Posted 19th May 2014 | 6 Comments

ScotRail md hails launch of new electric service

ELECTRIC trains have entered service on the 50km Glasgow to Cumbernauld line, after an £80 million upgrade of the route. The number of trains each day has risen from 36 to 59, and the seating capacity has more than doubled to 11,500.

Scottish transport minister Keith Brown joined commuters on the route this morning. He said: "The launch of these electric services is a huge milestone for the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme and the Cumbernauld electrification has been delivered on time, on budget and well ahead of this summer’s Commonwealth Games, as promised.

“EGIP is one of the biggest infrastructure investments by this government and a central part of our ambition to ensure a railway which is fit for Scotland’s future. It will result in 30 per cent more seats and around 20 per cent faster journey times on our flagship route."

As well as electrification, EGIP also includes station modernisations at Haymarket and Glasgow Queen Street as well as a new station at Cumbernauld.

Mr Brown continued: "All the partners involved have worked well to get to this stage and we are now getting to see these exciting plans beginning to come to life.”

ScotRail managing director Steve Montgomery welcomed the start of the new service, saying: “The electrification of the Cumbernauld-Glasgow line is a major step forward for this exciting project, and one that delivers real benefits for customers.

“More than 800,000 journeys are made on this route each year and I have no doubt this will continue to grow now that we are introducing more modern, regular and reliable trains."

David Dickson, Network Rail's new route managing director for Scotland, added:  “We are pleased to have been able to deliver another significant part of the strategically-vital Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme on time, on budget and in readiness for the Commonwealth Games.

“We are making good progress elsewhere in developing plans for the electrification of the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line and with the redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street."

Meanwhile, it is being reported that an announcement about the new, separate Caledonian Sleeper franchise is imminent, with Serco said to be leading the field with a 'luxury' bid. The other contenders are Arriva and ScotRail's existing operator FirstGroup.

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • Willie Erskine, Renfrew

    In response to jim Gilbert. When the Falkirk lines are wired it will make no difference to the Cumbernauld line as the Scottish Government (SNP) decided to cut the chord connection from the mainline to the Cumbernauld line. The reason it takes longer to Glasgow now is because the trains reverse at Springburn and travel to queen street low level. Capacity constraints at Queen street high level will prevent Cumbernauld services ever returning here.

  • John Gilbert, Cradley, Herefordshire

    Just another and final point. It is interesting to note the sour comment from the south-east of England...where countless millions are being spent on train services. They really must get used to the idea that there are other places north of Watford! Also that, thank goodness, rail services in Scotland are none of their business any longer.

  • John Gilbert, Cradley, Herefordshire

    The main point is that another part of the central belt network is now electrified. This another and logical step along the road to full electrification of this area and is to be applauded. Tweaking of the service patterns etc. will follow in due course - especially if people protest - and in any case things will change again when the Falkirk lines are wired. However I do hope that the line to East Kilbride will not be without wires for much longer - it has seemed to be the poor relation! I wonder why?

  • Lutz, London

    Is this level of investment justified on a route that has a ridership of only 800,000?

  • Jim Mason, Stepps

    "Real benefits for customers"? Journey time increased across the board - a previous 12 minute journey from Stepps to Glasgow Queen Street to 30 minutes yesterday. I would love to know what the benefit to customers electrification actually brings.

  • Johnny brown, Cumbernauld

    It's good we have electric trains now, but they will take 10 mins longer to glasgow. The fastest train to glasgow will still be the diesel train from Falkirk which calls at Cumbernauld. It's a shame the snp cut back the programme which would have allowed electric trains to divert from edinburgh glasgow line via Cumbernauld with the new curve, plus the electrification to Stirling.

    This story is about Cumbernauld becoming electrified. The politician is diverting the story towards the benefits envisaged on the main glasgow queen street to edinburgh line. The main benefit at Cumbernauld is an extra train per hour to Glasgow and the extra capacity. Just tell it like it is and gain more respect. It is a good news story after all.