ScotRail Class 314s approaching the end of the line
ScotRail has begun withdrawing its elderly Class 314 fleet from traffic.
The three-car electric multiple units (EMUs) are used in the Glasgow region, and date from 1979-80. They are being replaced by a cascade of EMUs made possible by the introduction of Class 385s on the Edinburgh-Glasgow route.
ScotRail’s use of the new Hitachi Class 385 EMUs means that it can cascade Class 380s back to duties from Glasgow Central, and thus other EMUs such as Class 318s and ‘320s’ can be used on routes currently covered by the ‘314s’.
The first three withdrawn were 314207/212/213, and these are now stored at Yoker. Angel Trains owns the 16-strong fleet, and the rolling stock leasing company has previously told RAIL that while it supports the idea of preserving a set, it is likely that the majority of the EMUs will go for scrap.
ScotRail doesn’t have a definitive date for the final withdrawal of the ‘314s’, but spokesman John Beaton told RAIL that as more Class 385s are introduced, so the ‘314s’ will be removed from traffic.
Initially the ‘385s’ are being used on Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High services, but they have also started working on the North Berwick route. In time they will be introduced on the Cathcart Circle, Neilston and Newton routes currently served mainly by ‘314s’.
The 39-year-old EMUs also ran to various Inverclyde destinations. These duties will also be in the hands of ‘380s’ - as they were before the Siemens EMUs were cascaded to the Edinburgh-Glasgow route to cover for the late delivery of the ‘385s’.
ScotRail also has five additional Class 320/4s on order from Eversholt Rail. These are being converted from redundant Class 321/4s, with one set (320404) now in traffic.
RAIL sources have also suggested that the ten Class 365s leased by ScotRail until next May to cover for unavailable ‘385s’ could remain north of the border for a longer period. Discussions have been held between their owner (Eversholt), ScotRail and Transport Scotland.