15.03.18
Multimillion-pound Alloa line electrification works begin
Major upgrade work on the Stirling-Alloa route is set to begin this weekend.
Hundreds of engineers will work over 16,000 hours during the four-week works to deliver a multimillion pound upgrade to prepare the Alloa line for electrification.
The work forms part of the Scottish government-funded programme to electrify lines throughout the central belt, and will take place from 17 March until 16 April.
Over the four weeks, engineers will install 261 masts and supporting cantilevers, and string overhead power cables along the six miles of the route between Stirling to Alloa.
The project is part of the wider programme to electrify the lines linking Stirling, Alloa and Dunblane to Glasgow and Edinburgh, which will allow many services to run electric class 385 trains, which Network Rail says will offer a better experience and reduce some journey times from Stirling to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
It will also mean more seats on services between Alloa, Dunblane, Bridge of Allan, Stirling and Edinburgh, and less noise and improved air quality for those living and working near the railway.
Paul Reilly, Network Rail programme manager, said: “Electrification will transform travel across the central belt of Scotland and is part of our commitment to delivering the best railway Scotland has ever had.
“Our engineers will be working around-the-clock to complete this complex programme as quickly as possible.”
Top image: ScotRail
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