 16 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210316100559/https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/rail/prioritisation-of-rail-projects/. live.
  34. Web site: Massive investment energises Scotland's Railway electrification ambitions . 2022-07-01 . Network Rail Media Centre . english.
  35. Web site: First new feeder station of green investment programme . 2022-07-19 . Network Rail Media Centre . english.
  36. Web site: Scotland's Railway powering on with feeder station upgrades . 2022-11-08 . Network Rail Media Centre . english.
  37. Roden. Andy. November 2022 . Sherratt. Innovation in electrification . Modern Railways. Key Publishing. 79. 890. 73.
  38. Web site: September 2022 . ENHANCEMENTS DELIVERY PLAN Scotland Milestones Schedule July 2022 update . Network Rail.
  39. Web site: Scottish Ministers' High Level Output Specification (HLOS) - Control Period 7 - 2024 – 2029 Transport Scotland . 2023-02-07 . www.transport.gov.scot.
  40. Web site: Scotland's Railway - Scotland Electrification Framework - Notice of Upcoming Procurement [PIN] ]. 2023-11-30 . bidstats.uk.
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  48. Web site: Admin . 2022-08-19 . Borders Railway electrification bid revealed . 2024-06-27 . Midlothian View . en.
  49. Web site: East Kilbride Enhancements. 2021-03-15. Scotlands Railway. en-GB. 26 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210626193201/https://scotlandsrailway.com/projects/east-kilbride-enhancements/. live.
  50. Web site: Green for go with first electric train for Glasgow-Barrhead line . 2023-11-22 . Network Rail Media Centre . english.
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  53. Web site: Fife Electrification . 2022-06-23 . Scotlands Railway.
  54. Web site: DEM . David Shirres BSc CEng MIMechE . 2024-02-15 . Electrifying Scotland . 2024-02-19 . Rail Engineer . en-GB.
  55. Web site: Admin . 2022-08-19 . Borders Railway electrification bid revealed . 2024-06-27 . Midlothian View . en.
  56. Web site: 22/00547/SCR EIA screening opinion for partial electrification of borders railway Land At Borders Railway Newcriaghall Station to South West of Shawfair Station Shawfair Danderhall . 2024-06-27 . planning-applications.midlothian.gov.uk.
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  58. Web site: 2024-06-26 . Network Rail powers ahead with new feeder station at Tweedbank . 2024-06-27 . Border Telegraph . en.
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