Posted 8th December 2017 | 2 Comments

EGIP goes electric, but new trains must wait until 2018

ELECTRIC trains will start running between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh on Sunday, but the rolling stock will be existing Class 380s from the ScotRail fleet rather than the new Class 385s which are being built by Hitachi.

Class 380s with seven cars will be moved to the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme route via Falkirk High for now. The ScotRail Alliance said it is preparing ‘to welcome brand-new Hitachi Class 385 trains next year’.

Managing director Alex Hynes described it as ‘another key stage’.

From Sunday there will be more seats, and some journeys will be faster. Alex Hynes said: “As we prepare for the arrival of our brand new Hitachi trains next year – which will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and better services – we will start running electric trains from our existing fleet between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High.

“The running of these electric trains from our existing fleet is an important milestone ahead of the arrival of the brand-new Hitachi trains. It’s another key stage in our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.

“Being able to run some services with seven carriages will mean more seats for our customers, and we will also deliver some faster journey times.”

Transport minister Humza Yousaf added: “The introduction of electric services is a key milestone in the Edinburgh – Glasgow Improvement Programme and yet another sign that our £5 billion investment to 2019 is helping build the best railway Scotland has ever had. It also paves the way for the arrival of our new fleet of class 385s, to be phased in over the coming months, offering passengers faster, greener and longer trains.

“I’d like to offer my personal thanks to all the many people who have worked on this significant electrification project as their efforts come to fruition.”

Reader Comments:

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  • Andrew Gwilt, Basildon, Essex

    Can not wait for the Class 385's to enter service from early next year. Hopefully the Class 385's will soon start service from early/mid January.

  • Garth, Dunkeld

    It had already started by Saturday, when I saw a class 334 in Glasgow Queen St., fully loaded.