The latest part of £63.3m Scottish Government investment project to further reduce the carbon footprint of Scotland‘s mainline between Glasgow and Barrhead has been announced by Network Rail.

Successful test runs by a Class 380 train from 15mph up to 75mph were carried out overnight on Wednesday 7 November and through into Thursday 8^th on the newly commissioned electrified lines between Glasgow Central and Barrhead station. Further testing will be carried out on the line ahead of the introduction of the ScotRail electric passenger services next month.

As part of the works, engineers have renewed 130 meters of track, installed 360 stanchions and structures supporting over 66,000 meters of overhead power lines over the past two years and bridges along the route have undergone major improvements, with Nithsdale Road bridge at Strathgungo being completely replaced to make way for the new overhead lines. Kennishead and Priesthill and Darnley stations saw bridge sidewalls raised to make them compliant for electrification of the railway, whilst Barhead station itself has seen a significant amount of work to allow it to accommodate the longer four-carriage electric trains, with a nine metre extension to platform 3, which included the movement of the current buffers and rebuilding of access paths.

The Class 380 electric trains will provide a better travelling experience for passengers and will reduce noise and improve air quality for local residents. As previously reported on Rail Advent some timetable changes will be introduced so, as always, do check before you travel https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Paul Reilly, Network Rail’s senior programme manager, said: “Running the test train on the Glasgow-Barrhead line is a major milestone for everyone involved in delivering this project over the last two years.

“The test train successfully demonstrated that the overhead equipment is operating as it should, ahead of ScotRail introducing Class 380 electric services for passengers on to the route in December.

“Electric trains are lighter, cleaner and quieter than their diesel equivalents and cause less wear and tear to the track.

“More reliable, greener trains are better for our customers and environment – helping Scotland’s Railway deliver our contribution to a low carbon economy.”

David Simpson, ScotRail’s service delivery director, said: “This trial was a massive step towards the introduction of electric passenger trains on the recently electrified Barrhead line, and paves the way for more sustainable, eco-friendly journeys.

“The introduction of electric Class 380 trains on the Barrhead line will ensure that customers along the route benefit from a more comfortable and reliable service. We hope this will encourage more people to choose rail travel instead of using the car, particularly during our off-peak all day fares trial.”

The Glasgow-Barrhead project forms part of the Scottish Government’s rolling programme of decarbonisation and follows on from the electrification of the main Edinburgh – Glasgow line, the Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa route and the Shotts line, with 325 single track kilometres of electrified railway delivered across Scotland over the last decade.