An 18-day closure of the Fife circle allowed Network Rail to deliver bridge reconstruction, overhead line foundations and signalling upgrades in one block, advancing the £311.5m scheme to electrify 118km of railway and introduce battery-electric trains.
Network Rail has completed engineering work in Fife that could have taken up to six months of weekend closures, by closing sections of the Fife circle for 18 days as part of the route’s electrification.
The closure ran from 10 to 27 October, allowing engineers to work around the clock to prepare the route for overhead electric wires that will power new battery-electric trains. The work is part of a £311.5m Scottish Government investment to electrify 118km of railway in Fife and introduce the new trains, which are expected to reduce reliance on diesel and provide more reliable, comfortable and sustainable journeys.
Bridges rebuilt to create clearance for overhead wires
Bridges at Bennochy Road in Kirkcaldy, Muriespot near Coaltown of Balgonie and Main Street in Thornton were demolished, and work began to rebuild them at a greater height to create space for the overhead wires. A total of 29 concrete beams were installed as part of the new bridge structures.
Teams also installed more than 200 foundations and 20 steel structures for the overhead wires, as well as four new masts on the Leven line. More than 209,000 square metres of vegetation was cleared from beside the railway, and modifications were made to the platforms at Cardenden Station.
Having the railway closed gave us the chance to do several big jobs at once rather than returning over a series of weekends.”
Signalling upgrades around Burntisland
Signalling equipment, which helps control the safe movement of trains, was upgraded around Burntisland, with 26 pieces of older equipment replaced. Further upgrades were also completed between North Queensferry and Kirkcaldy.
Michael McArthur, project manager at Network Rail Scotland, said: “It’s been an incredibly busy 18 days, and our teams have done a fantastic job delivering such a huge amount of work, including working through Storm Boelo and other spells of difficult weather.”
He added: “Having the railway closed gave us the chance to do several big jobs at once rather than returning over a series of weekends. That has helped us make real progress towards bringing battery-electric trains to Fife.”
He acknowledged the disruption to passengers and communities, adding: “There’s a lot more still to do, but what’s been achieved over these 18 days brings us another step closer to a quieter, greener and more reliable railway for Fife.”
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