ScotRail has made another step forward in delivering for its passengers by introducing the first eight-carriage Class 385 trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Built by Hitachi Rail, the Class 385 trains deliver faster journeys, more seats, and better services for ScotRail customers.
Their introduction late in July on the route between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk High has enabled ScotRail to provide more seats than ever before for the Edinburgh Festivals.
The roll-out of the state-of-the-art trains has been made possible by the Scottish Government-funded electrification of the mainline between Scotland's two largest cities and the completion of platform extensions at Glasgow Queen Street station and Edinburgh Waverley delivered by Network Rail Scotland.
It also forms part of Abellio's £475million investment in Scotland's Railway.
What did the officials say?
ScotRail Head of Customer Operations Phil Campbell 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 class 385 electric trains.
“These eight-carriage trains will help us deliver more seats than ever before during the Edinburgh Festivals.
“It's all been made possible by the unprecedented investment in Scotland's Railway over the last few years.”
Where Next?
News Homepage
For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
Framed Prints, DVD's / Blu-Ray's and more
LocoStop Community
Come and share your railway pictures
ScotRail
Visit their website
Next stage is whether ScotRail can introduce 9-Car and possibly 12-Car on some services as the Class 385’s can operate as 3-Car, 4-Car, 6-Car, 7-Car and 8-Car formation. Plus happy birthday to the Class 385s as they have entered service last year. And to order 10 more Class 385s if Abellio is to extend the franchise from next year.
I think Hitachi should continue on manufacturing the AT200 and to manufacture the AT100 “Metro” units which the AT100 could replace the Class 313s used on Southern’s East Coastway and West Coastway routes which could be built as 3-Car DC only units.