– Major infrastructure works underway across the network
– Journeys may be affected after the end of the evening peak period
– Customers advised to check dedicated webpage for info on their journey

The ScotRail Alliance is reminding customers to check before they travel as the next phase of the Scotland-wide rail upgrade programme gets under way this weekend.

From Sunday 21 May work will be carried out to improve the network in Central and Northern Scotland. On those routes affected by the work, there will be changes to journeys after the end of the evening peak period.

To help customers plan ahead, the ScotRail Alliance has summarised the key changes at different times of day between now and December on a dedicated webpage at scotrail.co.uk/improvements.

Journey times will be longer and customers can expect to see queuing systems in operation at key stations.

As well as increasing the overall reliability of the rail network, the improvement work takes the next step towards introduction of new faster, longer, greener trains for Scotland – meaning more seats and shorter journey times.

Jacqueline Taggart, ScotRail Alliance Customer Experience Director said: “No one likes having their journey changed. However, this short term disruption will lead to a more reliable, better rail network that will rank amongst the very best.

“We are going through a massive period of change on Scotland’s railway. The work that we are carrying out over the next few months will bring about a revolution in rail – with more and better trains, more services and more seats than ever before.

“However, while we transform the railway, there is inevitably going to be some impact on people’s services. We are doing everything we can to minimise this, and to keep people moving.”

The ScotRail Alliance is advising fans heading to the match at Celtic Park on Sunday 21 May to leave extra time for their journeys, as services through Bellgrove, Bridgeton and Dalmarnock stations are expected to be exceptionally busy.

Customers on the Newton and Hamilton lines should be aware that essential track replacement works will be taking place. As a result, buses will replace trains between Bridgeton and Motherwell via Hamilton, and also between Bridgeton and Newton. In addition, services between Milngavie and Motherwell will be diverted via Whifflet. Customers travelling via Glasgow Central Low Level to Dalmarnock will not be affected.

Fans travelling from the east are reminded that direct services to the stadium are available from Edinburgh, by catching a train towards Helensburgh Central and alighting at Bellgrove.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: “Extra staff will be on hand to assist, please follow their instructions to make your journey to the game as smooth as possible. Please buy your tickets in advance, not on the day, as this will help reduce your need to queue.”

The ScotRail Alliance is urging customers on the Aberdeen to Inverness route to check their journey times before they travel, as train times will be altered over the bank holiday weekend.

Buses replace trains between Inverness and Keith on 27 – 29 May to allow for engineering works to take place. Customers are being encouraged to plan ahead and check their journey plans on the ScotRail app or at scotrail.co.uk.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: “We appreciate our customers’ patience during these essential works.”

The ScotRail Alliance is urging customers who use Carstairs stations to check their journey times before they travel, as engineering works are taking place over the bank holiday weekend.

Journey times will be extended as buses replace trains through Carstairs on 27 and 29 May. On Monday 29 May only, some services will start or terminate at Lanark, with connecting buses running between Carstairs and Lanark.

Replacement buses will depart Carstairs earlier than normal and arrive back later, so customers are being encouraged to plan ahead and check their journey plans on the ScotRail app or at scotrail.co.uk.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: “These are vital works, and we appreciate our customers’ patience.”

• Expected lifespan increase of up to 25% for wheel bearings
• Algorithms monitor and calculate wear on bearings and railhead
• Class 334 fleet will all be fitted with sensors in 2017

Improving reliability and reducing time spent in maintenance depots for the ScotRail Alliance’s Class 334 fleet will be achieved with the fitting of wireless sensors to monitor wheels and wheel bearing condition.

Maintenance regulations require the Class 334 electric trains to have all wheel bearings replaced on hard time maintenance schedules every 600,000 miles whether they need the new parts or not. This means time out of service and sometimes unnecessary maintenance. The addition of this UK-developed system allows the continual monitoring of wheels, bearings and the track and should deliver a 25% increase in bearing lifespans, due to timely fault identification and monitoring.

Perpetuum wireless sensors use a patented ‘energy-harvester’ to provide readings to a centralised data concentrator. This information gives a real-time analysis of the wheel-rail interface showing if there’s bearing/wheel wear or some damage to the track that could impact on overall safety.

There are already over 10,000 of these sensors deployed by rail operators in England, the USA and Australia – with over 1.5 billion miles of ‘service experience’ to learn from – but the ScotRail fleet represents the first time Perpetuum has been used in Scotland.

Similar technology is already used in aviation for passenger aircraft where maintenance is ‘condition-based’ but its value in managing train fleets’ reliability and repairs is now becoming apparent.

The sensors are mounted onto the wheel bearing cover, where they capture data and transmit to a data concentrator. Algorithms calculate differences in the interface and this alerts the fleet manager when the train is ready for maintenance or of a potential fault developing.

Track officials can also see information which pinpoints changes in condition of the track, allowing prompt repair and subsequently lessening damage to the train wheels.

Three Class 334 trains were used in the Perpetuum pilot on the Scottish rail network, with the whole fleet scheduled for fitting in 2017. This is in addition to wifi equipment, which is now live across the 40-strong fleet and free to use for customers.

The ScotRail Alliance’s fleet director Angus Thom said: “Keeping our trains out on the tracks, delivering a safe and efficient rail service is essential to our operation. This technology helps our maintenance teams make informed and timely decisions around monitoring repairs and potential problems, so keeping our 334 fleet in optimal operating condition.”

Perpetuum’s chief executive Dr Steve Turley said: “If fleet managers know what condition a train is in they don’t spend time and budget putting it through an unnecessary upkeep and repair programme. ‘Condition-based’ maintenance means that trains spend more time on the track and improved customer service.”

For further information please contact ScotRail Alliance Comms on 0141 555 4105/4247 or email communications@scotrail.co.uk

Pictured above: A ScotRail class 334 train arrives at Bathgate station. (Please credit to the ScotRail Alliance).

The ScotRail Alliance is advising rugby fans heading by train to Murrayfield for the European Rugby Champions Cup Final on 13 May to plan their journey in advance.

To help ensure everyone gets to the game on time, passengers should allow extra time for travel – as well as purchasing tickets in advance. ScotRail will be adding carriages to services all day between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street, and on key services to Tweedbank, Glenrothes, Helensburgh and Milngavie.

Customers should be aware queuing systems will be in place at Haymarket station after the match, and that the last trains of the night are expected to be busy. Where possible, fans should plan to catch an earlier train to avoid disappointment.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: “It’s going to be a big weekend of rugby in the capital.
“We’ll be using every train at our disposal to add extra carriages to services towards Edinburgh, however, trains are expected to be very busy.

“Make sure to check your train times on our website or app and leave plenty of time for travel. Buying tickets in advance will also help reduce your queuing time.”

ScotRail will have extra staff on the ground to assist fans, and as with most large events alcohol bans will be in place.