Train fleet withdrawn over brake problems
Scotrail has pulled its entire fleet of brand new electric trains out of service as a “precaution” over defective brakes – less then three months since they were introduced.
The move caused a shortage of carriages on dozens of trains on the main Edinburghglasgow line and other routes.
It was triggered by one of the class 385 trains suffering a brake fault on the line at Winchburgh on Thursday, which blocked the line and caused significant disruption.
Scotrail admitted it was the latest in a series of similar problems to have hit the trains since their delayed introduction to the line.
Six of the fleet of 70 Japanese-designed Hitachi trains have been running on the line and on the North Berwick-edinburgh route since July. Their withdrawal meant many North Berwick trains ran with just three carriages yesterday – half the normal number.
More than 30 trains on the main Edinburgh-glasgow route had fewer coaches, some cut from seven to three.
A rail source said of a previous incident last month: “The train almost overshot Falkirk High, due to ‘very poor brakes’ after investigation by Hitachi.
“In the rear three carriages, a computer isolated all the brakes for no apparent reason, so only the front four carriages were braking.”
Scotrail said all trains had normal and secondary braking “to keep people safe”.
It said: “Hitachi is investigating the cause of the technical fault, but there is nothing to suggest it was a software problem.”
Scotrail chief operating officer Angus Thom said the trains had been taken out of passenger service while the fault was investigated.
He said: “As a precaution, while Hitachi carries out further testing, we are restricting the use of class 385 trains.
“We are sorry to any customers whose journey was disrupted as a result of this.”
The latest problems come after the trains were introduced ten months late following a series of problems includingdriversbeingunable to see signals clearly through the curved windscreens.
Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Mike Rumbles said: “This is yet another let-down for Scotland’s rail users. Commuters will be dismayed to see the first trains from the fleet, introduced with great fanfare just weeks ago, taken out of action.”
Scottish Labour transport spokesman Colin Smyth said: “The SNP promised a worldleading service with Scotrail.
“Instead we have seen the problems pile up with trains withdrawn, new models late, services overcrowded, overpriced and routinely behind schedule.”
David Sidebottom, passenger director of watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Passengers will be disappointed and want assurances there is a clear timescale for the trains to be back in service.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency said: “Scotrail has made us aware a technical issue was encountered on one of the new class 385s. As is normal in such circumstances, particularly with new trains, Hitachi will test the entire fleet as a precaution.
“It is imperative this testing is completed quickly, but thoroughly.”
adalton@scotsman.com