Signalling:Borders Railway 2015
Welcome to scot-rail.co.uk, Scotland's online railway community. The group is for any rail enthusiast interested in the railways and trains of Scotland. It not only consists of the wiki that you're reading now, but a busy online forum and mailing list, which is accessible to anyone who registers. If you would like to join in, all you have to do is register with us for free.
Breadcrumb navigation
The Borders Railway - Description of the Scheme
Explanation of Symbols
The Borders Railway project restores railway services between Edinburgh Waverley and the area surrounding Galashiels. A new railway is provided between the new Newcraighall North Junction and King’s Gate with the remainder of the line built upon the formation of the former ‘Waverley’ railway route between King’s Gate and Tweedbank. The route, which was closed to passenger traffic in 1969, was originally the direct line from Edinburgh to Carlisle via Hawick.
The new Line of Route will be engineers line reference (ELR) SBO
SC164 – Newcraighall North Jn. to Tweedbank and the mileage is 4m 1386yds to 35m 749yds.
The new railway is predominantly single track with three intermediate, twin-track sections of sufficient length to permit trains in either direction to pass each other at the designated line speed.
These are located between Newcraighall South Jn. And King’s Gate, Fushiebridge Jn and Tynehead Jn and Galabank Jn and Bowland Jn.
The Up direction is from Newcraighall toward Tweedbank, and the down direction is from Tweedbank toward Newcraighall.
The Milepost mileage originates at Edinburgh (Waverley Bridge), and runs via the Shawfair deviation to Tweedbank.
The new route is controlled from Edinburgh IECC Workstation 2. Signals with prefix EM are controlled by the Millerhill interlocking, and signals with prefix EMB are controlled from the Borders interlocking.
The Borders interlocking (from Shawfair Station to Tweedbank station) will use axle counters for train detection. The majority of the Borders Railway will utilise two aspect signalling. GSM-R communication is provided throughout the new route.
The Borders Railway is not equipped for electric traction.
The line was commissioned and handed over for driver training on Monday 8 June 2015.
Passenger services commenced on Sunday 6 September 2015.
Shawfair
A new 2 platform station is provided at Shawfair (5M 1400yds).
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
Eskbank
A new single platform station is provided at Eskbank (8M 550yds). The platform is on the left of drivers in the Up direction.
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
Newtongrange
A new single platform station is provided at Newtongrange (9M 1270yds). The platform is on the left of drivers in the Up direction.
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
Gorebridge
A new single platform station is provided at Gorebridge (11M 1690yds). The platform is on the right of drivers in the Up direction.
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
An OFF indicator is provided on the platform relating to signal EMB276 in the Up direction.
Stow
A new 2 platform station is provided at Stow (26M 1000yds).
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
Galashiels
A new single platform staion is provided at Galashiels (33M 480yds). The platform is on the right of drivers in the Up direction.
Platforms are 221 metres in length.
Tweedbank
A new island style 2 platform station is provided at Tweedbank (35M 560yds).
The platforms are 228 metres in length.
Train Ready to start (TRTS) equipment is provided on the platforms.
All new main aspect signals are LED search light type.
Most of the controlled signal are capable of displaying only red or green aspects.
Distant signals (denoted by a white triangle on a black background) are capable of displaying a yellow or green aspect.
Down direction Signal EM21 (5M 515yds) protecting Newcraighall South Jn is capable of displaying a red, yellow or green aspect.
Down direction Signal EM275 (12M 1024yds) protecting Fushiebridge Jn is capable of displaying a red, yellow or green aspect
Up direction Signal EMB244 (35M 108yds) on the approach to Tweedbank station is capable of displaying a red or yellow aspect. Numeric route indicators are provided. A subsidiary position light for calling on moves allows for platform sharing.
The line speed signage is applicable only to Class 158 and Class 170 DMUs and the axle loading 'Route Availability' of the line is designated as RA3.
All locomotive hauled trains are limited to a maximum of speed of 55mph with additional restrictions over structures for certain classes of locos:
RA5 = Class 37 locos (no specific bridge restrictions)
RA7 = Class 66 and class 37/7 locos
RA8 = Class 67 locos
RA9 (assumed) for A1 & A4 steam locomotives
Between Heriot & Galabank Junction
Bridge UB011/052 = 55mph @ RA7; 30mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/053 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/054 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/056 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/060 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/061 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8; 20mph @ RA9
Bridge UB011/065 = 55mph @ RA7; 30mph @ RA8; 20mph @ RA9
Bridge UB011/067 = 20mph @ RA7/8/9
(all over bridges over Gala Water)
Between Stow & Bowshank
Bridge UB011/070 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
(Ludgate Water)
Bridge UB011/072 = 20mph @ RA7/8/9
(Gala Water at Ferniehurst)
Bridge UB011/074 = 30mph @ RA8/9?
(Gala Water at Bowshank)
 |  |  |  |  |
Explanation of Symbols
Description of the Scheme
The Borders Railway project restores railway services between Edinburgh Waverley and the area surrounding Galashiels. A new railway is provided between the new Newcraighall North Junction and King’s Gate with the remainder of the line built upon the formation of the former ‘Waverley’ railway route between King’s Gate and Tweedbank. The route, which was closed to passenger traffic in 1969, was originally the direct line from Edinburgh to Carlisle via Hawick.
The new Line of Route will be engineers line reference (ELR) SBO
SC164 – Newcraighall North Jn. to Tweedbank and the mileage is 4m 1386yds to 35m 749yds.
The new railway is predominantly single track with three intermediate, twin-track sections of sufficient length to permit trains in either direction to pass each other at the designated line speed.
These are located between Newcraighall South Jn. And King’s Gate, Fushiebridge Jn and Tynehead Jn and Galabank Jn and Bowland Jn.
The Up direction is from Newcraighall toward Tweedbank, and the down direction is from Tweedbank toward Newcraighall.
The Milepost mileage originates at Edinburgh (Waverley Bridge), and runs via the Shawfair deviation to Tweedbank.
The new route is controlled from Edinburgh IECC Workstation 2. Signals with prefix EM are controlled by the Millerhill interlocking, and signals with prefix EMB are controlled from the Borders interlocking.
The Borders interlocking (from Shawfair Station to Tweedbank station) will use axle counters for train detection. The majority of the Borders Railway will utilise two aspect signalling. GSM-R communication is provided throughout the new route.
The Borders Railway is not equipped for electric traction.
The line was commissioned and handed over for driver training on Monday 8 June 2015.
Passenger services commenced on Sunday 6 September 2015.
New Stations
Shawfair
A new 2 platform station is provided at Shawfair (5M 1400yds).
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
Eskbank
A new single platform station is provided at Eskbank (8M 550yds). The platform is on the left of drivers in the Up direction.
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
Newtongrange
A new single platform station is provided at Newtongrange (9M 1270yds). The platform is on the left of drivers in the Up direction.
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
Gorebridge
A new single platform station is provided at Gorebridge (11M 1690yds). The platform is on the right of drivers in the Up direction.
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
An OFF indicator is provided on the platform relating to signal EMB276 in the Up direction.
Stow
A new 2 platform station is provided at Stow (26M 1000yds).
Platforms are 164 metres in length.
Galashiels
A new single platform staion is provided at Galashiels (33M 480yds). The platform is on the right of drivers in the Up direction.
Platforms are 221 metres in length.
Tweedbank
A new island style 2 platform station is provided at Tweedbank (35M 560yds).
The platforms are 228 metres in length.
Train Ready to start (TRTS) equipment is provided on the platforms.
Signals
All new main aspect signals are LED search light type.
Most of the controlled signal are capable of displaying only red or green aspects.
Distant signals (denoted by a white triangle on a black background) are capable of displaying a yellow or green aspect.
Down direction Signal EM21 (5M 515yds) protecting Newcraighall South Jn is capable of displaying a red, yellow or green aspect.
Down direction Signal EM275 (12M 1024yds) protecting Fushiebridge Jn is capable of displaying a red, yellow or green aspect
Up direction Signal EMB244 (35M 108yds) on the approach to Tweedbank station is capable of displaying a red or yellow aspect. Numeric route indicators are provided. A subsidiary position light for calling on moves allows for platform sharing.
Reversing Movements
Car Stop markers at Tynehead and Bowland Junctions - these markers are located 90 metres (3 car) and 160 metres (6 car) on the Tweedbank side of the signals, used for the reversing movements from signals EMB267 & EMB251.Locomotive Speed Restrictions
The line speed signage is applicable only to Class 158 and Class 170 DMUs and the axle loading 'Route Availability' of the line is designated as RA3.
All locomotive hauled trains are limited to a maximum of speed of 55mph with additional restrictions over structures for certain classes of locos:
RA5 = Class 37 locos (no specific bridge restrictions)
RA7 = Class 66 and class 37/7 locos
RA8 = Class 67 locos
RA9 (assumed) for A1 & A4 steam locomotives
Between Heriot & Galabank Junction
Bridge UB011/052 = 55mph @ RA7; 30mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/053 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/054 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/056 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/060 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
Bridge UB011/061 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8; 20mph @ RA9
Bridge UB011/065 = 55mph @ RA7; 30mph @ RA8; 20mph @ RA9
Bridge UB011/067 = 20mph @ RA7/8/9
(all over bridges over Gala Water)
Between Stow & Bowshank
Bridge UB011/070 = 30mph @ RA7; 20mph @ RA8/9
(Ludgate Water)
Bridge UB011/072 = 20mph @ RA7/8/9
(Gala Water at Ferniehurst)
Bridge UB011/074 = 30mph @ RA8/9?
(Gala Water at Bowshank)