Rail passengers travelling between Edinburgh and Fife are being urged to plan ahead in January as essential engineering work takes place to electrify part of the route. The nine-day closure, scheduled between January 17 and 25, will affect services between Haymarket and Dalmeny, as Network Rail continues major upgrades under the Fife electrification project. The works are expected to cause some changes to train services operating through Fife, with bus replacements and alternative rail routes being arranged to help keep passengers on the move.

Replacement transport and alternative routes have been agreed with ScotRail, Caledonian Sleeper, LNER and CrossCountry, with full details and travel advice to be issued closer to the time. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time for travel during the works. The electrification scheme forms a key part of the Scottish Government’s wider programme to decarbonise passenger rail services, with the aim of delivering cleaner, quieter and more sustainable journeys across the country.

Journeys with planned changes from 17th-25th January: 

ScotRail 
Edinburgh – Perth (via Kirkcaldy) 
Edinburgh – Dundee/Aberdeen (via Kirkcaldy) 
Edinburgh – Leven (via Kirkcaldy) 
Edinburgh – Leven (via Dunfermline) 
Edinburgh – Cowdenbeath/Glenrothes 

Caledonian Sleeper 
Edinburgh – Dundee/Aberdeen 

LNER 
Edinburgh – Dundee/Aberdeen 

Cross Country 
Edinburgh – Dundee/Aberdeen 

Catherine Hall, strategy and investment director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “Carrying out this important work to enable the electrification of the Fife lines is a significant step forward in our plans for a better and decarbonised railway for Scotland. This will help to pave the way for the introduction of battery-electric trains on these routes which will provide greater capacity and reliability, and more accessible, comfortable, and sustainable journeys.

“Delivering a project of this size and complexity takes time, collaboration, and a huge amount of technical expertise and we would also like to thank our lineside neighbours for their patience and understanding while these works are being carried out. We know that engineering activity can be disruptive, and we’re really grateful for the continued understanding shown by local communities and our passengers, particularly those who will have to plan their journeys in advance while these vital works take place.”

During the planned closure, Network Rail will also carry out additional track re-railing along the route to maximise efficiency and minimise future disruption. The work will support the continued modernisation of the Fife network and prepare the line for the introduction of new battery-electric trains in the coming years.

Image: Network Rail