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Thursday 20 Sep 2018

Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa electrification means changes for Central Belt travellers

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Work to electrify the Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa lines ahead of the introduction of new electric trains will see the railway between Larbert and Dunblane close from Sunday October 14 to Monday October 22. 

Engineering activity is being intensified ahead of the introduction of electric trains on the routes this December.

The project team will be working day and night to complete overhead line electrification (OLE) work including the installation of contact and catenary wires, associated electrical bonding works and cable ducting work on platforms at stations along the route.

During these works alternative service arrangements will be in place with buses replacing trains for some journeys. The lines will reopen for the start of morning services on Monday, October 22. 

Once the new fleet of longer, faster and greener electric trains is introduced significant customer benefits will be realised including faster journeys, more seats, and better services to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The work is being delivered by Network Rail as part of the Scottish Government's rolling programme of electrification.

Paul Reilly, Network Rail programme manager, said: “This hugely challenging and complex project, which covers 50km of Scotland’s rail network, is another step towards building the best railway Scotland has ever had.

“With new electric trains being introduced in December, the project is reaching a crucial stage and our engineers will be working around-the-clock to finish these works on 22 October when the line will re-open for morning services.

“We are sorry for the inconvenience these works will cause to some passengers and residents and we are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum.”

Customers should leave extra time for travel, and plan journeys in advance. Further information is available at www.scotrail.co.uk/electrification as well as on the ScotRail app.

Routes affected by changes are:

Glasgow Queen St – Aberdeen services

Train services operate between Perth and Aberdeen, Buses replace trains between Falkirk Grahamston and Perth for intermediate stations in both directions.

Express buses operates between Glasgow Queen St and Perth with an hourly service also calling Stirling only.

Glasgow Queen St – Inverness services

Train services operate between Perth and Inverness. Buses replace trains between Falkirk Grahamston and Perth for intermediate stations in both directions.

Express bus also operates between Glasgow Queen St and Perth with an hourly service also calling Stirling only

Edinburgh – Dunblane / Perth services

Train services from Edinburgh operate between Edinburgh and Larbert.

Buses replace trains between Falkirk Grahamston and Dunblane / Perth, calling at all intermediate stations (note Falkirk Grahamston, Camelon and Larbert are served by both train and bus). Passenger travelling to stations north of Larbert, should change at Larbert

Train services to Edinburgh start from Falkirk Grahamston.

Buses replace trains between Perth / Dunblane and Falkirk Grahamston, calling at all intermediate stations.

Glasgow Queen St – Stirling/ Alloa / Dunblane services

Train services from Queen St operate between Glasgow Queen St and Falkirk Grahamston.

Buses replace trains between Falkirk Grahamston and Stirling / Alloa / Dunblane, calling all intermediate stations (except Camelon).

Train services to Queen St operate between Larbert (platform 2) and Queen Street.  Passengers at stations north of Larbert going to Glasgow Queen St should change at Larbert onto a train service.

Buses replace trains between Dunblane / Alloa / Stirling and Falkirk Grahamston.