More ‘385s’ enter traffic on Edinburgh-Glasgow route

Two more Hitachi-built Class 385 electric multiple units (385005 and 385103) were put into traffic on August 27, on the EdinburghGlasgow route. They join 385003, 385104, which entered service on July 24 ( RAIL 858).

According to ScotRail, this means that more than a quarter of all trains on the route are now operated by Class 385s.

“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,” said ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Alex Hynes.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, said: “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% across the Scottish network.”

Hitachi Rail Global CEO - Rail Alastair Dormer told RAIL that ScotRail had accepted four ‘385s’ for traffic, with a further six undergoing commissioning. All have been fitted with modified windscreens, following issues raised by ASLEF ( RAIL 849).

Dormer said the plan was that by the end of September, ScotRail would have ‘bought’ eight of the 70 EMUs, and that they would enter traffic at the rate of approximately one pair per month. It is expected that ‘385s’ will operate all trains on the Edinburgh-Glasgow route from the start of the December timetable.

EMU assembly continues at Newton Aycliffe, with three-car 385017 and four-car 385115-117/ 121 entering the testing phase, joining 385010-013/017/031/ 033, 385105-114/118-121 at that stage. This leaves 385018030/032/034-046 in various stages of assembly.

Pre-series sets 385001/002, 385101/102 are in Pistoia (Italy) for an internal refit after testing.