Press release -
Brand new ScotRail and Hitachi electric trains start running this week
The first of the class 385 Express trains will run on the Glasgow Queen Street-Edinburgh Waverley via Falkirk High route from Tuesday, 24 July. The remainder of the new class 385 trains for that route will be phased in over the course of the coming months, before the rollout is extended to other routes across the Central Belt.
The new Hitachi trains are part of ScotRail’s £475 million rolling stock investment, following the £858 million electrification of the line between Edinburgh and Glasgow by Network Rail Scotland.
Key elements of the overall investment programme include:
- Significantly upgraded stations along the route, including the redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street;
- Electrification of 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.
ScotRail recently introduced class 365 ‘happy’ trains between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh, which boosted capacity by more than 17,200 seats a day.
Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Hitachi Rail Europe, said:
“When passengers step on board this first train they’ll find it light, spacious and modern with loads of more seats – up to 130 extra compared to the existing diesel trains.
“And there is more to come. Our UK factory is working tirelessly to deliver the rest of the fleet, which will allow the current 51 minute journey time from Edinburgh and Glasgow to be cut by up to a fifth. Thanks to their high quality Japanese engineering these trains have the best 0-60mph acceleration of any in Scotland.”
ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Alex Hynes said:
“I am delighted that customers will be able to travel on our new Hitachi class 385 electric trains from next week. This is a significant moment as we work to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.
“The investment we are making will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and better services for our customers.”
Roy Brannen, Transport Scotland Chief Executive, said:
“It’s great to see the investment in the class 385 fleet come to fruition with their imminent entry into service. This is another example of partnership working to help make Scotland’s railway the best it has ever been.
“I am sure passengers using these trains will enjoy the extra capacity and improved facilities they will bring.”
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About Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd.
Hitachi Rail employs over 2,000 people and will soon be operational at 15 locations across the UK. In Scotland we are making a strong and long-term commitment to bring new trains, improve depots and safeguard jobs. By 2020 there will be 154 trains carrying passengers in Scotland and we will employ 300 people. Along with the Class 385s on the Central Belt, our next generation Azumas and TransPennine intercity trains will be running to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. These trains will improve connectivity and reliability across Scotland and with the rest of the UK. The majority of these trains are being built at our state-of-the-art factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
Later this year Hitachi Rail will manage and employ 250 staff at Craigentinny depot as part of the 27 ½ year maintenance contract. Scotland’s busiest and biggest depot will become Hitachi Rail’s maintenance and training hub in Scotland, where Hitachi’s Class 385 and LNER Azuma train will be serviced. Managing Craigentinny is part of our wider investment in Scotland, which includes £20 million upgrading depots in Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow so they can maintain modern Hitachi trains.
For more information about the company, please visit: www.Hitachirail-eu.com
