The first of the new trains for Scotland at the Hitachi factory in Kasado, Japan



Rail passengers in Edinburgh were given a glimpse into the future today (10 February 2016), – a new electric train being built in Japan to replace diesels in Scotland from next year.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay unveiled a life-size model of the train’s interior which will remain on show at Waverley station for three weeks.

The £370 million class 385 trains – the first few are being built by Hitachi Rail in Kasado – will include at-seat power points and better free wifi and will be used first on the Edinburgh-Falkirk High-Glasgow Queen Street route from late 2017.

The trains are needed because the line is being electrified through the Scottish Government’s £742 million Edinburgh Glasgow rail improvement programme.

Between 2017 and 2019, the new trains will also run on the Glasgow/Edinburgh-Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa route as well as Edinburgh-North Berwick, the Glasgow Central-Neilston /Newton /Cathcart circle and Edinburgh-Glasgow Central via Shotts.

The first six four-car trains are being built in Kasado but the remaining 64 will be made at Hitachi Rail Europe’s new train factory at Newton Aycliffe, Durham,     

Mr Mackay said:  “These 100 mph electric trains are being custom made for Scotland’s railways. They will be larger, faster and greener. They will enable ScotRail to increase capacity significantly on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow route by providing much more seating on peak services from late 2017.” 

Dominic Booth, managing director of Abellio UK, said: “This train will be truly transformational for customers, and proudly positions Scotland’s transport at the apex of transport initiatives in the UK.”

Karen Boswell, managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe, said:  “We are delighted that the class 385s will be made at our new manufacturing facility in Newton Aycliffe, boosting jobs in the North East of England and the wider UK supply chain.”
 
The Scottish Government will have the option to buy the full fleet for £1 after 25 years.
  
Electric trains produce around 1,650g of carbon per vehicle mile compared to 2,100g for the diesel trains they replace, and regenerative braking saves energy.

The class 385s will be able to operate in three, four, six, seven and eight car formations, providing flexibility to match demand. They will have “through” gangways between all coaches so every part of the train can be accessed from inside.
 
Each train will have two dedicated cycle spaces, two wheelchair spaces and a flexible area for prams, bikes and luggage.

Seats are “more closely lined up to windows”, one of each pair of toilets is accessible and a new passenger counting system will be linked to platform screens and the ScotRail smartphone app to highlight where passengers waiting on platforms can find seats.