First visible signs of electrification appear on Borders railway
Last updated 17th Aug 2026
The electrification of the Borders Railway is starting to take shape, as engineers begin installing the steel masts that will support the overhead wires needed for new battery-electric trains.
It’s part of a £26.2 million Scottish Government investment to electrify 13km of the route between Edinburgh and Tweedbank ahead of the arrival of battery-electric trains - now anticipated to be in the early 2030s.
According to Network Rail, these new fleets will help to deliver "more sustainable, reliable and comfortable journeys for passengers".
While the most noticeable parts of the project are only now appearing along the line, much of the preparation for electrification was completed before the railway reopened in 2015.
Bridges, stations and other infrastructure were designed with future electrification in mind, reducing the need for major reconstruction work today.
Since work began in March, teams have focused on installing the foundations for 350 new strutures to support overhead line structures.
With around half now complete, work is moving on to erecting the steel masts and support arms which people will see between Tweedbank and Bowshank Tunnel near Stow.
Most of the work is taking place overnight and at weekends to minimise disruption for passengers.
Once all structures are in place, attention will turn to installing the wiring, testing the new equipment and final preparations for the introduction of battery-electric trains.
Lynsey Maclean, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “This is an exciting stage of the project because people can now start to see the railway changing.
"A huge amount of work has gone into planning and building the foundations, much of it behind the scenes, so seeing these new structures appear is a real achievement.
“What makes this project unique is that many of the decisions needed for electrification were taken when the railway was rebuilt more than a decade ago. That means we’re able to deliver this significant upgrade with far less disruption than would otherwise have been needed.
“We know the Borders Railway plays an important role in communities across the region. We’re making good progress in this next phase, and I’d like to thank passengers and our neighbours for their patience and understanding as work continues over the coming months.”
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Some late night services were temporarily withdrawn to allow the work to start and people living along the line were warned of the potential for noise and disturbance from lighting or vehicle movement in advance.
The project milestone was marked with a visit last week by MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale, and Lauderdale, Calum Kerr. He said: “The Borders Railway has already transformed connectivity for communities across the region, and these improvements will help make rail travel even more sustainable and reliable."
It comes amid renewed reports of passengers having to stand for much of the journey between the Scottish capital and the Borders due to an increase in passengers during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Meanwhile, the leader of Scottish Borders Council says extending the Borders Railway could transform the region's economy.
Galashiels councillor Euan Jardine has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging him to back the reinstatement of the line to Hawick and Carlisle, as work on a study into its feasibility continues.
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