A £20 million project is currently underway to upgrade the overhead power lines on Scotland's very first electrified railway route.

The engineering works will focus on sections of the North Clyde lines, which connect Helensburgh, Balloch, and Milngavie through the low-level stations and west end of Glasgow. As the busiest suburban rail network outside London, the route stands as one of the most critical components of Scotland's overall railway infrastructure.

First switched on in 1960, the initial electrification of the North Clyde lines initiated the era of modern rail travel in Scotland. Decades later, it continues to influence the wider network, with electric train services now operating on the Barrhead and East Kilbride routes, alongside further network electrification expansions currently progressing in Fife and the Scottish Borders.

However, a significant portion of the original equipment serving the North Clyde area is now more than 65 years old and approaching the end of its operational lifespan. This makes a comprehensive renewal essential to ensure trains continue to run safely and reliably.

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Preparatory on-site work has already commenced, focusing on refurbishing the structural equipment that secures the overhead wires, including cantilevers and various other supporting components. The more intensive phase of engineering to replace the actual power wires is scheduled to take place over the Christmas and New Year periods for the next three years. These holiday windows have been selected because passenger numbers are lower, allowing the line to be closed with minimal disruption to everyday travel.

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: "This stretch of railway was where electrification began in Scotland and marked a real turning point. It changed how people travelled around Glasgow and helped shape the network we use today.

"We know how vital this area is to the railway as a whole. A single issue on the North Clyde can quickly affect services well beyond Glasgow, which is why this work is being planned now rather than waiting for more serious failures and wider disruption later.

"This project is about looking after the railway that people rely on every day. By renewing it now, we are helping to make sure it continues to serve passengers and communities long into the future."

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: "The North Clyde routes are a vital part of Scotland's Railway, connecting communities from Argyll and Bute right through to West Lothian, supporting thousands of journeys every day.

"This investment by Network Rail will help improve the long-term reliability of the infrastructure that keeps our electric trains moving.

"We know that some journeys will look a little different when the main body of work takes place later this year, which is why we'll be working closely with Network Rail to keep customers updated, and make sure they have the information they need to plan ahead and travel with confidence."