Type Heavy rail Status Operational Owner Network Rail | System National Rail Operator(s) Abellio ScotRail Locale Glasgow | |
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Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ⁄2 in) Rolling stocks British Rail Class 156, British Rail Class 158 | ||
First electric train in passenger service on the cumbernauld line
The Cumbernauld Line is a suburban railway line linking Glasgow to Falkirk via Cumbernauld in Scotland. Since May 2014, the newly electrified track between Springburn and Cumbernauld has become an extension of the North Clyde network.
Contents
First electric train to run on the cumbernauld line
Services
All passenger services on this Line are operated by Abellio ScotRail.
Following electrification between June 2013 and May 2014, Cumbernauld services have become an extension of the North Clyde Line's Springburn Branch. This now means that services from Cumbernauld now arrive at Glasgow Queen Street Low Level platforms, freeing up capacity in the High Level station. Due to cancellation of the Garngad Chord, trains must reverse from Springburn.
The hourly service to Falkirk Grahamston has been retained but until further electrification of this route is undertaken these services will continue to utilise Class 156, Class 158 and Class 170 diesel trains.
Future developments
Upon completion of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme, a series of Diversionary Route electrification projects have been outlined for completion in 2018. These plans include full electrification between Cumbernauld and Falkirk Grahamston.
With the cancellation of the Garngad Chord in November 2011, the potential to remove the timely reversing procedure at Springburn is still an option.
There are also tentative plans to extend passenger services from Falkirk to Grangemouth, a town which lost its train service in January 1968. This is an idea put forward by Network Rail to improve freight access and is support by Falkirk Council, who are currently undertaking a feasibility study into the projects potential.