‘385s’ face further delay for new windscreens to be fitted
HITACHI has confirmed to RAIL that new windscreens are to be fitted to ScotRail’s new Class 385s, which are already late entering traffic because of infrastructure problems.
The Japanese manufacturer is building 70 electric multiple units for SR. These were due to enter traffic last year, but infrastructure delays prevented their main line testing. Once that began, drivers’ union ASLEF said modifications were needed to the windscreens, and that unless these were made the drivers would not drive the units.
On April 4, a Hitachi spokesman told RAIL: “We are currently working with manufacturers and partners on viable solutions. Once the solution is agreed, windscreens will undergo rigorous testing - working with ScotRail, regulators and unions - before the trains enter service.”
No date for this has been provided by either the manufacturer or the operator.
ScotRail spokesman Angus Duncan said recent reports of delays of 12-18 months for the trains were false, telling RAIL: “The ‘385s’ will be in service as soon as Hitachi has resolved the problems, and testing is completed successfully.”
Speaking in February, when the windscreen problems were discovered, Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF’s organiser in Scotland, said: “The windscreen is curved and, at night, is making drivers see two signals. It’s like looking through a fish bowl all the time.”
Lindsay said this was highlighted during a recent test run between Glasgow Central and Paisley Gilmour Street. Prior to departure, drivers reported seeing a reflection of the signals on the right-hand side, and the effect was even more noticeable once the vehicle was moving.
SR confirmed it is looking at alternative stock in the interim, but declined to comment on what this might be, although multiple RAIL sources suggested redundant Class 365s will be sent north. These are owned by Eversholt Rail, with eight stored at Ely Potters Group. These EMUs remain leased to Govia Thameslink Railway until next year, so any deal would need approval from the Department for Transport.
SR is also due to release diesel multiple units to Northern, as a result of the introduction of EMUs on the Edinburgh-Glasgow route. Currently electric services are provided by Class 380s, but ScotRail needs those on different routes south of the River Clyde to enable the withdrawal of Class 314s dating from 1979.
Seventy Class 385s were ordered by Transport Scotland in October 2014 for the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme. There are 24 fourcar (385101-385124) and 46 three-car sets (385001-385046) on order.
Initially they will operate between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk, but will also operate Glasgow-Cumbernauld-Falkirk Grahamston, Edinburgh-North Berwick, Edinburgh/Glasgow Queen Street-Dunblane/Stirling/ Alloa, Glasgow Central-Newton/ Neilston/Cathcart Circle and Edinburgh-Glasgow Central via Shotts.