http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Rail latest en Sat, 02 May 2026 10:46:30 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383883 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:57:45 +0000 Arellcat 383883@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've said it many times on here before, but tunnelling through the Pentlands really would open up some convenient transport corridors. And electric trains with multiple powered axles - as in, most of them - make gradients that much easier to deal with. These days we don't need fleets of hardworking GWR pannier tanks to spend their lives banking express trains, we just pile the railway up and down the hills. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383878 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:44:11 +0000 neddie 383878@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>what south-west Edinburgh could really do with is a rail link from Newtongrange to Curriehill via Loanhead/Straiton, Hillend and Bonaly</blockquote></p> <p>We should include Penicuik in that loop. What would the Swiss do? Why, they would tunnel through the Pentlands... (and it would be electrified) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383877 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:23:56 +0000 chdot 383877@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“Saving 5 minutes on those schedules could provide for something like 5 extra trains in each 2.5 hour peak time period, with a 10 minute service rather than 15.“</p> <p>Mmm as you say - “For the hell of it”</p> <p>Primary problem would be cost of rolling stock and servicing. </p> <p>Of course if you had serious road pricing that significantly disincentivised M8 (etc) travel, might be doable… </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383876 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:15:34 +0000 chdot 383876@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“what south-west Edinburgh could really do with is a rail link from Newtongrange to Curriehill via Loanhead/Straiton, Hillend and Bonaly.“</p> <p>Yes but</p> <p>(and before) Newtongrange Eskbank Shawfair Newcraighall Asda/Fort Kinnaird Niddrie Duddingston Cameron Toll Newington Blackford Morningside Slateford Kingsknowe Wester Hailes Curriehill (and beyond)</p> <p>Would be so much easier. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383875 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:57:19 +0000 chdot 383875@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“The problem is when it takes longer to get to the station than actually travelling on the train.“</p> <p>Yes </p> <p>And how far from stations travellers start and finish </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383874 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:30:38 +0000 Arellcat 383874@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>‘Saving’ a few minutes is largely pointless. Until the recent electrification, E-G trains were mostly slower than 30 years before (because of extra stops).</em></p> <p>For the hell of it I had a look yesterday at the train paths for EDB/GLQ via FKK, and there are something like 40 trains running each way during peak times, out of about 90 throughout the day. Saving 5 minutes on those schedules could provide for something like 5 extra trains in each 2.5 hour peak time period, with a 10 minute service rather than 15. I think the question isn't so much 'can you squeeze those trains through the Mound tunnels?' as 'can you get people on and off fast enough at Waverley and Queen Street?' In essence, you want to turn an inter-city service into something even more intensive like the London Underground.</p> <p><em>It seems unlikely that there are many people thinking ‘I’ll take the train when it only takes 40 minutes’.</em></p> <p>The problem is when it takes longer to get <em>to</em> the station than actually travelling on the train.</p> <p>I much prefer taking the train through to Glasgow with my bike, but hang it all, it's nearly an hour to Waverley if I walk/bus/walk, or 45-50 minutes cycling (with 10 minutes contingency for ticket machines and things), and then 45 minutes on the train. I could drive from home to Glasgow, say, Great Western Road, in a little over an hour, and that includes the traffic jams on the M8 around jct 16.</p> <p>It just occurred to me that what south-west Edinburgh could really do with is a rail link from Newtongrange to Curriehill via Loanhead/Straiton, Hillend and Bonaly. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383873 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:12:08 +0000 chdot 383873@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Like Arellcat (and others here) I am a ‘rail fan’. </p> <p>I therefore welcome (almost) any developments/improvements/investments. </p> <p>I’m more sceptical about the thinking and processes behind ‘plans’. </p> <p>‘Saving’ a <em>few</em> minutes is largely pointless. Until the recent electrification, E-G trains were mostly slower than 30 years before (because of extra stops). </p> <p>The new rolling stock added much needed extra passenger capacity AND bike spaces - which didn’t involve hanging!</p> <p>It seems unlikely that there are many people thinking ‘I’ll take the train when it only takes 40 minutes’. </p> <p>A reliable service every 15 minutes might encourage switching, but that no longer seems to be a priority. </p> <p>The current big project/investment is the Borders and Fife electrification. </p> <p>Whether this is on time or budget (£342m) seems unknown -</p> <p>“<br /> The timescales for delivery will be driven by the outcome of the Suburban Fleet procurement exercise, which has been announced.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://scotlandsrailway.com/projects/fife-electrification" rel="nofollow">https://scotlandsrailway.com/projects/fife-electrification</a></p> <p>The infrastructure for Fife has reached South Gyle. </p> <p><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55208630386_185d368e43_c.jpg"></p> <p>Whether it will ever be extended to Inverness is unknown. </p> <p>Chances of rational discussions of the value of improving this route v A9 seems minimal… </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383869 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:58:14 +0000 Arellcat 383869@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>At least they didn't try to propose shaving off 5 minutes on the Edinburgh/Glasgow via Falkirk High route.</p> <p>On the Shotts route there are currently only 10 trains each way covering the two peak time periods each working day, and it takes about 70 minutes on average, with between 5 and 9 intermediate stops. That pace seems pretty good to me. The EDB/GLQ via FKK at peak times already has to alternate between stops like Bishopbriggs, Lenzie, Polmont and Croy to maintain the speedy service.</p> <p>I think ScotRail would do well to promote the tickets that allow a break of journey, so that people know they can jump off at some intermediate station, visit places and see stuff, and know their next onward train isn't too far away.</p> <p>But yes, Edinburgh to Inverness taking 3 hours 45 min starts to feel interminably slow for the 188 miles. Yes, there are some tough bits along the route but it's only an average of 48mph using class 170s. The HSTs raise it to 54mph, a shade faster than the class 800s that come up from London and also have 8 intermediate stops. Accounting for speed restrictions, you'd need to get the Edinburgh to Inverness timing down to about 2 or 2.5 hours for something that acts like an express service.</p> <p>Mind you, the best express timings in the steam era were about 6 hours, and pre-war you generally had to allow 7 to 8 hours; in wintertime, BR considered getting up and down the country safely as more of a priority than minutes on the clock, and if you arrived an hour late, that was accepted. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383867 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:03:44 +0000 neddie 383867@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They really don’t have a clue about anything, do they?</p> <p>Why do we need to shave 5 minutes off Edinburgh-Glasgow, when we could shave half an hour off Edinburgh-Inverness? </p> <p>Dualling and electrifying the Highland mainline would be a start. Plus reinstating the many missing branches eg up to Aberfoyle and Calendar, Peebles to Berwick upon Tweed link, direct Perth link, etc </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383866 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:13:37 +0000 chdot 383866@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Labour plans to introduce a new express rail service between Edinburgh and Glasgow if it wins power at Holyrood. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/holyrood-elections-2026-labour-pledges-new-express-rail-service-between-edinburgh-and-glasgow-6571487" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/holyrood-elections-2026-labour-pledges-new-express-rail-service-between-edinburgh-and-glasgow-6571487</a></p> <p>Difficult to know how serious this sort of thing is given that SLab must know it won’t win the coming election. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383578 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 09:34:50 +0000 gembo 383578@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes, basically only the west half of the top level is open so only trains running from platforms 8 to 15 are operating out of central Carlisle train see to leave maybe platform 5 and slow train form edinburgh to glasgow via shottts is only going to west Calder. </p> <p>Note if accessing the station you have to go in the west entrance at Hope St via something called The Carriage Way. Which appears to have been an entrance for carriages. When station first built. </p> <p>Last month at CanoPY i left at 920 and caught the 930 to queen st and then made it to Platform 15 and the ayr train with seconds to spare- I cant see that working this time.</p> <p>I used to take the Carlisle train to Auchinleck sometimes as leaves 11.15 rather than 11.00 or 11.30 for the ayr train. The cycle from Auchinleck to Ayr via Ochiltree and Drongan is almost all downhill. Two small kickers of no real importance. Except one is linked to a Trysting Thorn with some link to Burns and the other goes up from Old King Coil’s Loch to a lovely bit of new tarmac that descends all the way to the Crem and then Dobbies. ALas the last mile or two is not for the faint hearted </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383576 Fri, 20 Mar 2026 23:19:50 +0000 LaidBack 383576@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Glasgow Central latest...<br /> the Shotts line seems to only have trains to West Calder?</p> <p><blockquote>Ayr to Glasgow Central – half-hourly, calling at all stations between Paisley Gilmour Street and Kilwinning<br /> Gourock to Glasgow Central – hourly, all stations<br /> Wemyss Bay to Glasgow Central – hourly, all stations<br /> Kilmarnock to Glasgow Central – half-hourly, all stations (integrated with Carlisle/South Ayrshire services)<br /> East Kilbride to Glasgow Central – half-hourly<br /> Lanark to Glasgow Central – hourly<br /> Due to a reduced number of platforms and restricted access, not all routes will be able to resume immediately.</p> <p>Low-level services at Glasgow Central, serving routes from Cumbernauld, Whifflet, Larkhall, and Motherwell to Dalmuir, Balloch, and Milngavie, have been running normally since March 11.</p> <p>The upper concourse will remain closed, with shops, facilities and some entrances still off-limits.</p> <p>Trains now run every 30 minutes between Ayr and Paisley, and hourly between Edinburgh and West Calder.</blockquote> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383573 Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:16:52 +0000 neddie 383573@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's a shame. The HSTs were spacious, comfortable, and smooth.</p> <p>With Voyagers being about the worst train in existence </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383548 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:28:37 +0000 Morningsider 383548@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/news/scotrail-announces-plans-to-replace-high-speed-trains">ScotRail announce</a> that the HST Inter7City fleet is to be replaced by Class 222 Meridians (a variant of the Voyager fleet) in late 2027. Six bike spaces on each set, so no change from current HST capacity.</p> <p>(As <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&amp;page=23#post-378298">predicted here</a> a year ago). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383387 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:28:32 +0000 LaidBack 383387@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just in case anyone missed this... From National... Glasgow Central closure from Union Street fire will go on another day at least.</p> <p><blockquote><strong>What trains are cancelled at Glasgow Central Station?</strong><br /> Here are all the trains which have been cancelled at Glasgow Central Station as a result of the fire.</p> <p>Edinburgh – Glasgow Central via Shotts/Carstairs<br /> Glasgow Central – Cathcart Circle<br /> Glasgow Central – Paisley Canal<br /> Glasgow Central – Newton<br /> Glasgow Central – Barrhead<br /> Glasgow Central – Neilston<br /> Glasgow Central – East Kilbride<br /> Glasgow Central – Ardrossan South Beach/Harbour<br /> These services have been cancelled in both directions.</p> <p>Here are services which have been amended:</p> <p> Glasgow – Gourock : Reduced to hourly. Operating Paisley Gilmour Street - Gourock, calling all stations.<br /> Glasgow – Wemyss Bay : Reduced to hourly. Operating Paisley Gilmour Street - Wemyss Bay (express between Paisley and Port Glasgow).<br /> Glasgow – Largs : Operating only Largs - Kilwinning.<br /> Glasgow – Lanark: Operating only Lanark - Motherwell.<br /> Glasgow – Kilmarnock : Operating only Kilmarnock - Barrhead.<br /> Glasgow – Ayr : Reduced to hourly. Operating Ayr - Paisley Gilmour Street, calling at all stations.<br /> Glasgow – Dumfries/Carlisle : Operating only Carlisle/Dumfries - Kilmarnock.<br /> Glasgow – Stranraer : Operating only Stranraer - Kilmarnock.<br /> A reminder, no trains are running from the high level today. Trains are passing through the low level but will not be stopping at Glasgow Central Station.</blockquote> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383209 Sat, 14 Feb 2026 20:53:24 +0000 MediumDave 383209@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@greenroofer. Ah, disappointing. I will continue to have to beat my rucksack into the narrow crevice </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=28#post-383208 Sat, 14 Feb 2026 16:54:39 +0000 LaidBack 383208@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On train to Pitlochry with change in Perth this afternoon as have an author event to go to at Pitlochry Theatre at 17.30.<br /> <ol type="1">• £31 off peak open return versus £0 on Ember<br /> • Journey time 2hrs 10mins vs 1hr 55mins*<br /> • Rail = Smoother and slower journey<br /> • Rail = Better views<br /> • Easier to type on train<br /> • Rail ticket harder to buy with pop up reminders interfering when you're just about to click 'pay'.<br /> • ScotRail site still has peak fares showing even though they don't exist for the journey I made<br /> • If you use Club 50 at a booking office you pay more (!) Online is 20% discount versus 10% using booking office. You do get tea for £1.25 if there's a trolley on train. You can't use LNER but they have cheap Advance Singles available before you board the train if bought at a booking office (!maybe online too but only one train a day from Perth!)<br /> • Train avoids Edinburgh Airport and the fractious roundabouts on the A8 and approaches to Queensferry crossing.<br /> • Ember now runs most e-buses via airport terminal as of now. Obviously this is quite stressful for their drivers as people are laden and tired. ScotRail dodged that market when the tunnel under the runway was abandoned. (Flood risk too) Gateway is the rail/tram interchange but is always quiet.</ol></p> <p>*Journey times vary. Rail can be faster at 1hr 35mins and Ember can be over 2 hours. A9 Dualling is factor now. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-383195 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:30:09 +0000 Greenroofer 383195@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@MediumDave Geoff Marshall (if you know, you know) has posted a video showing that the overhead luggage racks have not changed. The toilets have been upgraded though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-383190 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:03:27 +0000 chdot 383190@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scotrail-fares-to-be-frozen-for-the-next-year-5587759" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scotrail-fares-to-be-frozen-for-the-next-year-5587759</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-383163 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:34:29 +0000 MediumDave 383163@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cross country has suffered a lot from strike action which probably accounts for its low rating. That and when things go wrong on those long routes they go really wrong without any easy method to recurve. </p> <p>Hopefully the voyager refurb will have sorted out the stupidly narrow overhead luggage rack. The rumbly engines under the floor and toilet stench can be endured but that luggage rack design is an abomination </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-383161 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:32:02 +0000 Arellcat 383161@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have used XC trains a lot and I honestly don't agree with the "worst rated" epithet. The trains were tired, sure, but the service and punctuality was good.</p> <p>The irony of the class 80x Azuma fleet on LNER services is that bike storage is better on the Voyagers. On TPE, the class 802 (I think) trains have a flexible space with tip-up seats like the class 385s here do. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-383160 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:20:08 +0000 chdot 383160@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/watch-first-of-70-refurbished-voyager-trains-unveiled-by-britains-worst-rated-operator-crosscountry-5511214" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/watch-first-of-70-refurbished-voyager-trains-unveiled-by-britains-worst-rated-operator-crosscountry-5511214</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-383122 Sun, 08 Feb 2026 18:33:57 +0000 chdot 383122@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/08/government-on-track-to-lower-train-driver-minimum-age-to-18-in-great-britain" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/08/government-on-track-to-lower-train-driver-minimum-age-to-18-in-great-britain</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-382986 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:06:03 +0000 chdot 382986@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/unique-snow-shelter-removed-from-highland-rail-line-weeks-before-scotlands-heaviest-snowfall-for-years-5488857" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/unique-snow-shelter-removed-from-highland-rail-line-weeks-before-scotlands-heaviest-snowfall-for-years-5488857</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-382980 Sun, 25 Jan 2026 13:35:33 +0000 chdot 382980@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/waverley-set-to-overtake-glasgow-central-for-first-time-in-150-years-5488118" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/waverley-set-to-overtake-glasgow-central-for-first-time-in-150-years-5488118</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-382891 Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:43:38 +0000 chdot 382891@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“<br /> He said: “Network Rail's upcoming work is a vital stage in the Fife electrification project, paving the way for long-term improvements that will benefit customers for years to come. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25775483.buses-replace-trains-edinburgh-fife-25-january/" rel="nofollow">https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25775483.buses-replace-trains-edinburgh-fife-25-january/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-382889 Sun, 18 Jan 2026 22:28:38 +0000 Morningsider 382889@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The 2035 target for rail decarbonisation was binned in late 2024. The target is now 2045. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-382884 Sun, 18 Jan 2026 17:48:11 +0000 chdot 382884@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>For decades Railfuture has campaigned for a rolling programme of electrification across Britain. On 28 July 2020 the Scottish Government announced a large rail electrification programme by 2035 to achieve decarbonisation. This would have seen all seven cities in Scotland (Dunfermline has since become the eighth city) served by electric trains, following electrification in recent years up to Stirling and the remaining routes between Glasgow and Edinburgh. </p> <p>The map below shows the routes that were intended to be electrified by 2035. A word of caution, however. In 2008 an electrification map was produced and progress has been slower that it implied. Railfuture will be monitoring progress and challenge future Scottish governments if they rein back on the commitment for decarbonisation. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.railfuturescotland.org.uk" rel="nofollow">https://www.railfuturescotland.org.uk</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-382883 Sun, 18 Jan 2026 17:41:54 +0000 chdot 382883@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not the ‘power’ that’s the problem </p> <p>Rail infrastructure </p> <p>Cabling, transformers etc</p> <p>Notion is that UKG has not put enough money into NetworkRail</p> <p>NetworkRail may not have planned well enough or asked for enough money or both, or neither </p> <p>No idea where (if) SG fits into all this (the Lumo diesel issue, according to the article, is “The supply problems are around Crewe, and Acton in London”)</p> <p>Electrification of bits of Fife is currently under way</p> <p>Well, strictly speaking only Haymarket to Dalmeny </p> <p>Dates for the rest unknown </p> <p><a href="https://scotlandsrailway.com/projects/fife-electrification" rel="nofollow">https://scotlandsrailway.com/projects/fife-electrification</a></p> <p>Trains not yet ordered</p> <p>Britain is broken you know </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=20759&page=27#post-382882 Sun, 18 Jan 2026 16:59:32 +0000 LaidBack 382882@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>will be forced to use diesels for its new Stirling-London services because of a shortage of power on the line,</blockquote></p> <p>How can this still be the case? There is so much generation in Scotland surely the amount provided in overhead wires has enough for one or two extra trains? </p>