ScotRail and Hitachi hail the continued reliability of Class 385s

ScotRail and Hitachi Rail have celebrated four years of Class 385 service, saying they have “delivered record reliability” in Scotland’s Central Belt.

When introduced, the electric multiple units, which were built at Hitachi Rail’s facility at Newton Aycliffe, became the UK’s most reliable new fleet for 12 months. They have remained in the top three for UK train availability ever since.

Over the past year, the fleet has recorded an average of 52,212 MTIN (Miles per Technical Incident), three times higher than the industry average, and covered 26,557,229 miles - all zero emission - owing to the use of green electricity.

Their introduction was part of a £1.3 billion investment in new trains and infrastructure funded by the Scottish Government and Network Rail, and working in collaboration with ScotRail, Transport Scotland and Hitachi Rail.

The investment included Hitachi Rail’s £30 million upgrade of Craigentinny depot and the digital

ScotRail 385010/030 form the 0815 Glasgow Central-Edinburgh between Cleland and Hartwood on April 17 2021. upskilling of its workforce.

This investment and collaboration “has been instrumental” in delivering record reliability, says Hitachi Rail, with the Class 385 receiving the prestigious Fleet Excellence Award at RAIL’s National Rail Awards in 2020.

“Achieved through true collaboration between Scottish Government, ScotRail and Hitachi Rail, the ‘Team Scotland’ mind-set continues today, as we explore ways to expand the benefits of the Class 385 across Scotland so we can reach net zero-carbon railways by 2035,” said Hitachi Rail Head of UK & Ireland Jim Brewin.