North Clyde Railway Set For Major £20m Power Line Upgrade

A £20m programme has started to renew overhead power line equipment on the North Clyde routes, the railway where Scotland’s electrification story began.

The work will take place on sections of the North Clyde lines, which link Helensburgh, Balloch and Milngavie with Glasgow’s west end and the city’s low-level stations. The route forms part of the busiest suburban rail network outside London and remains one of the most important parts of Scotland’s railway system.

The North Clyde electrification was switched on in 1960 and is regarded as the starting point for modern electric rail travel in Scotland. More than six decades later, the network it helped pioneer continues to influence rail investment, with electric services now operating on routes including East Kilbride and Barrhead, and further electrification progressing in areas such as Fife and the Scottish Borders.

Network Rail says much of the original North Clyde equipment is now more than 65 years old and approaching the end of its operational life. Renewal work is therefore being carried out to help maintain the safety and reliability of services on a route used by thousands of passengers every day.

Early-stage work has already begun, including refurbishment of the equipment that supports the overhead wires. This includes cantilevers and other components that hold the wiring system in place.

The most intensive phase of the project, involving replacement of the wires themselves, is planned to take place during the Christmas and New Year periods over the next three years. Network Rail says the timing has been chosen because passenger numbers are lower and line closures can be managed with less impact on travel.

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said:

“This stretch of railway was where electrification began in Scotland and marked a real turning point. It changed how people travelled around Glasgow and helped shape the network we use today. We know how vital this area is to the railway as a whole. A single issue on the North Clyde can quickly affect services well beyond Glasgow, which is why this work is being planned now rather than waiting for more serious failures and wider disruption later. This project is about looking after the railway that people rely on every day. By renewing it now, we are helping to make sure it continues to serve passengers and communities long into the future.”

ScotRail said the North Clyde routes remain a key part of the national network, connecting communities across a wide area from Argyll and Bute through to West Lothian.

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said:

“The North Clyde routes are a vital part of Scotland’s Railway, connecting communities from Argyll and Bute right through to West Lothian, supporting thousands of journeys every day. This investment by Network Rail will help improve the long-term reliability of the infrastructure that keeps our electric trains moving. We know that some journeys will look a little different when the main body of work takes place later this year, which is why we’ll be working closely with Network Rail to keep customers updated, and make sure they have the information they need to plan ahead and travel with confidence.”

Image: Network Rail