Scottish Electrification updates & discussion

[edwin_m]

Perhaps unrelated, but interesting nonetheless that the auto-transformer feeders for the southern section of the ECML (read: Welwyn 'B' to Hitchin) are all troughed...

Perhaps the pre-existing masts couldn't take the mechanical load, or might not do when they are changed from headspans to portals in future?

 

[jyte]

It's basically Mark 1 in galvanised steel rather than a combination of painted steel and copper components. If you want photographs, the Inverclyde Line was the main use of the system, though the section between Shields Road Junction and Paisley Gilmour Street was replaced about 10 years ago.

Thank you!

Just want to say it's utterly fantastic you've returned considering how knowledgeable you are.

 

[MidlandMainlie]

Philip Haigh has tweeted this map of Scottish electrification by 2035

 

[diamond chap]

"Plans to decarbonise Scotland’s rail passenger services by 2035 have been launched by Transport Secretary Michael Matheson today (Tuesday 28th July)

The Cabinet Secretary was speaking during a visit to ScotRail’s Shields Road electric fleet Depot where he unveiled Transport Scotland’s ‘Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan’.

The action plan is testimony to the Scottish Government’s determination to deliver on its Programme for Government (PfG) commitment to decarbonise passenger rail services and continue to reduce carbon emissions.

Through its contribution to decarbonising wider transport, and through modal shift to rail, this action plan supports the aims of the National Transport Strategy, and wider Scottish Government policy. It also seeks to remove diesel passenger trains from Scottish services, and secure significant benefits for rail freight over the next 15-25 years.

Preparatory work for the first electrification projects, on the East Kilbride and Barrhead lines, is already underway, with Anniesland/Maryhill and Borders routes also being progressed. Early work has also begun to assess how inter-city routes can be tackled to inform delivery programmes and funding decisions.

Mr Matheson said:

“The current covid-19 pandemic has been a challenging and difficult time across the globe. As we continue transition through the Scottish Government’s Routemap to Recovery it is clear we need to do all we can to boost the economy through green initiatives.

“While our Programme for Government commitment to publish our plans for decarbonising Scotland’s railways was rightly paused, I am now pleased we can share them. This is particularly important for the rail industry and its supply chain who are keen to see projects progress.

“Building on our recent strong track record of delivering electrification projects we have set out ambitious but achievable plans to decarbonise our rail passenger services by 2035, five years ahead of the UK target.”

Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway, said:

“Delivering on the Scottish Government’s bold and ambitious Rail Decarbonisation Action Plan is a top priority for Scotland’s Railway. We’re continually working to deliver a cleaner, greener railway for Scotland.

“Although rail is already a low-carbon mode of transport, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact ever further.

“The massive projects that have been delivered so far – the electrification of the Central Belt, new electric trains - mean more seats and faster journeys for our customers, as well as a rail service that is better for our environment. This plan will deliver even more for our passengers in the decades to come.

“It connects people with jobs, business with customers, tourists with destinations, and it’s delivering a railway of which we can be truly proud.”

David Clarke, Technical Director of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said:

“The Plan published today is very welcome and is an important step in the journey towards decarbonising the passenger railway in Scotland by 2035. The Plan sets out a clear focus on decarbonising the network through a rolling programme of electrification and investment in low carbon self-powered rolling stock, both of which the rail industry stands ready to deliver.

“We have also greatly valued the engagement Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government have had with the rail supply community in developing this strategy. The sector looks forward to working together to deliver a green railway network, for the benefit of Scottish passengers, freight users and the wider economy.”

Malcolm Brown, Chair, Rail Industry Decarbonisation Taskforce

“Decarbonisation of the UK economy is a challenge which requires coordinated planning and commitment from all sectors, including transport and specifically the rail sector. Last year, following extensive consultation, the Rail Industry Decarbonisation Taskforce’s recommendations as to how the rail industry would best be able to contribute to the national net zero emissions target were welcomed by the Minister for Rail. I am delighted to see that Transport Scotland’s rail decarbonisation plan builds on these recommendations and, indeed, adapts them to Scotland’s railway and wider circumstances, where there is the opportunity and the need to do so. We look forward to continued close cooperation throughout the rail industry to support rail decarbonisation throughout Great Britain.”

The plan looks to achieve its aims through further electrification and, for some routes, through the use of battery electric-powered trains and to work with developers of hydrogen fuel cell powertrains to accelerate their development and deployment in Scotland which is vital for the diversification of the economy here.

Transport Scotland has challenged the rail industry to work in partnership with them on this plan, providing real opportunity to drive innovation, create skilled and sustained employment, and contribute to inclusive and green economic growth."

https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/ambitious-plans-to-transform-scottish-rail-network-unveiled/

Link to plan:

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/47906/rail-services-decarbonisation-action-plan.pdf

 

[GLC]

I’m very excited to see this. Let’s hope we can stick to it for the next 15 years

 

[takno]

Philip Haigh has tweeted this map of Scottish electrification by 2035

Am I reading that wrong, or are they seriously suggesting electrifying through Kincardine?

 

[mcmad]

There is a current project looking at extending passenger services from Alloa to Kincardine, partially tied into the proposed Talgo factory which would extend the wires to Kincardine. Linking that to the Fife circle is pretty much a no brainer from a resiliance point of view as much as anything else.

 

[clc]

Pages 36-37 summarise the plans for each line: https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/47906/rail-services-decarbonisation-action-plan.pdf

Great to see so much full electrification planned, 130 single track kilometres per year until 2035.

 

[59CosG95]

Philip Haigh has tweeted this map of Scottish electrification by 2035

Well I can only sum up my feelings about the G&SW through Dumfries being wired like this...

 

[takno]

Pages 36-37 summarise the plans for each line: https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/47906/rail-services-decarbonisation-action-plan.pdf

Great to see so much full electrification planned, 130 single track kilometres per year until 2035.

Put like that it sounds almost achievable. I'm starting to think this might actually happen

 

[ABB125]

Very interesting, and a good move. Will this force the UK government to announce something similar for the rest of the country?
As for the route via Dumfries, they specifically state in the document that it will be a valuable diversionary route; that's the first time I've seen that justification used in an official document rather than speculatively on here!

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Very interesting, and a good move. Will this force the UK government to announce something similar for the rest of the country?

I'm sure the DfT Treasury will come up with some excuse for why they can't won't open up the purse strings.

As for the route via Dumfries, they specifically state in the document that it will be a valuable diversionary route; that's the first time I've seen that justification used in an official document rather than speculatively on here!

I guess that's because the WCML is a vital arterial link, which carries (under normal circumstances) significant freight traffic at all hours of the day along with the passenger service. And if you want freight operators to transition to defaulting to electric locos, you have to ensure that not only normal routes are electrified, but diversionary routes as well.

I don't think it's proposed so much for the resilience it offers passenger services (imagine being able to divert a Pendo/80x/HS2 unit without needing a Thunderbird, just like you can do with the West Midlands diversionary routes now) as it is for the potential for decarbonisation.

 

[AMD]

A good report with useful emphasis on the need for a rolling programme for cost and job/experience purposes.
Only fault I can pick is the reference to Glasgow to Paisley Gilmour Street electrification within the last 10 years, unless my memory has completely gone I remember being on 303s out that way in the early 80s!

 

[clc]

Only fault I can pick is the reference to Glasgow to Paisley Gilmour Street electrification within the last 10 years, unless my memory has completely gone I remember being on 303s out that way in the early 80s!

I think it’s a reference to the third track which was added.

 

[AMD]

Yes, it's probably someone getting confused by the scope of work, tho the report suggests just electrification of the route.

 

[385001]

Ambitious and very welcome.

Also interesting to see what looks like the Edinburgh South Sub and the immediate are east of Winchburgh Junction in red. Almond Chord possibilities?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Absolutely outstanding - Borders too

 

[snookertam]

Noticed that in line with suggestions on here, East Kilbride and Barrhead currently being scoped out, with early work on Borders too. As I mentioned above in an ideal world it would’ve been done when reopened, but the good thing is that future electrification (if not double tracking) was built into the reopening project so that will ideally keep costs down. I believe the GSW upgrades of the past few years (ie bridge replacements, viaducts etc) have also been done with a view to future electrification.

What really caught my eye was the ambition to electrify the far north line as far as Tain! Let’s see about that one...

 

[Put Kettle On]

Looks like Thornton Yard & Leith branch are in there as well.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

What really caught my eye was the ambition to electrify the far north line as far as Tain! Let’s see about that one...

Indeed.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Indeed.

Why - is there a very convenient potential Grid Feeder location in the general area?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Why - is there a very convenient potential Grid Feeder location in the general area?

There's 400kV at Beauly.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I noticed this on page 30 --

With ambitions of such magnitude regarding rail decarbonisation it is imperative that there is a relentless focus on cost and delivery efficiency.

All I can say is EXACTLY

 

[gingertom]

Noticed that in line with suggestions on here, East Kilbride and Barrhead currently being scoped out, with early work on Borders too. As I mentioned above in an ideal world it would’ve been done when reopened, but the good thing is that future electrification (if not double tracking) was built into the reopening project so that will ideally keep costs down. I believe the GSW upgrades of the past few years (ie bridge replacements, viaducts etc) have also been done with a view to future electrification.

What really caught my eye was the ambition to electrify the far north line as far as Tain! Let’s see about that one...

Levenmouth too. Here's hoping everything in the report is committed to and backed up with finance.

Some good news at last.

 

[clc]

Levenmouth too. Here's hoping everything in the report is committed to and backed up with finance.

Some good news at last.

Transport Scotland would have cleared the plan with Ministers so I’m pretty confident the government is committed.

 

[59CosG95]

As far as I can make out, the short northeastern spur of OLE from Inverness must be for the proposed station at Inverness Airport, or possibly Nairn (a short way up that way anyhow!).

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Design and development work will also be progressed in 2020 for the route from Dunblane to Perth.

All great news

 

[GRALISTAIR]

There's 400kV at Beauly.

As far as I can make out, the short northeastern spur of OLE from Inverness must be for the proposed station at Inverness Airport, or possibly Nairn (a short way up that way anyhow!).

So these go hand in hand. Whatever, Scotland is forward thinking - long may it continue.

 

[gingertom]

QUOTE
Design and development work will also be progressed in 2020
for the route from Dunblane to Perth. QUOTE

All great news

relocation of the electrification team from Cadder yard to Greenloaning (north of Dunblane) would tie in with this.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Inverness to Aberdeen

Though our plans are to electrify the entire route, the current programme, predicated on our average annual implementation rate of single track kilometres, indicates that we may only be able to electrify the section from Aberdeen to Inverurie by 2035. That will facilitate local cross-Aberdeen electric services. However, as new, innovative approaches develop, the pace of implementation and the industry’s capability to deliver may increase further and thus allow us to achieve full electrification of the route by 2035. As that increased pace is currently unknown our planning assumption is that alternative bi-mode traction, capable of achieving the speeds necessary to deliver our improved journey time aspirations, will be required to operate on the route as an interim measure with an expectation that the route, with an extension to Tain, will be fully electrified in the years shortly after 2035.

As I quoted/speculated a few pages back, bimodes maybe used in the interim