The first electric train ran along the Shotts Line between Holytown and Midcalder Junction on February 24.
Freightliner 86638 was used to carry out test runs, and was later joined by classmate 86627.
The 22.2-mile section of railway is being wired in a £160 million scheme, and becomes the fifth electrified route between Edinburgh and Glasgow. ScotRail expects to start running electric-operated passenger trains from the start of the May timetable using brand new Hitachi Class 385s.
Network Rail said 1.2 million hours work has involved installing 2,500 tonnes of steel masts on the route, while 17 bridges have either been raised or demolished to create space for the overhead wires. The project has taken four years to complete, with NR expected to complete the upgrade by the end of this month.
- For the FULL story, read RAIL 874, published on March 13, and available digitally on Android, iPad and Kindle from March 9.
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AndrewJG8918 - 28/02/2019 00:37
ScotRail will soon be allowed to introduce the Class 385s in service on the Shotts Line between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central via Livingston South/Shotts. As the electrification between Midcalder and Holytown has been completed.
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Iain Masterton - 31/03/2019 21:49
And Kirknewton, as a key commuter station in both directions, is STILL without even a pedestrian footbridge, let alone no-stair access. Are you actually TRYING to close this station by stealth, having failed with Breich?
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