THE 8km Levenmouth railway around Fife, Scotland which is due to be refurbished and reopened will be double-track and electrified, the Scottish government has confirmed.
However, initially battery electric trains will be used when the lines reopens in 2024, in order to reduce the number of diesel trains on the Scottish network as quickly as possible.
Plans for the reopened railway include 19 single track-km of new railway, two modernised accessible stations, develop options for connection to a nearby heritage railway and to support future freight aspirations.
Existing track will be removed by the end of the year, with station designs due to be completed and planning applications made in the autumn. Main construction works are expected to begin early next year.
Network Rail (NR) is carrying out the design and construction of the line, with projects costs to be confirmed in a Final Business Case due to be delivered by the end of the year.
Project timescales will depend on Fife Council planning processes, NR says.
