Cumbernauld line

UK operator Network Rail (NR) will start installing overhead power cables on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line this month as part of the Scottish Government-funded, £742m Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) to electrify the route.

The work will see delivery of faster, longer and greener trains for customers on the Edinburgh Waverley-Glasgow Queen Street line from next December.

NR engineers will start installing stanchions over the next six months to support the new overhead lines and stringing more than 150km of power cables between the two cities.

According to NR, most of the electrification will be carried out at night, but some late evening service alterations will be in place to help increase the time engineers have to complete this work.

EGIP programme director Rodger Querns said: "The Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme is a massive investment in Scotland’s railway that will help deliver long-lasting benefits for both individual passengers and the wider economy.

"Electrifying the line between our two biggest cities will allow us to run faster, longer, greener trains and cut journey times while increasing the number of seats available."

"Electrifying the line between our two biggest cities will allow us to run faster, longer, greener trains and cut journey times while increasing the number of seats available.

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"All the information that passengers will need to plan their journey during these improvement works is available on the ScotRail website and from National Rail Enquiries."

While the work is being carried out, some services into Glasgow Queen Street such as the Edinburgh, Stirling, Alloa and Dundee trains will be using diversionary routes, as well as have extended journey times.

Last November, NR has signed a £250m contract with Costain and Morgan Sindall to provide physical works on the EGIP. As part of the deal, Costain and Morgan Sindall were responsible for the electrification of main line between Scotland’s two biggest cities and route clearance works at Winchburgh Tunnel.

Additionally, the companies were also responsible for carrying out the rail infrastructure works at Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley stations and platforms extension works at Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow.


Image: Cumbernauld line – new ovehead power line stanchions. Photo: courtesy of Network Rail