Track upgrades at Kilmarnock: buses replace trains between Barrhead and Kilmarnock / Dumfries / Carlisle from Saturday 29 August to Sunday 13 September 

Route(s) affected

ScotRail between Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock / Dumfries / Carlisle, and between Kilmarnock and Ayr / Stranraer

Description

Engineering work is taking place between Barrhead and Dumfries, closing all lines. Background information on the work can be found below.

Saturday 29 August to Friday 11 September:

Glasgow Central – Kilmarnock / Dumfries / Carlisle:

Buses replace trains between Barrhead and Kilmarnock / Dumfries.

Kilmarnock – Ayr – Stranraer:

Monday to Saturday:

Buses operate between Kilmarnock and Troon, where passengers can connect with trains to / from Ayr.

Sunday:

No scheduled services operate between Kilmarnock and Ayr / Stranraer on Sundays.

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September:

Glasgow Central – Kilmarnock / Dumfries / Carlisle:

Buses replace trains between Barrhead and Kilmarnock / Carlisle.

Kilmarnock – Ayr – Stranraer:

Saturday:

Buses operate between Kilmarnock and Troon, where passengers can connect with trains to / from Ayr.

Sunday:

No scheduled services operate between Kilmarnock and Ayre / Stranraer on Sundays.

Background information:

Network Rail Scotland will deliver £13.5m worth of upgrades this summer to modernise the track layout through Kilmarnock station, tackling infrastructure constraints that currently slow trains down. Once complete, the upgrades will allow trains to run faster and more smoothly through Kilmarnock, aiming to deliver more reliable rail services.

The following work will be undertaken during the 16-day line closure:

• Engineers will improve the track layout from the south into platforms 3 and 4, allowing trains to enter the station at higher speeds

• For southbound services leaving platform 4, sections of track will be rebuilt and simplified to reduce wear on equipment and improve day‑to‑day reliability

• On platform 3, part of the track that allows trains to change lines is being moved further away from the station, giving southbound trains a smoother and quicker exit

Project facts and figures:

• During the project, engineers will install 5.5 kilometres of new rail

• 3,200 new concrete sleepers will be laid, with around 800 existing sleepers reused

• Around 7,500 tonnes of ballast, the stone that supports the track, will be replaced

• 31 engineering trains will operate over the 16‑day period, with two large rail cranes used

More information is available on the Network Rail website.

Check before you travel:

You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner.

Replacement bus travel advice:

For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.

You can find the pick-up and drop-off location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.

Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.