Approval has been given for Class 385s to enter traffic with ScotRail (SR) this month.
The Office of Rail and Road gave formal acceptance for the Hitachi-built trains last week following modifications to the original windscreen design.
The trains will be modified by Knorr-Bremse Rail Services (KBRS) at Springburn. This follows trials with 385004, which was fitted with two designs. A flatter windscreen has been favoured.
Drivers’ union ASLEF has accepted the design, and the trains will enter traffic with SR on the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High route. They were due to enter service in December 2017.
The Class 385s are still undergoing thorough final internal testing and preparatory work before they can enter into passenger service. Hitachi said this was going well, but that each train must complete 2,000 miles of fault-free running.
Andy Radford, Programme Manager, Hitachi Rail said: “Getting the green light for new trains is a massive milestone for the project. It has been achieved by all parties involved working collaboratively towards the same goal.”
- For the FULL story, read RAIL 857, published on July 18, and available digitally from July 14.
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AndrewJG8918 - 02/07/2018 12:39
Good. That means ScotRail might retain the Class 365’s for another year but to use them on the suburban services to replace the Class 314’s and to operate them on the Alloa and Dunblane lines that were electrified and to work with the Class 385’s, Class 320’s and Class 380’s. As the Class 385’s will soon be working on other lines in Scotland including the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk Line and via Shotts Line and the Edinburgh-North Berwick Line. That will also work alongside the Class 380’s.
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AndrewJG8918 - 03/07/2018 18:08
So why is ScotRail hiring the Class 365's for a year. Whilst more Class 385's are due to enter service throughout this year and into next year. With 10 more 385's to be built if the franchise extends to 8 years.
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David - 09/07/2018 10:07
The Class 385s are still needing to be tested.
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