ScotRail’s pioneer Class 314 sent for scrap

Pioneer 314201 has been sent to Wales for scrap. The three-car electric multiple unit is the fourth Class 314 to be dismantled, leaving 11 with ScotRail.

Also disposed of are 314206/ 212/213, while 314204 has been moved by road to Wishaw (Midlands) ahead of a potential new use with Transport for London.

A ScotRail source told RAIL that five ‘314s’ were destined for TfL, although the latter denied this.

The pioneer ‘314’ follows 314206 to Sims Metal’s facility at Newport Docks. The EMUs were introduced in 1979-80 in the Strathclyde area.

From the May timetable there will be five duties left for the EMUs in Scotland, with SR planning to remove them from traffic after the 40th anniversary of the class in November.

It has also been confirmed that ownership of the Class 314s has transferred from Angel Trains to ScotRail for a nominal sum, as part of the compensation for the late delivery of the Inter7City High Speed Trains supplied by the rolling stock leasing company.