MORE than £15 million is to be invested in upgrades across Scotland’s railway over the Christmas period, Network Rail has announced.
Upgrades will take place around Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Fife over the festive period, with the organisation taking advantage of fewer people typically using the railway over Christmas.
The biggest body of work will take place on the north Clyde lines in Glasgow, which run from Helensburgh, Balloch, and Milngavie through Glasgow’s west end and low‑level stations.
Over Christmas and New Year, engineers will renew ageing overhead wires and equipment that power electric trains. Teams will work between Hyndland and Yoker from December 25-29, followed by Partick to Westerton from January 1-4.
Much of the equipment is now more than 65 years old and nearing the end of its working life, meaning renewal is essential to keep trains running safely and reliably. The work is part of a three-year, £20 million investment to modernise the overhead infrastructure. Engineers will work across the Christmas and New Year periods in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
In Edinburgh, around 1.5km of track will be renewed at Murrayfield and Haymarket on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, replacing older sections of the railway. On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, teams will clear vegetation along the railway between Dalmeny, Ladybank, and the Tay Bridge.
Engineers will carry out ‘significant’ track work in Dundee on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, replacing life-expired equipment that allows trains to move from one track to another.
On New Year’s Day, engineers will inspect the roof and various structures at Glasgow Queen Street station and carry out any necessary repairs. Between January 3-4, engineers will replace life-expired parts of the track at Finnieston in Glasgow.
Gary Hopkirk, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said, “For many people, the festive period means time off work and the chance to catch up with family and friends. The railway is generally quieter too, so it makes sense to use that opportunity to carry out some of the bigger jobs that are harder to do when the network is at its busiest.
“Most of the railway will still be open and we want people to get out and enjoy Christmas and New Year. We’d just ask passengers to check their journey before travelling, particularly if they’re heading through an area where we’re working. I’d also like to thank our teams who’ll be giving up part of their festive season to keep improving Scotland’s railway.”
