This week Jon Newey and Mike Vickers had a good lunch at Vu restaurant organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Network Rail. 

Network Rail presented information about their progress with construction of the Airdrie to Bathgate railway line (the A to B line). They gave the assembled group a snapshot of what is complete on the A to B project so far. This was followed by was a brief Q & A session about the wider implications for transport links and business prospects throughout the central belt.

Network Rail mentioned that they have run a number of theoretical models to analyse how passenger numbers might change on various parts of the rail network once the new line is operational. Their assessment suggests that very few people will migrate from using Linlithgow station to using one of the new stations because the Edinburgh to Glasgow line through Linlithgow (the E to G line) will still be the fastest route across the country. Some of the new stations on the A to B line will have more car parking, though....

The main effect for Linlithgow might be that some of the Edinburgh to Glasgow commuters from outlying areas beyond Linlithgow may opt to use the new A to B link so it might be possible for commuters departing from Linlithgow to get a seat in the mornings! Other than that Network rail seemed to expect little impact on Linlithgow other than the peripheral effects such as the strengthening of Bathgate's transport links for business, leisure and commuting opportunities.

The A to B line will be electrified, which means the trains will accelerate and decelerate faster than the diesel trains on the E to G line, but there are many more stops on the A to B line so the overall journey times will still be faster on the E to G. In the longer term Network rail plans to upgrade the E to G line with electric trains, so be prepared for those overhead cable gantries appearing across Linlithgow's sky-line....