They Do It Different In Scotland (2)

The Grand Design

Perhaps the map above needs more careful examination, especially as it is a bit thin on labels.  The GREEN and the RED sections of the Scotrail network are fully electrified; to which we can add the upcoming East Kilbride and Barrhead routes shown by the little "hook" above Kilmarnock.

The PURPLE and ORANGE represent longer term plans being "by 2035" and sometime "after 2035" respectively.

We see routes to Aberdeen and Inverness due by 2035 ...

... and the route via Elgin thereafter. Although not detailed on the map, the later work looks like it will take the overhead as far as Tain on the Wick/Thurso route. 

It is not yet clear what will power trains to the far north but, as we shall see, Bi-Modes (overhead and battery) are being ordered.

South of Glasgow we see the former Glasgow and South Western Railway route via Kilmarnock and Dumfries due in the purple phase, followed by an orange extension from Ayr to Girvan. Trains to Stranraer would run on batteries south of Girvan, fbb presumes.

Oban, Fort William, Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh are currently served by class 158 diesels which are showing their age! Again, Scotrail may well be gambling on Bi-Modes.

Which leaves Edinburgh. 

If you believe the map, trains to North Berwick will not be fully electrified ...

... see the little narrow squiggle north of the name "Edinburgh". But fbb will reveal a secret to the cartographer ...

... it has had the electric since 1991, although they had to use some old stock from England (Oh the shame of it!) for the first few years!

Hitherto, Edinburgh is well electrified to the west, as we saw in yesterday's blog, but north across the Forth Bridge for the Fife Circle and Leven ...

... and south to Tweedbank remain diesel hauled.

So Fiona has just announced funding for the DARK BLUE bits on the map.

Note the purple bits are part of the Aberdeen and Inverness schemes as illustrated earlier. 

For those less in tune with Scottish geography here are the Fife Circle and Leven routes ...

... with trains via either Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath OR via Kirkcaldy plus the recent extension to Leven.

The Tweedbank services along the former "Waverley" route are somewhat simpler, both on the map ...

.... and in the timetable!

Again, as Fiona revealed (yesterday's blog), work is already under way and is due to be completed in a few (?) short years.

But the press release for the electrification was linked (by the press) ... .

... to an order for the new trains.

These new trains would take power from the wires and, when the wires were not present, use the batteries. They would need to be hefty batteries to drive a whole train full of happy commuters! Some articles have appeared scaremongering about the safety of such big batteries ...

... others are concerned about the environmental and financial cost of battery replacement and recycling. fbb certainly shares concerns about the environmental problems!

But fbb's fear, on seeing both projects (wiring and new trains) linked together, was that the Fife and Borders plans might involve only partial electrification with the extremities of the newer lines being bereft of overhead and reliant on the huge U2s under the seats!

But it appears that battery power will only be used on these routes for relatively shot distance on their trajectory to Fife. The problem is the Forth Bridge.

When Benjamin Baker designed the bridge (opened in 1890), under the watchful eye of John Fowler, he shortsightedly failed to take account of the possibility of future overhead electrification of the route!

There is no room for the wires! 

Apparently it would cost too much to jack the whole bridge up about one metre higher above track level; or, indeed, to lower the trackbed by a similar amount. 

fbb has obtained an exclusive photo of Hamish McSporran of Notwork Rail confirming that "jacking up" the top half of the bridge was a non-starter.

Pity!

fbb had a coach driving friend who, whenever questioned about a difficult drive along the narrow roads of the Isle of Wight, would advise, "Just take a run at it and you'll be OK!" 

fbb understands that such a plan is not entirely ideal for crossing the catenary-cancelled Forth Bridge by electric train.

So batteries it will be!

Your chubby traveller has ridden to Tweedmouth and back but has never travelled via Dunfermline and has yet to visit the Leven branch. 

Perhaps Mrs fbb would like a nice holiday in Edinburgh?

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Puzzle Picture

Its is obviously fake ...

... even the on-line note suggests that "the slope is exaggerated". fbb thinks that his adjustment is more realistic.

The item on-line does not say where it is, but it looks like the Hardknott pass. Maybe on the corner below?

Compare the landform upper left in the colour pictures with the back-and-white postcard shot. 

Coaches are now advised not to use Hardknott!

For those happier with the old money, 30% is a scary 1 in 3. That specific slope is only for a short section, but it is steep.

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 Next Red And Railway blog : Friday 12 Sept