ScotRail has announced it has introduced the latest new Hitachi Class 385 electric train.
The introduction of the new train will take place on Monday 27 August 2018 and means that more than 25% of train services on the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High route will be operated by class 385 trains.
These new trains have more seats and are faster than outgoing trains. They are part of the £475 million investment and the £858 million investment by Network Rail to electrify the route.
Key elements of the overall investment programme include:
- Significantly upgraded stations along the route, including the redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street;
- More electrification in the Central Belt, including the route between Glasgow/Edinburgh and Stirling/Dunblane/Alloa;
- Extended platforms at Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley to accommodate longer trains.
What did the officials say?
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.
“We are committed to building the best railway Scotland has ever had and this investment will help to deliver that.
“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.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:
“The introduction of more of the new fleet of C385 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 on-going 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 per cent across the Scottish network.”
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10 more 3-Car Class 385s will be added if Abellio extends the franchise to 7 years or 10 years. That are scheduled to be delivered and in service in 2023. Making a total of 80 Class 385 fleets on ScotRail.
But more Class 385s will be in service with the completion on the Glasgow-Edinburgh via Shotts line and Glasgow/Edinburgh-Stirling-Alloa/Dunblane. With Class 314s being replaced by the Class 385s. And also operating on Edinburgh-North Berwick & Berwick-upon-Tweed. And working alongside the Class 318s, Class 380s, Class 320s and Class 334s on busier routes.