Route Availability
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The Route Availability (RA) system is a measure of a railway vehicle's axle load. The higher the axle load of a vehicle, the higher the RA number on a scale from 1 to 10.
Each Network Rail route has an RA Number, and no vehicle with a higher RA number may travel on that route without special clearance.
If special clearance is given speed restrictions may apply when crossing specified underbridges.
The running of more than two locomotives coupled together is also subject to restrictions, and is prohibited on some routes.
Class 67 locomotives have a particularly heavy axle load, and their top speed is limited on all routes in Scotland.
Passenger carrying rolling stock generally has an axle load of less than 14 tonnes and is classified RA 1.
The RA of wagons will vary dependant on the load carried. Empty Wagons are mostly RA1. Wagons fully loaded with bulk cargoes (such as coal, oil, cement and ballast) generally have axle weights between 21.6 and 25.4 tonnes and route availability RA 8 - RA 10.
All routes in Scotland can take axle weights up to 19 tonnes (RA 5).
Locomotive Route Availability
RA 5: Class 08, 09, 20, 31/1, 31/6, 37/0, 37/4, 37/5, 37/6, 55, HST
RA 6: Class 31/4, 33, 40, 47, 50, 57, 86, 87
RA 7: Class 37/7, 45, 56, 60, 66, 90, 91, 92
RA 8: Class 67
Class 66 and Class 67 locomotive clearance:
Y = Locos permitted
R = Locos permitted, but subject to speed restrictions. Double heading prohibited
Notes:
Routes marked 'Goods Line' are not normally available to trains in passenger service.
+ Wagons of higher RA permitted, but subject to speed restrictions.
% SC011: Maximum 2 coupled locos between Wishaw and Holytown
% SC031: Coupled length of locos not to exceed 50 metres
% SC059: Maximum 2 coupled locos south of Girvan
% SC099: Maximum 2 coupled locos Whifflet North Jn to Langloan Jn
% SC109: Maximum 2 coupled locos between Carmuirs West and Polmont Junction
% SC119: Maximum 2 coupled locos between Greenhill Upper and Lower Junctions
% SC143: Maximum 2 coupled locos between Craigendoran and Fort William
% SC171: Maximum 2 coupled locos over Forth Bridge
% SC171: Double heading prohibited on Tay Bridge
% SC193: Coupled length of locos not to exceed 50 metres
% SC195: Coupled length of locos not to exceed 50 metres
% SC203: Coupled length of locos not to exceed 50 metres
£ SC059: Ayr - Stranraer was RA 8 until 30.Sep.2008
£ SC171: Parts of Edinburgh - Dundee line were RA 10 until 30.Sep.2008
£ SC173: Inverkeithing - Cowdenbeath was RA 10 until 30.Sep.2008
£ SC173: Inverkeithing Curve was RA 10 until 30.Sep.2008
£ SC181: Ladybank - Hilton Jn was RA 10 until 30.Sep.2008
$ SC067: RA 6 locos (Class 33, 47, 57) have visited Wemyss Bay
$ SC141: RA 6 locos (Class 33, 40, 47, 50, 57) have visited Fort William
$ SC143: RA 7 loco (Class 66) has visited Dalmally
$ SC143: RA 6 locos (Class 33) have visited Taynuilt
$ SC145: RA 6 locos (Class 33, 40, 47, 50) have visited Mallaig
$ SC149: RA 6 locos (Class 47) have visited North Berwick
$ SC149: RA 7 locos (Class 90) have visited North Berwick
$ SC203: RA 6 locos (Class 40, 47, 50, 57) have visited Wick
$ SC205: RA 6 locos (Class 40, 47, 50, 57) have visited Kyle of Lochalsh
$ SC207: RA 6 locos (Class 40, 47, 50, 57) have visited Thurso
Each Network Rail route has an RA Number, and no vehicle with a higher RA number may travel on that route without special clearance.
If special clearance is given speed restrictions may apply when crossing specified underbridges.
The running of more than two locomotives coupled together is also subject to restrictions, and is prohibited on some routes.
Class 67 locomotives have a particularly heavy axle load, and their top speed is limited on all routes in Scotland.
Passenger carrying rolling stock generally has an axle load of less than 14 tonnes and is classified RA 1.
The RA of wagons will vary dependant on the load carried. Empty Wagons are mostly RA1. Wagons fully loaded with bulk cargoes (such as coal, oil, cement and ballast) generally have axle weights between 21.6 and 25.4 tonnes and route availability RA 8 - RA 10.
All routes in Scotland can take axle weights up to 19 tonnes (RA 5).
Locomotive Route Availability
RA 5: Class 08, 09, 20, 31/1, 31/6, 37/0, 37/4, 37/5, 37/6, 55, HST
RA 6: Class 31/4, 33, 40, 47, 50, 57, 86, 87
RA 7: Class 37/7, 45, 56, 60, 66, 90, 91, 92
RA 8: Class 67
| LoR Code | Line of Route Description . | OLE | RA Number | Class 66 | Class 67 | Notes |
| SC001 | Gretna Junction - Larkfield Junction (via Beattock) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | Larkfield Junction - Glasgow Central | 25kV | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC003 | Carstairs South Junction - Haymarket East Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC005 | Carstairs Station Junction - Carstairs East Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC007 | Midcalder Junction - Holytown Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC009 | Lanark - Lanark Junction | 25kV | RA 5 | 66-Y | - | |
| SC011 | Law Junction - Uddingston Junction (via Holytown) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % |
| SC013 | Wishaw Central Junction - Shieldmuir Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC015 | Mossend East Jn - Mossend North Jn (North Curve) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC017 | Mossend East Jn - Mossend South Jn (East Curve) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC019 | Mossend South Jn - Mossend West Jn (West Curve) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC021 | Coltness - Garriongill Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC023 | Motherwell - Newton, Hamilton Junction (via Hamilton) | 25kV | RA 7 | 66-Y | - | |
| SC024 | Larkhall - Haughhead Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | - | |
| SC025 | Rutherglen Central Junction - Finnieston Junctions | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC027 | Rutherglen West Jn - Rutherglen North Jn (West Curve) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC029 | Larkfield Jn - Shields Jn (including Up Through Terminus) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC031 | Gretna Jn - Muirhouse Central Jn (via Kilmarnock) | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| " | Muirhouse Central Junction - Eglinton Street Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | Eglinton Street Junction - Glasgow Central | 25kV | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC035 | Bank Junction - Knockshinnock | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC036 | Greenburn Junction - Greenburn Opencast | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC037 | Kay Park Junction - Riccarton | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC039 | Kilmarnock - Barrasie | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC043 | Giffen - Lugton | RA 5 | - | - | Non-Operational | |
| SC045 | East Kilbride - Busby Junction | RA 5 | 66-R | - | ||
| SC047 | Muirhouse South Junction - Larkfield Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC049 | Muirhouse Central Junction - Terminus Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC051 | Muirhouse Central Jn - Muirhouse North Jn (via Cathcart Circle) | 25kV | RA 7 | 66-Y | - | |
| SC053 | Neilston - Cathcart West Junction | 25kV | RA 5 | 66-R | - | |
| SC055 | Newton, Hamilton Junction - Cathcart West Junction | 25kV | RA 7 | 66-Y | - | |
| SC057 | Cathcart East Junction - Cathcart North Junction | 25kV | RA 7 | 66-Y | - | |
| SC059 | Glasgow Central - Shields Junction | 25kV | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | Shields Junction - Newton Junction (Ayr) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | Newton Junction - Ayr | 25kV | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | Ayr - Dalrymple Jn | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| " | Dalrymple Jn - Stranraer | RA 5 | - | - | £ | |
| SC061 | Shields Junction - Corkerhill Depot Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | Corkerhill Depot Junction - Paisley Canal | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC063 | Cardonald Junction - Deanside | RA 9 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC065 | Paisley - Bishopton | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | Bishopton - Gourock | 25kV | RA 7 | 66-Y | - | |
| SC067 | Wemyss Bay Junction - Wemyss Bay | 25kV | RA 5 | - | - | $ |
| SC073 | Kilwinning Junction - Fairlie | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | Fairlie - Largs | 25kV | RA 5 | - | - | |
| SC077 | Ardrossan South Beach - Ardrossan Harbour | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC079 | Hunterston - Hunterston Low Level Sidings | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC081 | Byrehill Junction - Dubbs Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC085 | Ayr Harbour - Newton Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC087 | Newton Junction (Ayr) - Mauchline | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC089 | Annbank - Killoch Colliery | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC091 | Dalrymple Junction - Chalmerston | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC093 | Motherwell - Gartsherrie South Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC093 | Gartsherrie South Junction - Greenhill Lower Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC097 | Whifflet South Junction - Sunnyside Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. |
| SC099 | Whifflet North Junction - Rutherglen East Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| SC101 | Coatbridge Junction - Langloan Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC103 | Garnqueen North Junction - Cowlairs West Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC105 | Gartsherrie South Junction - Gartcosh Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC106 | Sighthill West Junction - Cowlairs South Jn (Chord Line) | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC107 | Edinburgh Waverley - Cowlairs West Jn (via Falkirk High) | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| " | Cowlairs West Junction - Glasgow Queen Street | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC109 | Polmont Jn - Greenhill Upper Jn (via Falkirk Grahamston) | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| SC110 | Carmuirs East Junction - Larbert Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC111 | Newbridge Junction - Bathgate | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC113 | Winchburgh Junction - Dalmeny Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC115 | Cowlairs West Junction - Knightswood North Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC115a | Maryhill Park Junction - Anniesland Bay Platform | RA 5 | - | - | ||
| SC116 | Cowlairs East Junction - Cowlairs North Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC117 | Grangemouth Jn - Grangemouth Oil Terminal and Docks | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC119 | Greenhill Upper Junction - Dundee | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| SC123 | Drumgelloch - High Street Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | High Street Junction - Finnieston Junctions | 25kV | RA 5 | 66-R | 67-R | + |
| " | Finnieston Junctions - Hyndland North Junction | 25kV | RA 7 | 66-Y | 67-R | + |
| " | Hyndland North Jn - Craigendoran (via Singer) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| " | Craigendoran Junction - Helensburgh Central | 25kV | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC125 | Hyndland East Junction - Hyndland West Junction | 25kV | RA 7 | 66-Y | - | + |
| " | Hyndland West Junction - Dalmuir (Via Yoker) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC129 | Springburn - Bellgrove Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC131 | High Street Junction - Shields Junction | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC133 | Westerton Junction - Milngavie | 25kV | RA 5 | - | - | |
| SC135 | Dalreoch Junction - Balloch | 25kV | RA 6 | - | - | |
| SC136 | Hyndland North Junction - Hyndland West Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC141 | Craigendoran Junction - Fort William | RA 5 | 66-R | 67-R | + % $ | |
| SC143 | Crianlarich - Oban | RA 5 | - | - | $ | |
| SC145 | Fort William Junction - Annat Pulp Mill GF | RA 5 | 66-R | 67-R | + $ | |
| " | Annat Pulp Mill GF - Mallaig | RA 5 | - | - | $ | |
| SC147 | Berwick - Haymarket East Junction (via Edinburgh Waverley) | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC149 | North Berwick - Drem Junction | 25kV | RA 5 | 66-Y | - | $ |
| SC151 | Portobello Junction - Leith South Yard | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC153 | Craigentinny - Powderhall | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC155 | Monktonhall Junction - Millerhill Yard | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. |
| SC157 | Millerhill South Jn - Millerhill East Jn | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC159 | Millerhill West Jn - Millerhill South Jn | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| " | Millerhill South Jn - Monktonhall Colliery | RA 5 | - | - | Goods Line. | |
| SC161 | Millerhill Yard - Portobello Junction | 25kV | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | |
| SC163 | Portobello Junction - Niddrie West | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC165 | Niddrie South Jn - Haymarket West Jn (Edinburgh Suburban) | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC167 | Craiglockhart Junction - Slateford Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC169 | Gorgie Junction - Haymarket Central Junction | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC171 | Edinburgh Waverley - Haymarket West Jn (North Lines) | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| " | Haymarket West Jn - Dalmeny Jn | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | £ | |
| " | Dalmeny Jn - Inverkeithing South Jn (Forth Bridge) | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| " | Inverkeithing South Jn - Taybridge South (via Kirkcaldy) | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | £ | |
| " | Taybridge South - Dundee Central Jn. (Tay Bridge) | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| SC173 | Inverkeithing Central Junction - Cowdenbeath | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | £ | |
| " | Cowdenbeath - Thornton North Junction | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC175 | Rosyth Dockyard - Inverkeithing South Junction | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC176 | Inverkeithing North Jn - Inverkeithing East Jn | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | £ | |
| SC177 | Thornton North Junction - Methill Power Station | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC178 | Thornton South Jn - Thornton West Jn | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC181 | Ladybank Junction - Hilton Junction | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | £ | |
| SC183 | Stirling - Alloa | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| " | Alloa - Longannet Power Station | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| " | Longannet Power Station - Charlestown Junction | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC189 | Westfield - Redford Junction | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC191 | Dundee - Aberdeen | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC193 | Perth - Perth Yard | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| " | Perth Yard - Millburn Junction | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| " | Millburn Junction - Inverness | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| SC195 | Aberdeen - Inverness | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| SC197 | Kittybrewster Ground Frame - Waterloo Goods | RA 8 | 66-Y | 67-Y | Goods Line. | |
| SC199 | Keith Branch | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | ||
| SC203 | Inverness - Invergordon | RA 10 | 66-Y | 67-Y | % | |
| " | Invergordon - Lairg | RA 5 | 66-R | 67-R | + % $ | |
| " | Lairg - Georgemas Junction | RA 5 | 66-R | - | % $ | |
| " | Georgemas Junction - Wick | RA 5 | - | - | % $ | |
| SC205 | Dingwall - Kyle of Lochalsh | RA 5 | - | - | $ | |
| SC207 | Georgemas Junction - Thurso | RA 5 | 66-R | - | $ | |
Class 66 and Class 67 locomotive clearance:
Y = Locos permitted
R = Locos permitted, but subject to speed restrictions. Double heading prohibited
Notes:
Routes marked 'Goods Line' are not normally available to trains in passenger service.
+ Wagons of higher RA permitted, but subject to speed restrictions.
% SC011: Maximum 2 coupled locos between Wishaw and Holytown
% SC031: Coupled length of locos not to exceed 50 metres
% SC059: Maximum 2 coupled locos south of Girvan
% SC099: Maximum 2 coupled locos Whifflet North Jn to Langloan Jn
% SC109: Maximum 2 coupled locos between Carmuirs West and Polmont Junction
% SC119: Maximum 2 coupled locos between Greenhill Upper and Lower Junctions
% SC143: Maximum 2 coupled locos between Craigendoran and Fort William
% SC171: Maximum 2 coupled locos over Forth Bridge
% SC171: Double heading prohibited on Tay Bridge
% SC193: Coupled length of locos not to exceed 50 metres
% SC195: Coupled length of locos not to exceed 50 metres
% SC203: Coupled length of locos not to exceed 50 metres
£ SC059: Ayr - Stranraer was RA 8 until 30.Sep.2008
£ SC171: Parts of Edinburgh - Dundee line were RA 10 until 30.Sep.2008
£ SC173: Inverkeithing - Cowdenbeath was RA 10 until 30.Sep.2008
£ SC173: Inverkeithing Curve was RA 10 until 30.Sep.2008
£ SC181: Ladybank - Hilton Jn was RA 10 until 30.Sep.2008
$ SC067: RA 6 locos (Class 33, 47, 57) have visited Wemyss Bay
$ SC141: RA 6 locos (Class 33, 40, 47, 50, 57) have visited Fort William
$ SC143: RA 7 loco (Class 66) has visited Dalmally
$ SC143: RA 6 locos (Class 33) have visited Taynuilt
$ SC145: RA 6 locos (Class 33, 40, 47, 50) have visited Mallaig
$ SC149: RA 6 locos (Class 47) have visited North Berwick
$ SC149: RA 7 locos (Class 90) have visited North Berwick
$ SC203: RA 6 locos (Class 40, 47, 50, 57) have visited Wick
$ SC205: RA 6 locos (Class 40, 47, 50, 57) have visited Kyle of Lochalsh
$ SC207: RA 6 locos (Class 40, 47, 50, 57) have visited Thurso