Generic Glasgow Railways Thread

james73 · Generic Glasgow Railways Thread

Talks to start on plan for Ibrox rail link

RANGERS are to open talks with transport bosses over plans to build a new
railway station at Ibrox.

Thousands of fans could travel to games by train for the first time in more
than 40 years under proposals to recreate the stop at Broomloan Road.

Club chairman Sir David Murray is considering three options to redevelop
Ibrox, which will see the ground's capacity rise by 8000 or 20,000 seats.

The most ambitious masterplan, reportedly worth £700million to the area,
would see a new 70,000 seater arena built beside a hotel, conference centre,
homes and shops.

With the Subway operating at capacity and regular tailbacks on Paisley Road
West and the Clyde tunnel on match days, any traffic impact study is likely to
recommend a new rail station.

The Evening Times can reveal officials from the club will meet representatives
from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport next month to discuss the project.

Alistair Watson, chairman of SPT, said: "We hope Rangers will look at what
has been achieved with stations at the new Wembley and Arsenal's stadium.

"We are looking forward to constructive discussions with the club.

"There are two lines running from Glasgow to Paisley and a third is being added
for the airport rail link. That could easily accommodate a new station but it won't
be cheap."

The original train station at Ibrox was shut in 1965 and Glasgow Housing
Association flats earmarked for demolition now occupy the site at the top
of Broomloan Road.

James H

AlanM

ex-tobester

Be an unmanned station Alan, may put in an automatic ticket machine but i doubt it.

So long as i dont have to work the service

bad enuff ill be doing the bridgeton services

cybers

Could be great news this not just for the fans but for the folk that need to get to work and home again...
It's about time they stuck some investment into public transport infrastructure and prove they are not just blowing sh*t in the wind with all the smoke and mirrors about getting peeps out their cars and back on public transport....

james73

Landslide track could re-open by weekend

NORMAL train services could resume by the weekend after a landslide, it emerged
today. Network Rail said repair work to the line between Dumbarton and Helensburgh,
which carries 3000 passengers a day, was ongoing.

A spokesman said: "We hope to get passenger services operating again by Saturday
morning." Train services were suspended and the line closed when the landslide
was discovered on Tuesday night, as reported in last night's Evening Times.

The incident happened at Dalreoch, near Dumbarton, where a retaining wall
holds back a 20metre high soil slope. Four trains - sleepers and a freight train
to Fort William - are being allowed to use the line in a desperate attempt to keep
disruption to a minimum. But fears that repairs would continue into next week
now seem unlikely.

There is growing speculation that Network Rail, responsible for track maintenance,
will be able to confirm full weekend services within the next 24 hours. Today its
spokesman said: "We have taken the decision to temporarily close this section
of track in both directions. "The line will not re-open until we are satisfied there is
no risk to train services."

Up to 3000 passengers have been hit, including 500 who use the West Highland
line and First ScotRail - the country's main train operator - is having to lay on
dozens of buses. Replacement transport was yesterday put in place at Dalreoch,
Cardross and Craigendoran. The disruption means longer travelling times for commuters.

A spokeswoman for FirstScotRail said: "We are advising people to leave a little
more time for their journey."

James H

Len Scaps

Does anyone know if you can get access to Gorbals station, or indeed is it worthwhile trying?

james73

I take it you mean Cumberland St station? I dont know, and in any case half
of it is gone (at least).

James H

falseface

ex-tobester

Noticed this morning heading to Central for training that the signal box at Hyndland's now been demolished (shame)

Len Scaps

james73

Fed-up rail users say full trains can’t take the strain

TRAIN passengers using a key route into Glasgow could quit using the public transport
due to severe overcrowding, experts warned today.

Carriages on the East Kilbride to Glasgow line are 94% full during the morning
rush hour and demand could soon outstrip capacity, according to a study.

Adding to the problem is the single line - which limits train numbers at peak
times - between East Kilbride and Busby.

Officials in East Renfrewshire have highlighted overcrowding on the route as a
major obstacle in the battle to tempt commuters out of their cars.

The council's local transport plan, published this week, raises concern that passengers
in Busby, Clarkston, Giffnock and Thornliebank will suffer because of limited
capacity.

The report states: "Overcrowding problems are worst on the East Kilbride line and
services will come under further pressure in the future.

"Constraints apply to the trains themselves with limitations on platform lengths,
rolling stock availability and the track capacity."

Councillor Alistair Watson, chairman of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport,
said: "Unless something is done to tackle this problem, we will drive people away
from public transport.

"The East Kilbride line is a victim of its own success it's now a major commuter
route. We plan to hold talks with Transport Scotland and the operator to see what
can be done."

The service is half-hourly at most times but four trains run between 8am and 9am.

Giffnock, Busby and Thornliebank stations - all on the East Kilbride line - have
seen a drop in the number of passengers recently with commuters citing overcrowding
and security concerns for them ditching train travel.

James H

james73

Train stations given lift by new £370m access boost

RAIL chiefs are installing lifts at four train stations in and around Glasgow as
part of a Government Access For All nationwide programme which is costing
£370million.

Lifts are being fitted at stations in Mouth Florida in Glasgow, Motherwell and Rutherglen
in South Lanarkshire as well as Barrhead in East Renfrewshire, Network Rail has
announced.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson MSP said: "It is a key Scottish Government
priority that access to transport links is made easier for all passengers.

"I am therefore pleased that this investment will bring valuable benefits and increase
opportunities to travel through improved station access."

James H

james73

CCTV blitz at stations

MORE than 100 CCTV cameras are to be installed at Scots railway stations in a major
new drive to boost passenger security.

The £350,000 initiative, which was unveiled today, will see 23 new cameras
installed in Queen Street lower level.

Apart from the Glasgow station, the third busiest in the country, 46 cameras
will be fitted at Motherwell.

The rest of the 116 cameras will be fitted at Inverness. Eight CCTV Help Points
will also be installed on platforms at the stations.

First ScotRail said the work would be completed by next month, when the train
operator will manage a total of 3950 cameras and 441CCTV Help Points at 241
stations across Scotland.

James H

james73

Cost of Partick station revamp soars by £6.3m

THE cost of upgrading one of Scotland's busiest stations has soared by
£6.3million.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport was originally told the cost of building
work at Partick would be £9.7m, with a further £2.6m needed for professional
fees and third party costs.

But contractor C Spencer Construction has asked SPT for a further £6.3m,
bringing the total cost of construction to £16m and the final bill to £18.6m.

It is the latest problem to hit work at the station, which is two years behind
schedule.

SPT has agreed to pay the Lincolnshire based company almost £2m of its
new claim but is disputing the remainder.

A spokesman for the transport authority said the extra cost and delay in
completing the project was mainly due to ground conditions, which were
discovered when work began.

That resulted in work being delayed while the station was redesigned.
Further delays occurred when SPT and Network Rail were involved in a
wrangle over insurance liability for workers involved in the project.

And the ownership of a small strip of land beside the station concourse
further held up the work.

The SPT spokesman said: "When they started digging the foundations they
came across things they were not expecting and could not factor in. As a
result they had to investigate and redesign, which caused delays.

"We have agreed an interim payment of £1.96m, but are challenging
£4.34m to make sure the claims can be substantiated."

Work on the interchange started in 2005 and was due to finish early last
year.

Consultants employed by SPT are studying the details of the construction
firms claims, but already believe not all can be justified.

James H

james73

Intercity rail link to be 'world class'

RAIL bosses want to make the busy Glasgow to Edinburgh train line one of
the best in the world.

Network Rail hope the route will have "world-class" punctuality and
reliability, similar to lines anywhere in the globe.

More than seven out of 10 trains currently arrive on time and more than
nine in 10 are within five minutes of schedule.

But targets will be set to further improve timekeeping, which bosses say is
already at its best for decade.

Measures being considered include raising the speed limits on sections of
the line which would help reduce the current 48-minute journey time and
boost the economy by £60million for every minute saved.

And an extra £5million has been added to the £20m annual spend on the
line. Non-stop trains would be introduced and the speed limit raised from
90mph to 100mph as part of the proposals.

James H

james73

Rail bosses want to install 250 spycams to cut crime

RAIL bosses want to make Glasgow's Central Station safer - with 250 new
CCTV cameras.

Network Rail has applied for planning permission for the massive security
upgrade as part of a multi-million pound plan across Scotland's busiest
stations.

The high-resolution cameras will provide blanket cover of the upper level
of the station with close attention paid to trouble spots such as bike racks
and entrances.

Cameras on the outside of the huge building will also cover the
surrounding streets which are crime hotspots especially at weekends.

For security reasons, Network Rail declined to say exactly where the
cameras will be located but said careful consideration had been given to
their locations.

A spokesman said: "The cameras will be placed in areas which will be most
likely to need them, such as facing on to bicycle racks, pointing at steps
into the station and the immediate streets surrounding the station.

"Different types will be used and they will be placed as unobtrusively as
possible."

A study by the Evening Times earlier this year showed the streets around
Central Station to be the most dangerous in the city.

Of the 232 beats in Strathclyde Police's A, C, E and G divisions, the travel
hub had the most violent crimes.

Serious assaults, which form part of the serious violence group and include
stabbings, were also highest around Central Station.

It is hoped the new camera network will cut crime and help passengers
feel safer using the station.

James H

cybers

james73

Glasgow's rail users 'treated like 2nd class citizens'

RAIL bosses have been accused of treating Glasgow passengers like
"second-class citizens" - for refusing to serve coffee and snacks on part
of their service.

Concern has been raised about the lack of catering provided by
CrossCountry - which operates out of 100 stations across Britain.

People travelling from Glasgow Central to London are unable to buy food
or drink at all on the Glasgow to Edinburgh leg. And for first-class
passengers there is no at-seat catering service until Newcastle.

Now Labour's transport spokesman, Clydebank and Milngavie MSP Des
McNulty, has written to Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson outlining his
concerns.

Mr McNulty said: "I have had a lot of letters and complaints about the
deteriorating service run by CrossCountry.

"The level of service is simply unacceptable and is treating passengers like
second-class citizens."

CrossCountry said it did not serve food and drink until Edinburgh because
it was not commercially "viable".

James H

Edward Fox

james73

Rail passengers face travel chaos as five stations close

THOUSANDS of commuters face travel chaos for a month when five railways
stations in Glasgow will be closed.

The shutdown follows the collapse of old mine works near the Cathcart
Circle line.

Passengers will be forced to swap trains for buses to allow engineers to
carry out emergency safety work costing £2million in the South Side of the
city.

The stations to be shut are Pollokshaws East, Queens Park, Crosshill,
Mount Florida and Cathcart.

All five will be closed from Tuesday, July 22, and won't reopen until Sunday,
August 17.

Passengers were today told they will have to switch to local bus services.

First ScotRail is to run a revised timetable between Glasgow Central and
stations at Neilston, Renfrewshire, and Newton, South Lanarkshire, to
enable engineers to tackle the subsidence problem.

The train operator says the extensive repairs will add around seven
minutes to some journey times, while passengers face changes to
departure and arrival times during the month-long programme.

Network Rail, which is responsible for rail infrastructure, has hired civil
engineering contractor Edmund Nuttall, the firm which built Glasgow's
Squinty Bridge, to carry out the work.

Programme manager Raymond Johnstone said: "At the end of May, we
identified subsidence near the Cathcart Circle line just south of
Pollokshields East station.

"This coincided with works being carried out by developers on an adjacent
site. A speed restriction of 5mph was imposed immediately and watchmen
were assigned to the site to monitor the track condition after every train
movement.

"A full survey of the site by Network Rail has identified the cause of the
subsidence. Ancient mine workings four metres below ground have
partially collapsed, causing the ground near the track to subside.

"In order to fix the problem, Network Rail considered several options and
all but one would have involved excavation of the site and long-term
disruption to train services and residents for many months.

"The solution involves drilling bore holes and filling the gap beneath the
ground with grouting material. This will require a four-week closure of the
track in this area."

Steve Montgomery, operations and safety director at First ScotRail, said:
"We will be operating as comprehensive a timetable as possible during this
time in order to minimise the impact on our customers.

"Where a rail service cannot be operated, alternative transport will be
available and staff will be on hand to provide assistance."

Train passengers who have already bought season tickets and zonecards
won't be charged by bus firms so long as they produce them.

First ScotRail also plans a half hourly shuttle bus service which will call at
all five stations. Buses will also pick up and drop off commuters at King's
Park who are travelling to and from Newton and Neilston.

Posters highlighting the temporary timetable are to be displayed at stations
while wheelchair users are asked to contact First ScotRail's travel line.

James H

james73

... but customer satisfaction is up!

First ScotRail has continued to deliver high level services, passengers have
reported in the national rail watchdog's Great Britain rail network survey.

Passenger Focus today released its Spring 2008 National Passenger Survey
which found overall satisfaction with First ScotRail (88%) was up 5% points
from Spring 2007.

The findings follow the announcement earlier this year that the First
ScotRail franchise has been extended for three years to 2014.

Passengers told the watchdog four key areas of the First ScotRail service
had improved including ticket buying facilities at the station, the availability
of staff and the upkeep and repair of station buildings and platforms.

However, passengers increasingly see station car parking to be a problem
with only 44% satisfied with facilties - a drop of 11%.

The Passenger Focus survey found that across Scotland, overall satisfaction
with rail services was generally higher than the GB average of 80%.

National Express East Coast received a score of 86%, Virgin Trains an
85% approval rate and overall satisfaction with Cross Country and First
Trans Pennine Express was at 84%.

James H

james73

New trains bring 9,000 extra seats

A £180m fleet of electric trains will be introduced on the Scottish rail network.

Siemens will supply 130 new carriages, providing 9,000 more seats, which
will be brought into use by the end of 2010.

Finance Secretary John Swinney announced the deal, which will see 134
jobs created to operate and maintain the fleet and the expanded depots.

The trains will operate mainly in the west of Scotland and on the forthcoming
Glasgow Airport rail link.

"If we want to encourage more Scots to switch from their cars to public
transport, we need to continue to invest in our rail network," Mr Swinney
said.

First ScotRail said the new trains would lead to rolling stock being released
to operate on the forthcoming Airdrie to Bathgate line, meaning more capacity
on services connecting stations between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Workforce expansion

HSBC will act as a third party in the deal with Siemens Transportation Systems,
which will see the agency Transport Scotland provide £180m for the new
fleet.

First ScotRail will then lease them out on a 17-year operating contract.

First ScotRail managing director Mary Grant, said: "This is the biggest
electric trains order in Scotland for a decade.

"It will result in extra trains, and services, at a time when more and more
people are choosing rail as their preferred means of travel."

Transport Scotland will also provide £40m for a platform extension
programme across Ayrshire and Inverclyde to accommodate the longer
electric trains.

__________________________________________________________

£230m railway revolution for Glasgow

SCOTLAND is to get a £180million fleet of new hi-tech trains - and most
will operate in and out of Glasgow.

Transport chiefs will also create 134 jobs by spending another £50m on
longer platforms and building a new maintenance depot in the city's South
Side.

They are to buy 38 locomotives and 130 carriages that will provide extra
seating for 9000 passengers.

The fleet will be used on the Glasgow-Edinburgh service and Glasgow-
Inverclyde and Ayrshire.

Several of the new trains will provide passenger services on the planned
Glasgow Airport Rail Link.

The fleet will be fully air-conditioned and carriages will also be fitted with
CCTV, as well as power sockets for laptops.

They will be more spacious, with easy access for the disabled and
provision for cycles and luggage.

The new rolling stock will be phased in over three years, but will begin
running at stations from December 2010.

Longer platforms will be constructed at stations in Ayrshire and Inverclyde,
while a hi-tech repair and maintenance depot will be built in Glasgow's
Shields Road to replace an existing facility.

As well as the 134 extra jobs needed to maintain and operate Scotland's
expanded fleet, additional drivers are to be recruited, along with cleaners
who will be based at a depot in Yoker.

The investment comes amid predictions passengers numbers will rise
significantly over the next 10 years.

James H

Fjord

Christ what an ugly design and how the hell will that central gangway door match up with another unit

james73

james73

Travellers delayed as train points fail (Evening Times)

MORE than 60 trains were delayed or cancelled when points broke down at
Glasgow Central.

Thousands of travellers were hit when the failure blocked lines.

Managers were forced to cancel some services and hold back others as
engineers worked to get trains running for the evening rush hour.

One commuter travelling on the Cathcart Circle as the worst delays hit
said: "I had to wait 40 minutes for a train, just to make a 10-minute
journey home."

A spokesman for Network Rail said there had been a "track circuit failure"
shortly before 3pm yesterday and engineers resolved the worst hold-ups
before peak traffic hit.

By late afternoon, five services had been cancelled and 58 had suffered
delays totalling just over eight hours.

The spokesman said: "A number of lines were affected, blocking one
route into the station. The delays were significant but not major."

The failure came despite last year's extensive engineering works at the
station, which were part of an £85million investment programme.

James H

Stuball

The cathcart trains always get hit first :)

And the Mr '10 minute journey' should have went got the bus

Alex Glass

My train to Nitshill was delayed by about 5 minutes yesterday.

If it had been delayed any longer I would have went for the bus.

james73

Rail line shuts for major upgrade (BBC)

The railway line between Kilmarnock and Dumfries is to be closed for two
weeks for major upgrade works.

The closure from 19 July to 3 August is planned to enable the completion
of a £35m project to eliminate an eight-mile "bottleneck" between Gretna
and Annan.

All services between Glasgow Central and Carlisle will be affected, with
replacement buses in operation. First ScotRail has advised passengers to
allow more time for their journey over the period of the works.

The double-tracking of the section between Gretna and Annan was
announced last year. It is hoped it will reduce delays and allow increased
capacity on the route.

Network Rail's route director in Scotland, David Simpson, said it was an
important project.

Vital link

"The Gretna to Annan route is a vital rail link for both freight and
passenger trains and the upgrade is an important part of Network Rail's
vision to modernise and grow the railway in Scotland," he said.

"We are working closely with First ScotRail to provide alternative
transport arrangements while this work is completed and would like to
thank the local communities for their continued support and patience."

Replacement bus services will run between Kilmarnock and Carlisle for
the duration of the closure.

At peak times, express buses will also run between Glasgow and Carlisle,
calling at Dumfries, Annan and Gretna.

James H

AMcD

I'm still waiting to find when the "new" half-hourly service fae Killie to Glasgow will start.

Supposedly they* can't confirm a start date, nor which stations it will stop at, or where the new rolling-stock that they bought to use has vanished to.

Any ideas Mr Driver?

* "Scottish Government"

james73

Alex Glass

james73

Travel chaos as 5 city rail stations shut (Evening Times)

HUNDREDS of frustrated commuters were left fuming today as a major
programme of rail works caused massive disruption.

Five stations in Glasgow's South Side were closed for a month after the
collapse of mine works under the Cathcart Circle line.

Travellers were late for work as busy bus routes struggled to cope with a
flood of extra passengers forced off the rails.

The work is scheduled to continue until August 17 to allow engineers to
carry out £2million of safety work.

The closed stations are Pollokshields East, Queen's Park, Crosshill, Mount
Florida and Cathcart. First ScotRail promised replacement buses would
operate to cut down on disruption.

However, angry passengers today hit out at First for not laying on enough
buses, with many left stranded at crowded stops when overloaded buses
drove past.

One Queen's Park commuter said: "It's been absolute chaos. The normal
service buses are so full they are having to pass bus stops - and there's
no sign of the promised replacement buses.

"I ended up having to take a taxi - and I won't be the only person late for
work this morning."

But First ScotRail insisted there were no major problems.

A spokesman said: "We have put in place as comprehensive a timetable
as possible to minimise the impact on our customers. It is all going to
plan. Where a rail service cannot be operated, alternative transport has
been provided and staff are on hand to help."

The rail company posted customer service advisers at the entrances to
affected stations today and train passengers were allowed to use their
season tickets on buses.

The company was running shuttle services but only between Pollokshields
East and King's Park.

James H

james73

Bus firm steps in to ease rail chaos (Evening Times)

A GLASGOW bus firm put on extra services today to bail out rail operators
after engineering works left passengers stranded.

Yesterday hundreds of commuters faced delays when five stations in
Glasgow's South Side were closed for urgent repairs, forcing more
travellers on to buses that could not cope.

And today First in Glasgow added extra services to ease pressure to get
commuters in to work on time.

Services were pushed past breaking point by the closure of Cathcart,
Mount Florida, Crosshill, Queens Park and Pollokshields East stations.

No trains will run at these points until the middle of next month to allow a
£2million repair scheme, filling in collapsed mine works.

And yesterday tempers flared as workers returned from the Fair
Weekend to find that their normally busy rush-hour buses were full to
overflowing.

The bus operator, a sister company to the rail firm, is introducing
additional services after complaints from passengers yesterday, many of
whom were stranded as crammed vehicles were forced to pass stops on
the way into the city centre.

At one stop, a frustrated crowd of about 50 had to wait until almost 9am
before space was available, with the 44 service via Hope Street worst hit.

Today a First in Glasgow spokeswoman said it would be running extra
buses.

She said: "Where we become aware of capacity problems we'll endeavour
to provide additional buses within the constraints of running our full
normal service."

She added that First in Glasgow will accept rail season tickets during the
period of the closures.

Arriva which operates a 33 service from Barrhead to Glasgow, was also
contracted by the train operators before this week's closures and agreed
to accept rail season tickets for travel.

The operator said it had no problems with its service, which passes two of
the closed stations.

James H

james73

Railway crime 'hotspots' revealed (BBC)

The 10 areas worst affected by rail crime in Scotland have been identified,
with figures showing about 2,000 offences were committed last year.

Newton in South Lanarkshire, Edinburgh's Waverley Station and Stepps in
North Lanarkshire were named as the worst three areas for rail crime.

Network Rail said trespass, vandalism and theft of track material was
among the most common crimes committed.

The list was released as part of Network Rail's No Messin' campaign.

The summer-long initiative aims to raise awareness among youngsters
about the dangers of playing near railways and is being launched in Alloa,
the location of Scotland's newest stretch of track.

According to the latest figures, 56 people were killed in accidents on
Britain's railway network in 2007, with 256 deaths in the last five years.

Of those killed, one in four were aged between eight and 18.

Scotlands Top Ten Railway Crime Hotspots

James H

Alex Glass

The problem at Priesthill/Darnley is the lack of a decent bridge from one side to the other.

Passengers have to walk up a hill to cross the old footbridge. Unfortunately when the station was being built they didn't have enough money to put in a new footbridge. Although it is very dangerous crossing the railway line people feel that it is easier to do this rather than walk to the footbridge.

I was approached by Railtrack a few years ago to help draw attention to the dangers crossing the tracks.

james73

I think I know the bridge you mean. It's a fair distance from the station and it's the
sort of bridge that makes you feel you're about to get mugged...

James H

Alex Glass

Spot on James

You can see the bridge in the distance. I have received a lot of complaints about the condition of the bridge. Last year I tried to get better lighting across the bridge. I also have to regularly get it cleared of rubbish. Some people would rather walk the other way and cross through the underpass which is even further than the footbridge.

I upset some local residents last year by having a path closed due to some anti social youths invading the area. Had to get it opened again quickly when it was pointed out that this was the preferred route for some residents to get to a the schools in Darnley

james73

100 in travel terror after power cable falls on train (Evening Times)

A ROUTINE trip home turned to terror for 100 Glasgow commuters when a
25,000-volt power cable collapsed on to their train.

Shocked passengers were trapped in carriages just outside Easterhouse
in Glasgow after the train suddenly jarred to a halt.

And today witness Thomas O'Donnell said passengers were left waiting in
fear for half-an-hour before rescuers arrived to arrange a precarious
transfer to another train.

The Evening Times vendor praised fellow passengers for staying calm
when their journey on Tuesday was violently interrupted.

Mr O'Donnell was on the train relaxing after a shift at his city centre pitch
when he heard a loud bang "like a giant elastic band snapping".

And he soon realised there was a real problem with the overhead cable
which powers the electric train service.

He said: "The driver hit the emergency brakes and we stopped really
hard. All of the lights on the train went out and I heard something hit the
roof. Then a cable fell down by the side of the train and hit the window
next to me."

The accident hit the 5.23pm Balloch to Airdrie service, which goes through
Queen Street, just as it was leaving Easterhouse station.

Engineers had to clear traffic from another train line and then take a
rescue train to the scene, before laying a gangplank between the
carriages to let passengers escape.

James H

Stuball

I sense a little embelishment of the story there

james73

Stuball

Edward Fox

glasgowken

Speaking of bridges, the footbridges at Dalmuir need serious work to the treads, a lot of them are rotten and slope backwards

james73

Headcams for Subway cops in bid to beat yobs (Evening Times)

GLASGOW'S Subway police have unveiled their latest weapon in the war
against yobs - head-mounted cameras.

The hi-tech kits, which will be used for the first time in Scotland today,
allow British Transport Police to record anti-social behaviour on trains and
monitor crowds at big events such as football matches and concerts.

Two officers will wear the special "Veecams" tonight as fans travel to and
from Ibrox for Rangers' second round Champions League qualifier against
Lithuanian side Kaunas.

The £1200 hands-free camera can film continuously for up to eight hours.
It can be positioned on the head or body and has a microphone.

High-quality footage is easily downloaded onto computers and DVDs.

Because the cameras are tamper-proof, bosses say any evidence collected
by them will be fully admissible in court.

They have already been used successfully by British Transport Police on
the London Underground and by other forces in England and Wales.

It took the Subway network's two dedicated cops, PCs Jack Mitchell and
John McCrone - affectionately known by Subway staff as Jack and Victor
after the Still Game TV characters - just two days to learn how to use
their latest pieces of kit.

The pair have been working as neighbourhood officers on the network for
18 months.

PC Mitchell said: "These cameras aren't for everyday use, but at big
events such as tonight's football match, where 20% of the fans will use
the Subway, they will be invaluable.

"The majority travel to and from Ibrox safely and sensibly. However,
there's a minority who want to cause trouble.

"We're determined to stamp it out and these cameras will be another tool
that will enable us to do that."

The cameras will be on trial over the next two months. If successful, they
are likely to be rolled out to other officers based at Central and Queen
Street stations, and could be used at other big events such as concerts at
Hampden and next year's Open golf tournament at Turnberry in Ayrshire.

James H

zolita1908

Trains to ‘fly’ flag (Evening Times)

SCOTLAND'S trains are to be given a facelift with the country's national flag.

The rail network is to be rebranded with its first uniform look using saltire livery.

Stations will also be revamped using a dark blue colour scheme and blue signs similar to those at Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.

Transport Scotland say they want the country's trains to have the same connection as red buses have in London.
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The work will be carried out during routine re-painting to avoid extra costs.

The move has led to some accusations that the SNP government is using the rebrand to push the independence message.

However transport chiefs insist the plans were on the table before the party came to power.

They said the rebranding aimed to provide the country's railways with a livery that will not change each time a new company takes over.

Passenger watchdogs said the saltire livery would reduce confusion and save money in the long term.

Robert Samson, the Scotland manager for Passenger Focus, said: "It will help bring uniformity, because there is a mishmash of First ScotRail and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport livery now, and different signs all over the place.

"The new livery gives Scotland's railways a national identity without being Nationalist."

The look is due to be launched next month to mark the 25th anniversary of the ScotRail name being coined by British Rail. The saltire livery, which will also be extended to train interiors, will cover 260 trains across the country.

Gary Brogan, the head of franchise futures of Transport Scotland, said: "We aim to create a brand which is independent of the franchisee."

cybers

Magic we just got Gold trains on our Airdrie (soon), Bathgate, Edinburgh stretch now they are to be redone with something a little more patriotic.
Bout time too....
The blue train will be returning to Belgrove

james73

Rail route to re-open early after major work (Evening Times)

COMMUTERS in Glasgow will get back on track earlier than expected after
railworks were completed early.

Services on the major Cathcart Circle line in the South Side were not
expected to return to normal until this weekend after engineers were sent
in to repair empty mine shafts near Pollokshields East station.

But services will now be restored from Thursday - even after rail bosses
took advantage of the closure to carry out other repairs.

Five stations, including Queens Park, Crosshill, Mount Florida and Cathcart
were closed completely by the work to fill in 800sq m of abandoned
mineworks discovered near the Tramway theatre.

Maintenance crews including specialist contractors worked round the
clock, lifting tracks and removing the gantries supporting power cables
before they could carry out the vital work.

David Simpson, Network Rail route director for Scotland, said: "The team
at Pollokshields East has done a fantastic job in tackling what was a
considerable threat to the long-term viability of the Cathcart Circle line.

"We would also like to thank passengers for their patience during this
disruption."

Maintenance crews working with train operator FirstScotrail gave stations
a fresh coat of paint and repaired long-term damage to station buildings
along the route as part of the £2.4million programme.

The train company came under fire when repairs started on July 22 after
if failed to provide an effective service into Glasgow Central from the
affected stations.

A limited shuttle bus, terminating at Pollok-shields was largely snubbed by
commuters who flooded bus services, leading First in Glasgow to supply
extra buses.

James H

james73

Scottish poet going underground (BBC)

A poet-in-residence has been hired to work on Glasgow's underground
system.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said John Rice would develop
works for the subway system and wider community over the next nine
months.

His £13,500 contract will see 40 hours per week split between personal
writing and project work.

Mr Rice's poems will be displayed on the subway concourse. He will also
run a series of reading and writing workshops in schools and libraries.

SPT said the project was the first of its kind for public transport in
Scotland and would "enhance the travelling experience and encourage
enjoyment of poetry for all ages".

Mr Rice, who presently lives in England, was born in Glasgow's Possilpark
area.

James H

Stuball

Allow me to be the first to say...

What a bleedin waste of money!

james73

Stations get upgrades to help disabled (Evening Times)

DISABLED access will be improved at two railway stations in Glasgow as
part of a £39million funding boost.

Easterhouse and Hyndland are among the latest stations to benefit from
the Department for Transport's drive to upgrade access.

A report by Network Rail, on behalf of Transport Scotland, will be carried
out to determine how much funding should be allocated to each.

The feasibility study will also look into exactly what improvements need to
be made at the stops.

Some of the options being considered include installing lifts and ramps for
disabled people, providing low-level ticket facilities for wheelchair users
and ensuring adequate disabled parking is in place.

Rail Minister and Glasgow South MP Tom Harris announced the plans at
Mount Florida station.

It has received £1.1m under the Access for All scheme, which is funding
improvements at Scotland's stations over the next seven years.

Mr Harris said: "We want to encourage more people to travel by train - so
it is important we ensure the rail network is accessible to everyone."

Robert Sampson, of rail watchdog Passenger Focus Scotland, said: "A lot
of stations in Scotland date back to Victorian times - some are more than
140 years old.

"This work will now help bring them into the 20th century, let alone the
21st century, to the benefit of all passengers - particularly disabled
people."

Mount Florida is one of five railway stations in Scotland now benefiting
from the Access for All funding. Barrhead (£1.4m), Dalmuir (£2.7m),
Motherwell (£2.5m) and Rutherglen (£1.3m) are also getting
improvements.

James H

james73

We're gearing up for Car Free Day (SPT)

Leave your car at home on national Car Free Day and have a free breakfast
on us.

The event, on 22 September, is part of European Mobility Week (16-22
September) and aims to encourage people onto public transport, bicycles
or to walk.

As well as saving money, being car free is the greener and healthier way
to get to work.

As an added incentive for Strathclyde residents to leave their vehicles at
home, we're offering a free breakfast for travellers on our Subway
network.

Passengers boarding at Buchanan Street, Shields Road, St Enoch or
Kelvinbridge stations between 07:00 and 09:00 on 22 September will be
offered a goodie-bag.

It will contain products and vouchers from event sponsors MacB fruit-
flavoured drinks, Stoats porridge oat bars, Bradford bakers, James
Mackie fresh fruit supplier, Subway sandwiches and Greggs bakers.

The free gifts will be given out at Fuelling Stations set up at these
locations – with information about switching to public transport on hand.

There will also be a carnival atmosphere in stations with upbeat morning
songs from live performers to brighten up the daily commute.

James H

james73

Mobile deal is talk of underground (Evening Times)

COMMUTERS in Glasgow will be the first in the UK to be able to use their
mobile phones in underground stations.

The new deal will allow Subway passengers to call and text while waiting
on the platform from early December.

However, the move in five of the busiest stations in the city will initially be
limited to O2 customers.

If successful it could be rolled out at London Underground stations in the
future.

O2 said it is the first mobile phone operator in the UK to employ the
"multi-user distributed antenna system" which enables mobile phones to
work underground.

Chief technology officer Derek McManus said: "This new technology will
enable customers to make calls, send and receive text messages and
access a host of data services while on the subway platform.

"This is the first time that any mobile phone network in the UK has
implemented a service like this and O2 is delighted to be giving its
customers the first chance to communicate on the underground."

The service will operate at Buchanan Street, St Enoch, Kelvinbridge,
Hillhead and Partick stations from December and could be potentially
lucrative for the mobile phone network.

James H

james73

Safety blitz at Central (Evening Times)

TRANSPORT police have sent a clear signal to thugs - crime in Central Station
will not be tolerated.

Officers launched a crackdown on criminals carrying weapons and drugs in
the city's busiest transport hub.

The Evening Times joined police as they carried out Operation Shield - a
mass stop-and-search exercise.

During a four-hour blitz cops used an airport-style metal detector to scan
almost 200 commuters.

And police bosses vowed they will not let up on criminals who put passengers'
lives at risk.

Sergeant Graham Hart, leading the operation, said: "We are sending a
message of reassurance to the public but we are also letting people know
we are alert to criminals carrying weapons and we will not stand for it.

"This is the second operation of its type we have carried out in Central
Station and it will not be the last.

"Criminals who carry weapons on our transport system will be caught and
punished."

Last month we told how violent crime rates in Central Station had rocketed
while clear-up rates plunged. And almost one third of violent crime and knife
attacks in the station were going undetected.

But police vowed to use Operation Shield to increase their presence in
Central Station to push up clear-up rates.

James H