East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[59CosG95]

My curisity was awakened by this. Zoomed in on the photo as uploaded unfirtunatley the quality was quite poor, couldn't really make out where the insulators are positioned, poor from my phone camera. So took a trip out with telephoto equiped camera so a good bit more darail available. Here are the results. Ill leave the comments out and will appreciate knowledgeable ones

Worth noting that the horizontal beams on the trial cantilevers nearest the camera are both horizontal; the perspective makes it appear as if one is too low and the other too high.

The assembly seems to have good insulating properties from a first glance: the insulators, previously at the mast, are now at the under-beam drop tube (for the reg arm) and the catenary support.

Note also the perspex (or similar) strip over the long beam where the short beam's catenary goes over the top - this to me is reminiscent of the rubber "bird mats" used on 1960s-era portals where the catenaries went over the boom to prevent (or at least, minimise the likelihood of) a feathered friend accidentally earthing itself.
It's probably more likely to be just for general electrical clearance checks though.

 

[OB23Gone]

Going up to EK passing through Busby it looked as though there were some wires In Over the New Bridge.

Dropped by on the way back and was surprised to find that that was indeed the case. So from Friday From Half Way To Busby They have got there. The wiring on the Down Line is actually In Situ to the Tensioners at The Busby Cross-over. On The Up Side I think that maybe the plan to do likewise today. Almost expecting to see wires over The White Cart on the next couple of days​

 

[MadMac]

My curisity was awakened by this. Zoomed in on the photo as uploaded unfirtunatley the quality was quite poor, couldn't really make out where the insulators are positioned, poor from my phone camera. So took a trip out with telephoto equiped camera so a good bit more darail available. Here are the results. Ill leave the comments out and will appreciate knowledgeable ones

Another fascinating set of photos, thanks!

Not my field of expertise (I’m just a retired Signal Engineer), but the thing that jumped out at me is that there’s no apparent means of lateral adjustment for “stagger”. No doubt some of our more OHL-conversant members will be along to comment in the near future.

It seems to have been a fairly mild winter in East Kilbride terms, which probably explains the rapid progress.

 

[zwk500]

Not my field of expertise (I’m just a retired Signal Engineer), but the thing that jumped out at me is that there’s no apparent means of lateral adjustment for “stagger”. No doubt some of our more OHL-conversant members will be along to comment in the near future.

Also not an expert, or even an engineer, but from the way the attachments are fixed to the horizontal bar it suggests to me that either the bar has a slot on the underside and the attachments clamp onto it exactly where required, or bolt into discrete holes along the length. Stagger can then be achieved by moving the final attachment, flipping it around so the registration arm faces alternate ways, or by using the curvature of the track to naturally take the wire across as the wire runs straight from arm to arm.

Somebody with more knowledge will be able to confirm or correct me.

 

[d9009alycidon]

I hope the local copper pixies aren't aware of all that unenergised copper!

 

[Southsider]

Going up to EK passing through Busby it looked as though there were some wires In Over the New Bridge.

Dropped by on the way back and was surprised to find that that was indeed the case. So from Friday From Half Way To Busby They have got there. The wiring on the Down Line is actually In Situ to the Tensioners at The Busby Cross-over. On The Up Side I think that maybe the plan to do likewise today. Almost expecting to see wires over The White Cart on the next couple of days​

I’ve seen the rail/road lorry that carries the reels of wire going up and down through Giffnock quite frequently over the last few days so getting through the stock quickly as you say.

 

[OB23Gone]

Today 1st April a quick Summary of advancements as roundabout 2-3pm. The Crossover just before Busby station, EK side, looked to my untrained eye to have been fully wired. The Zeck Wiring Unit was stopped just short of the White Cart Viaduct and wiring was being run back to the Crossover. This was on the down side. There was a MEWP on the Clarkston side of the Viaduct and the Team were turning the arms over the track in preparation to take the wires towards there. A couple of conversations 1 yielded that they were looking to get as much done as possible to get through Clarkston possibly on both up and down lines. 2 at Giffnock it was hopeful that the wires would be going there on Thursday & Friday. Passing over the Clarkston bridge at 4pm there was a MEWP on track between the road and pedestrian foot bridge. Also at Giffnock the old footbridge has been removed, which I wasn’t aware of, but the steps, only, on the new one will be brought into use in a matter of weeks. Sorry have forgotten the actual date given. The wiring progress seems to be going at a very good pace. Just a couple of pictures from today as photo opportunities very limited on that stretch of the embankment

Wed 02-04-25 Update. Except for 2 I’ll let the pictures do the Talking. In No 7 The Live & Catenary Wires are Close together as they pass Fairly Close to the U/S of the FB. In No. 9 Couldn’t Pick out where the wires actually terminated. On the way home drove under Sutherland Drive Bridge and Looked back Towards Clarkston but there was no sign of any, That was at roughly 1530 so maybe a good amount more has been installed since then.

 

[MadMac]

Wed 02-04-25 Update. Except for 2 I’ll let the pictures do the Talking. In No 7 The Live & Catenary Wires are Close together as they pass Fairly Close to the U/S of the FB. In No. 9 Couldn’t Pick out where the wires actually terminated. On the way home drove under Sutherland Drive Bridge and Looked back Towards Clarkston but there was no sign of any, That was at roughly 1530 so maybe a good amount more has been installed since then.

That last picture is quite fascinating: someone decided that they would go to the trouble of putting a walkway for Drivers at the former G 658R signal which was moved from the EK end of Clarkston station at some point, despite it being incapable of displaying a Red aspect and consequently having no phone…..

 

[sannox]

That last picture is quite fascinating: someone decided that they would go to the trouble of putting a walkway for Drivers at the former G 658R signal which was moved from the EK end of Clarkston station at some point, despite it being incapable of displaying a Red aspect and consequently having no phone…..

Is it not a place for signal technicians to stand?

 

[Railsigns]

That last picture is quite fascinating: someone decided that they would go to the trouble of putting a walkway for Drivers at the former G 658R signal which was moved from the EK end of Clarkston station at some point, despite it being incapable of displaying a Red aspect and consequently having no phone…..

This signal is GB5144, and it did have a phone! Additional phones were provided on the double-track part of the East Kilbride line to compensate for the inability to use track circuit operating clips in an axle counter area that didn't yet have GSM-R.

 

[MadMac]

This signal is GB5144, and it did have a phone! Additional phones were provided on the double-track part of the East Kilbride line to compensate for the inability to use track circuit operating clips in an axle counter area that didn't yet have GSM-R.

Good grief, someone actually thought something out!

 

[sheeldz]

While there is access, it’s not exactly level.

I think the goal is always to be "step free" and the two step free access routes are valid, in that respect.

I actually drove past this bridge coming up the M6/M74 a few weeks ago - was clearly that Clarkston one, because it had no lifts!

 

[Southsider]

There are wires up on the EK bound line between Giffnock and Clarkston.

 

[OB23Gone]

Burnfield Cottages To Clarhston UP Line side Has Been Wired

My curisity was awakened by this. Zoomed in on the photo as uploaded unfirtunatley the quality was quite poor, couldn't really make out where the insulators are positioned, poor from my phone camera. So took a trip out with telephoto equiped camera so a good bit more darail available. Here are the results. Ill leave the comments out and will appreciate knowledgeable ones

Had it confirmed today that there are 4 of the masts with the 2 booms fitted on EK Line near to the SPL Compound adjacent to Old Hairmyres Station. They are indeed the only ones in GB. Yes being used in The EU

Last Section For Wiring. Todays work has only left From The Robslee Drive SPL Compound/ Burnfield Cottages Through Thornliebank Station To The Branch Temporary Run Of At Busby Junction. Finally the Height, Stagger etc to be completed. NO Doubt much more still involved for final adjustment. If anyone with the Knowledge could fill in the info it would be appreciated. Todays Pic from Burnfield Road.

 

[hux385]

It seems like they are making really good progress. My one concern is that the park and ride at the new Hairmyres station still looks like there is a lot to do. Should it be quite a quick job to install the car park and access roads? Do we think it will be ready for when the line reopens in May?

 

[EMU303]

Broadly what remaining work is scheduled from reopening in May until full project completion in December?

 

[MatthewHutton]

Clarkston station footbridge. Like others, I’m surprised they didn’t go for lifts. While there is access, it’s not exactly level.

View attachment 177534

Ramps can’t go out of service and don’t need servicing particularly. They are actually a pretty good option - especially in rural areas.

It would be much better for every station in the country to have a ramp than 20% to have lifts - especially as I am sure the very biggest ones do have lifts already.

 

[hux385]

Ramps can’t go out of service and don’t need servicing particularly. They are actually a pretty good option - especially in rural areas.

It would be much better for every station in the country to have a ramp than 20% to have lifts - especially as I am sure the very biggest ones do have lifts already.

The new entrance should also make access to platform 2 (East Kilbride bound) much easier and is arguably a better investment as it shortens the route to the car park. There is also the footbridge from the car park which is ramped and is directly next to the station. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see lifts too, but I think the new entrance is more important.

I'm not too sure about Busby though - I think lifts could have been a useful addition here?

 

[s55823ewj]

The new entrance should also make access to platform 2 (East Kilbride bound) much easier and is arguably a better investment as it shortens the route to the car park. There is also the footbridge from the car park which is ramped and is directly next to the station. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see lifts too, but I think the new entrance is more important.

I'm not too sure about Busby though - I think lifts could have been a useful addition here?

Totally agree about lifts being a very good idea at Busby, there's no good disabled access across the railway anywhere near there. I'm guessing they were omitted because of lack of space.

 

[OB23Gone]

Totally agree about lifts being a very good idea at Busby, there's no good disabled access across the railway anywhere near there. I'm guessing they were omitted because of lack of space.

I put a note with the Busby Bridge Photos as Follows, The Structural Dimensions and layout of the Footbridge supports are such that they will marry up with any future need for Lifts. So NR have built in planned & designed in advance that that this may well happen. One local said that the access that the footway under the bridge does not meet standards required for disabled wheel chairs. I have never walked through that way, only driven. I certainly wouldn't want to..

 

[MadMac]

I put a note with the Busby Bridge Photos as Follows, The Structural Dimensions and layout of the Footbridge supports are such that they will marry up with any future need for Lifts. So NR have built in planned & designed in advance that that this may well happen. One local said that the access that the footway under the bridge does not meet standards required for disabled wheel chairs. I have never walked through that way, only driven. I certainly wouldn't want to..

There’s no footpath on the station side of the road under the bridge, unless one was added in conjunction with the bridge replacement. I think the EK-bound platform is now signalled bi-directionally, which would let a wheelchair user coming from the EK direction get to that side - similar arrangements are in place at Montrose and were in place at Dalwhinnie before the incident with the crossover.

 

[Southsider]

Wires under the Clarkston road bridge. I assume final adjustments have still to be made.

 

[OB23Gone]

I put a note with the Busby Bridge Photos as Follows, The Structural Dimensions and layout of the Footbridge supports are such that they will marry up with any future need for Lifts. So NR have built in planned & designed in advance that that this may well happen. One local said that the access that the footway under the bridge does not meet standards required for disabled wheel chairs. I have never walked through that way, only driven. I certainly wouldn't want to..

With HGVs and bus's going past there I wouldn't feel comfortable there and certainly in a wheelchair

 

[alxndr]

Worse would be trying to cross the road to get to the pavement. I don’t even like pulling out of the station car park in a vehicle much.

 

[OB23Gone]

GOOG FRIDAY GOOD NEWS. THORNLIEBANK ROAD BRIDGE IS SET TO REOPEN. FENWICK RD TRAFFIC TO BE WELL REDUCED

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The relocated Hairmyres station is expected to open in late May, as reported in The Record.

Is that date still on line to be met?

 

[OB23Gone]

Is that date still on line to be met?

Not heard otherwise. ORR paid a visit yesterday 9/4

 

[Scotrail88]

GOOG FRIDAY GOOD NEWS. THORNLIEBANK ROAD BRIDGE IS SET TO REOPEN. FENWICK RD TRAFFIC TO BE WELL REDUCED

Where did you see this?

 

[s55823ewj]

New Google Earth aerial images have been released from the 15th of March 2025. The images seem to be only on Google Earth Pro right now so I'll leave here are a few screenshots of the works on the railway line. The new images stop before East Kilbride station so no updates there.

 

[OB23Gone]

Past by today Sat 12th and there was an Asphalt lorry which had just left the site with another one waiting. Really gearing up for an early completion date within the 14month closure. Some pictures from Friday 11th.

Good Friday initial opening day though has been moved out slightly to after the Holiday weekend