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Friday 8 Feb 2019

Grangemouth electrification goes live

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Overhead power lines on the railway around Grangemouth freight terminal will be live from Sunday (February 10).

Delivered by the Stirling-Alloa-Dunblane electrification project the lines through the freight terminal from Grangemouth junction to Fouldubs junction will be live for testing and carrying 25,000 volts of electricity.

Part of the Scottish Government-funded programme to electrify rail lines across the Central Belt, the new infrastructure will be in service from March this year.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Energisation is an important phase of work to test and validate the new equipment and ensure it is operating as it should. 

“Electrification also marks a significant change to the railway in terms of risk for those living or working nearby so it is important we make people, particularly young people, aware of this change and encourage them to stay safe.

“The overhead power lines we have installed carry 25,000 volts of electricity – enough to kill anyone who comes into contact with them.

“The message is a simple one – electrified lines are always on, so always stay off.”

Safety leaflets were delivered to lineside neighbours ahead of the completion of the works and Network Rail has also worked with industry partners in schools and through local groups to take the safety message into the classroom and into the community. 

Network Rail has a range of resources is available to highlight the changes in an electrified railway including Rail Life; an initiative aimed at young people which provides teachers and parents with a range of resources on rail safety issues. Further information can be found at Rail Safety Resources