New ScotRail Class 385s in traffic on North Berwick route

Class 385 electric multiple units were introduced onto the North Berwick line today (September 10).

This is the second route the Hitachi-built electric multiple units are being used on by ScotRail after they were successfully introduced onto the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High route in late-July (RAIL 858).

A further two three-car sets were put into traffic for the North Berwick trains (385006 and 385007). They are operating services as a six-car formation, and ScotRail says they will be used on up to 15 trains per weekday and 12 on a Saturday. More sets will be introduced this year on the

“This is all part of an ongoing Scottish Government commitment to ensuring Scotland’s railways are a popular choice and demonstrates the real benefits of our extensive programme of electrification,” said Transport Scotland Director of Rail Bill Reeve.

Meanwhile, 385010 was delivered to Craigentinny on September 7. The three-car EMU was moved from Newton Aycliffe where it had been assembled. It is the 15th set in Scotland, joining 385004/008/009/014-016, 385122-124 in the testing programme, while 385003/005, 385103/104 are in traffic.