Approval has been given for Class 385s to enter traffic with ScotRail (SR) this month.

The Office of Rail and Road gave formal acceptance for the Hitachi-built trains last week following modifications to the original windscreen design.

The trains will be modified by Knorr-Bremse Rail Services (KBRS) at Springburn. This follows trials with 385004, which was fitted with two designs. A flatter windscreen has been favoured.

Drivers’ union ASLEF has accepted the design, and the trains will enter traffic with SR on the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High route. They were due to enter service in December 2017.

The Class 385s are still undergoing thorough final internal testing and preparatory work before they can enter into passenger service. Hitachi said this was going well, but that each train must complete 2,000 miles of fault-free running.

Andy Radford, Programme Manager, Hitachi Rail said: “Getting the green light for new trains is a massive milestone for the project. It has been achieved by all parties involved working collaboratively towards the same goal.”

  • For the FULL story, read RAIL 857, published on July 18, and available digitally from July 14.