ScotRail is introducing a second pair of Class 385s onto the Edinburgh-Glasgow route, doubling the number in passenger traffic from two to four.
The Hitachi-built electric multiple units join 385003, 385104, which were put into service on the Edinburgh-Glasgow route on July 24 (RAIL 858).
Hitachi Rail Global CEO – Rail Alastair Dormer told RAIL that ScotRail had accepted four ‘385s’ for traffic, with a further six undergoing commissioning. All have been fitted with modified windscreens following issues raised by ASLEF (RAIL 849).
Dormer said the plan was that by the end of September, ScotRail would have ‘bought’ eight of the 70 EMUs, and that they would enter traffic roughly one pair per month.
The operator said that a quarter of all its Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High trains will be operated by ‘385s’.
Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance Managing Director, said: “This is another important step forward for ScotRail and I am delighted that more customers will now be able to travel on our brand-new Hitachi class 385 electric trains.
“These trains will benefit customers all across the country, as they will allow us to move trains currently running between Edinburgh and Glasgow out across the network. This will help us to deliver faster journeys, more seats, and better services for our customers.”
Michael Matheson. Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity said: “The introduction of more of the new fleet of ‘385’ electric trains will provide extra seats and allow more passengers to enjoy the modern facilities on board between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
“The Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to Scotland’s railways is making a real difference and the continuing programme of electrification across the Central Belt will enable more people to use the new trains, which have already proved to be very popular.
“I know that Hitachi and ScotRail staff are continuing to work hard to deliver the remainder of the fleet which, when they come into service, will help increase overall seating capacity by more than 23% across the Scottish network.”
- For more on the introduction of the '385s', read RAIL 858, available digitally on Android, iPad and Kindle.
- For the FULL story on the Scottish Government's decision to let the public sector bid for the next ScotRail franchise, read RAIL 861, published on September 12, and available digitally on Android, iPad and Kindle from September 8.
AndrewJG8918 - 27/08/2018 19:09
Some of the Class 385’s could also start operating between Edinburgh Waverley-Berwick North unless ScotRail will retain some of the Class 380’s to be used on the Edinburgh Waverley-North Berwick and the rest to operate in & out of Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street. With the Class 314’s to be replaced by the Class 385’s and Class 318’s, Class 320’s and Class 334’s to be operated on other routes in the Strathclyde area. Aswell Class 380’s and Class 385’s to operate to Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa once the electrification is completed and on the Shotts Line between Edinburgh and Glasgow that electrification is also to be completed. And ScotRail to keep their Class 170’s and Class 158’s DMU units to be used up north in Scotland and between Edinburgh Waverley-Tweedbank and other routes in Scotland and Class 43 HSTs with Mk3 coaches formed 4-Car, 5-Car and 7-Car formation for Intercity routes serving Scotland’s 7 cities. And Class 68’s+Mk3 to operate on the Fife Circle services which could be replaced by more Class 43’s to replace the Class 68’s used on the Fife Circle Line.