Scotland: Network Rail and Siemens Start Final Signalling Upgrades Phase

Signals, Lanarkshire, Scotland © Network Rail

Network Rail will work with Siemens Mobility to complete the final phase of upgrades to signalling systems in Lanarkshire, Scotland from 21 September until 25 September 2018.

The engineers will replace track circuits, signals and cabling and remove redundant kit and equipment on the line between Edinburgh, Waverley and Glasgow Central Stations via Shotts. The control panel in the Edinburgh Signalling Centre will also be upgraded. All of the signalling & telecoms systems will be tested and commissioned before becoming operational on 25 September.

The work is part of the final phase of the Motherwell North Signalling Renewal (MNSR) project. The MNSR is replacing outdated signalling and telecoms systems to improve the safety and reliability of trains and increase capacity for additional services on the network. The project is replacing trackside equipment and transferring control of systems to the West of Scotland Signalling Centre and upgrading and renewing systems connected to Edinburgh Signalling Centre in the east.

This phase of upgrades is necessary to prepare the Shotts line for the introduction of new longer and faster trains after the tracks on the route are electrified.

Steve Muirhead, Route Asset Manager for signalling in Scotland, Network Rail, said:

 “We are working to renew kit and equipment from the 1970s and replace it with systems that will improve performance and increase capacity – which needs to happen to enable the electrification of the line linking Scotland’s largest cities.”

The first phase of the project was completed in Easter 2017. Network Rail has invested a total of £114 million in the upgrades. The fleets of passenger trains in Scotland are currently being updated with the introduction of LNER Azuma trains (Class 800 and Class 801), Class 365s and Class 385 vehicles.