ScotRail has celebrated the one-year anniversary of it's Class 385 Express trains entering passenger service.
To mark the occasion, the train operator handed out cupcakes to customers, as well as provide some onboard entertainment.
The first electric Class 385 train entered passenger service on the Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley via Falkirk High line on Tuesday, 24 July 2018.
Since then, ScotRail has introduced 62 from a total of 70 trains, operating on nine different routes across Central Scotland, including:
- Glasgow Queen Street – Edinburgh Waverley via Falkirk High
- Glasgow Queen Street – Edinburgh Waverley via Falkirk Grahamston
- Glasgow Queen Street – Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa
- Edinburgh Waverley – Dunblane
- Edinburgh Waverley – North Berwick and Dunbar
- Glasgow Central – Edinburgh Waverley via Shotts
- Glasgow Central – Glasgow Central (Cathcart Circle)
- Glasgow Central – Lanark
- Glasgow Central – Inverclyde
In December 2018, ScotRail delivered the first 42-minute journeys between Glasgow and Edinburgh with the new trains.
What did the officials say?
ScotRail Engineering Director Syeda Ghufran said:
“The introduction of our brand-new Class 385 trains one year ago today has not only improved journey times, but also provided a better experience for our customers.
“As we celebrate this anniversary, it's great to see that we're now preparing to run eight-carriage trains for the first time.
“The investment ScotRail and Network Rail is making to modernise Scotland's Railway, and introduce new and upgraded trains, means faster journeys, more seats, and more services for our customers.”
Hitachi Rail General Manager of Scotland Tim Olton said:
“These electric trains are performing extremely well, easing congestion and proving popular with passengers.
“The fleet's successful introduction is testament to the hard work of our dedicated maintenance team in Edinburgh.
“Working with ScotRail and Transport Scotland on a day-to-day basis has ensured this train is one of UK's most reliable new trains.”
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I think ScotRail will receive all 70 Class 385s before the end of this year. With the possibility of ordering 10 more additional 3-Car Class 385s if Abellio was to extend the ScotRail franchise to mid/late 2025. As most of the Class 385s have already started service last year.