Guide to the electrification of Scotland's railways
Guide to the electrification of Scotland's railways
Transport accounts for 37% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland. It is therefore central to Transport Scotland’s Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan to make passenger railways Net Zero by 2035. Much of this will be achieved by electrifying lines with ‘Overhead Line Equipment’ or OLE. Environmentally, operationally and from the perspective of passenger service and comfort, OLE is the preferred choice across the world.
Working with Network Rail, we have updated a guide first produced a decade ago to assist the public and planning authorities in understanding why lines are being electrified, and why some changes to existing and historic structures will be required.
Revised to take account of technological advances and Network Rail’s recent experience, the guide explains the principles of electrically powered trains; how power is supplied to trains; the individual components of OLE equipment; how such equipment is arranged along the track; how to introduce OLE within sensitive landscapes; understanding loading gauges and bridge clearances; the safety of passengers and staff; and the installation of OLE for different types of structures.
The updated Guide is just one output from our long-term relationship with Network Rail, spanning many years and encompassing many different projects. This experience also informed our contribution to a landmark series of new design guidance documents published by the organisation, which symbolise and reinforce its renewed commitment to good design.
You can read the guide here.
Client: Network Rail