Preparatory work for the electrification of the Fife Circle railway line in Scotland is about to get underway.

The line between Haymarket and Dalmeny will be transformed to accommodate quieter, more environmentally friendly electric trains thanks to an investment of £55million from the Scottish Government. In total, 25 single track kilometres (STKs) of the railway will be electrified by December 2024.

In the first phase of work, piles will be sunk for the foundations of masts that will carry overhead wires up to the Forth Bridge. Subsequent phases of work will see partial electrification of a further 104 STKs so that Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMUs) can replace life-expired diesel units. The ‘partial’ electrification approach will achieve a reduction in carbon emissions, and reduce the ongoing net cost to the taxpayer of operating the railway at an earlier point.

Contractors Scottish Powerlines (SPL) will shortly begin on-site activities, including piling and constructing steelwork foundations to support the overhead power masts.

Scottish Government Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “It’s great news that the first phase of the Fife electrification project is getting underway as this will make a significant difference to passenger and freight services in the future.”

“Delivery of the Fife electrification project will support introduction of new rolling stock through partial electrification of the route.”

“It will also help towards the delivery of our Rail Decarbonisation Action Plan which will see removal of all diesel trains on passenger services by 2035.

“The development work also being progressed on Borders electrification and on procuring new rolling stock shows we are fully focussed on rail decarbonisation. Our commitment is securing jobs in the rail design and delivery sector, as well as providing a stream of work for the supply chain.”

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway said: “We’re working hard alongside the Scottish Government to bring the benefits of electrification to communities across Scotland.

“The Government has set an ambitious target to decarbonise our railway and projects such as the electrification of the Fife Circle – starting with the line connecting Fife to Edinburgh, will be key to delivering on that commitment.

“We look forward to delivering further investment in Scotland’s Railway and significantly improving the quality of service for the communities it serves. This is one of a number of projects that will create an even greener, cleaner, and more reliable railway for Scotland.”