ScotRail has taken another important step to building the best railway Scotland has ever had with the introduction of the latest new Hitachi class 385 electric train.

The introduction of the new train on Monday, 27 August means that more than 25 per cent of services on the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk High route will be operated by class 385 trains.

These new trains will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and better services for ScotRail customers.

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.

Key elements of the overall investment programme include:

• Significantly upgraded stations along the route, including the redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street;
• More electrification in 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.

Earlier this year ScotRail introduced class 365 ‘happy’ trains between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh, which boosted capacity by more than 17,200 seats a day.

Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance Managing Director, 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 Hitachi class 385 electric trains.

“We are committed to building the best railway Scotland has ever had and this investment will help to deliver that.

“These trains will benefit customers all across the country, as they will allow us to move trains currently running between Edinburgh and Glasgow out across the network. This will help us to deliver faster journeys, more seats, and better services for our customers.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:

“The introduction of more of the new fleet of C385 electric trains will provide extra seats and allow more passengers to enjoy the modern facilities on board between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Scottish Government’s on-going commitment to Scotland’s railways is making a real difference and the continuing programme of electrification across the Central Belt will enable more people to use the new trains, which have already proved to be very popular.

“I know that Hitachi and ScotRail staff are continuing to work hard to deliver the remainder of the fleet which, when they come into service, will help increase overall seating capacity by more than 23 per cent across the Scottish network.”