Network Rail has successfully delivered a major signalling upgrade between Portobello and Edinburgh Waverley, marking a significant improvement in reliability along one of Scotland’s busiest rail corridors.
Signalling is the backbone of railway safety and efficiency. It tells train drivers when it’s safe to proceed and when to stop, using a combination of trackside signals, ground-based monitoring systems, and specialist equipment in control centres. This technology ensures trains maintain safe distances and keeps the network running smoothly.
Over Christmas Day and Boxing Day, engineering teams commissioned new signalling equipment at Portobello Junction—a complex section of infrastructure east of Edinburgh Waverley Station. The work replaced systems that had been in service for more than 40 years, delivering a step-change in performance and reliability for passengers.
The upgrade forms part of a £32 million investment delivered by Network Rail over the past three years. In addition to installing new signalling equipment, the project renewed controls at Craigentinny depot, improving access for trains entering and leaving one of the busiest depots in eastern Scotland.
Commissioning was scheduled for the Christmas period, when the railway is closed on Christmas Day and passenger numbers are lower. This allowed engineers from Network Rail and Siemens to complete the complex upgrade safely and efficiently, minimising disruption.
Dan Holder, Head of Engineering and Asset Management for Network Rail Scotland, said:
“The Signalling system is our ‘hidden’ asset and is critical to how we run the railway. It keeps trains moving safely and efficiently, so maintaining and upgrading these systems is one of our most important responsibilities.”
“We’re constantly reviewing our infrastructure to identify where improvements will make the biggest difference for passengers. In this case, the equipment had reached the end of its life, so it was vital to replace it and take the opportunity to upgrade supporting infrastructure at the same time.
“These improvements will reduce the risk of faults and help deliver more reliable journeys across the route. It’s a significant investment in the performance of the railway and in the experience of the people who rely on it.”
Services through Portobello resumed as planned on Saturday, 27 December.
Image credit: Network Rail
