City-to-Alloa rail line re-opens
The railway line in Alloa reopened at the start of this week after the completion of a multi-million pound project to prepare the line for electric trains.
Hundreds of engineers worked for four weeks to install overhead power equipment required to introduce new electric services. A replacement bus service was in place between Alloa and Stirling throughout this period.
The work, which is part of a Scottish Government-funded programme to electrify lines throughout the central belt, started on Saturday, March 17.
More than 200 masts and supporting cantilevers have been installed along with overhead power lines.
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 worked around-the-clock to complete this complex programme as quickly as possible in what were, at times, challenging weather conditions.
“We understand the inconvenience these works cause to some passengers and residents and we appreciate the patience they have shown while we delivered this vital element of our electrification programme.”
The project is part of the wider programme to electrify the lines linking Stirling, Alloa and Dunblane to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Once complete next year the electrification should mean reduced times between Glasgow and Edinburgh, more seats on services, and better air quality and less noise for those who live and work near the railway.