Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk Line

The Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk Line is a mainline railway line linking Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk in Scotland. It is one of three (soon to be four) rail links between Scotland's two biggest cities.

Places served

The route serves the following places (Ordnance Survey grid references for stations):

ervices

Passenger services are operated by First ScotRail. The line is not electrified, although it was announced in 2007 by the Scottish Executive that electrification of the route was now a priority.

1950s/60s

As part of a review by the British Transport Commission report in 1952, the services were provided by the 1956 batch of Class 126 DMU, entering service in 1957.

1970s

In 1971, the stock provided changed to locomotives fitted for Blue Star multiple working. Initially a mixture of Class 26, Class 27 and Class 37 at each end of a rake of Mark 2 carriages through wired and piped to provide convert|90|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on "push-pull" working. However, very quickly this settled down to a dedicated pool of Class 27 locomotives.

1980s

The "push-pull" service was demanding on the Class 27 and reliability started to suffer. In 1980, the push-pull sets were replaced by single Class 47/7s at one end of a rake of Mark 3 carriages and a DBSO operating with TDM system. Also during this period, InterCity provided through services from Glasgow Queen Street to London Kings Cross and various West Country destinations, resulting in the use of InterCity 125s being seen on the route.

At this time the service operated on a half hourly frequency with all trains stopping at Haymarket and Falkirk High with alternate trains stopping at Polmont and Linlithgow. Some Peak hour trains stopped at Bishopbriggs, Lenzie and Croy. Sunday trains served Falkirk Grahamston.

In the late 1980s with the electrification of the Great Eastern Main Line, the DBSO set-up was planned for replacement with Class 158 in four and six car formations, however due to delays in deliveries and the need to release the stock for the Great Eastern Main Line, Class 156 were used for a short period, prior to being put into use on the Far North Line.

1990s/2000s

Delivery of the Class 170 since 1998 has displaced the Class 158 for other duties, including the Far North Line. Other motive power can be seen as a result of operational considerations including Class 156 and 158. The "(Glasgow Queen Street-Edinburgh Haymarket) Shuttle" weekday day time service pattern sees a train every 15 minutes from Glasgow/Edinburgh. All trains stop at Falkirk High and Haymarket, with selected trains stopping at Croy, Polmont and Linlithgow.

The Sunday services see all stations served every half an hour.

History

The route has historic significance as it was Scotland's first inter-city railway, opening on 2 February 1842 as the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.Robertson(1983). Chapter 3, Section II: "The essential link: Edinburgh to Glasgow", Pp 99-120.] It later became a key constituent of the North British Railway.Awdry (1990); Page 128.]

References

Sources

* Glasgow to Edinburgh Lines
* [http://www.railscot.co.uk/Edinburgh_and_Glasgow_Railway/frame.htm RAILSCOT on Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway]
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