ScotRail
Rèile na h-Alba
ScotRail Trains Limited
Two ScotRail Class 43 (HST) Inter7City trains at Pitlochry
Overview
Franchise(s)ScotRail
Main region(s)Scotland
Parent companyScottish Rail Holdings
Reporting markSR
Dates of operation1 April 2022–present
PredecessorAbellio ScotRail
Other
Websitewww.scotrail.co.uk
Route map
Route map

ScotRail Trains Limited, trading as ScotRail (Scottish Gaelic: Rèile na h-Alba), is a Scottish train operating company that is publicly owned by Scottish Rail Holdings on behalf of the Scottish Government.[1] It has been operating the ScotRail franchise as an operator of last resort since 1 April 2022.

History

The ScotRail network had since 2015 been operated by the private-sector franchisee Abellio ScotRail. In December 2019, Transport Scotland announced Abellio had not met the performance criteria necessary to have its seven-year franchise extended for a further three years, and the franchise would conclude on 31 March 2022.[2][3][4]

In March 2021, Transport Scotland announced that the franchise would not be re-tendered for another private-sector operator to run, but would be operated by an operator of last resort owned by the Scottish Government.[5][6][7] The move was welcomed by the ASLEF, RMT and TSSA unions.[8]

The Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth, confirmed in February 2022 that ScotRail services would return to public ownership. She invited key stakeholders to take part in a discussion on the future of the service, saying "I can confirm that the transition of ScotRail into Scottish Government control will take place on 1 April 2022. Whilst that’s good news, it’s clear that much work still needs to be done... I want to kick-start a National Conversation about what our new beginning for ScotRail should look like - an affordable, sustainable, customer focused rail passenger service in Scotland in a post pandemic world."[9]

The Scottish Conservatives Transport Spokesman, Graham Simpson, criticised the planned consultation, saying that it "should be about lower fares, restoring services and stopping cuts to ticket offices - measures that will encourage people to use public transport."[10] The Scottish Liberal Democrats added that discussions should have started two years earlier, when nationalisation was decided.[10]

On 4 April 2022, on-board catering started to be reintroduced on ScotRail services. It had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

In May 2022, ASLEF balloted its members for strike action, with drivers refusing to work overtime. In May 2022, many Sunday services were cancelled due to driver shortages.[12][13][14] ScotRail stated that the COVID-19 pandemic had prevented them from training an estimated 130 drivers.[15] On 1 June 2022, ASLEF announced that it had rejected an improved pay offer from ScotRail.[16]

A temporary timetable was brought in on 23 May 2022. The number of daily services was cut by around one-third, from approximately 2,150 to 1,456. Many early morning and late night services were cancelled.[17] In June 2022, ASLEF recommended its members accept a revised offer.[18] Services between Wick and Inverness on the Far North Line were cut from four trains each way per day to two. Stagecoach Highlands are expected to introduce an additional bus service on the route starting 6 June 2022.[19]

Services

ScotRail Trains took over all of the services operated by Abellio.[7] As of December 2023, off-peak services delivered by ScotRail Monday to Friday are as follows:[20]

Central Belt

Argyle Line
RoutetphCalling at
Dalmuir to Larkhall2
Dalmuir to Cumbernauld1
Dalmuir to Motherwell1
  • Clydebank, Yoker, Garscadden, Scotstounhill, Jordanhill, Hyndland, Partick, Exhibition Centre, Anderston, Glasgow Central, Arygle Street, Bridgeton, Dalmarnock, Rutherglen, Cambuslang, Newton, Blantyre, Hamilton West, Hamilton Central, Airbles
1
Dalmuir to Whifflet1
  • Clydebank, Yoker, Garscadden, Scotstounhill, Jordanhill, Hyndland, Partick, Exhibition Centre, Anderston, Glasgow Central, Arygle Street, Bridgeton, Dalmarnock, Rutherglen, Carmyle, Mount Vernon, Ballieston, Bargeddie, Kirkwood
Glasgow Central to Lanark2
North Clyde Line
RoutetphCalling at
Helensburgh Central to Edinburgh Waverley2
Balloch to Airdrie2
Milngavie to Springburn2
Cumbernauld, Falkirk, and Maryhill Lines
RoutetphCalling at
Glasgow Queen Street to Cumbernauld1
Glasgow Queen Street to Falkirk Grahamston1
  • Springburn, Robroyston, Stepps, Gartcosh, Greenfaulds, Cumbernauld, Camelon
Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley2
Glasgow Queen Street to Anniesland2
Cathcart Circle Lines
RoutetphCalling at
Glasgow Central to Newton1
1
Glasgow Central to Neilston2
Glasgow Central to Glasgow Central via Cathcart v.v.1
  • Pollokshields East, Queens Park, Crosshill, Mount Florida, Cathcart, Langside, Pollokshaws East, Shawlands, Maxwell Park, Pollokshields West
Paisley Canal Line
RoutetphCalling at
Glasgow Central to Paisley Canal2
Shotts Line
RoutetphCalling at
Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley via Shotts1
Inverclyde Line
RoutetphCalling at
Glasgow Central to Gourock2
Glasgow Central to Wemyss Bay1
Ayrshire Coast Line
RoutetphCalling at
Glasgow Central to Ayr2
Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour1
Glasgow Central to Largs1
Glasgow South Western Line
RoutetphCalling at
Glasgow Central to East Kilbride2
Glasgow Central to Barrhead1
Glasgow Central to Kilmarnock1
1⁄2
  • Barrhead, Dunlop, Stewarton, Kilmaurs
  • 1 train per day continues to Ayr (see below)
  • 1 train per day continues to Girvan (see below)
Glasgow Central to Carlisle1⁄2
Dumfries to Carlisle1⁄2
  • Annan, Gretna Green
Kilmarnock to Ayr7tpd
  • 2 trains per day begin at Glasgow Central (see above)
  • 3 trains per day extend to Girvan (see below)
  • 2 trains per day extend to Stranraer (see below)
Ayr to Girvan1⁄2
Ayr to Stranraer1⁄4
Carstairs and North Berwick Lines
RoutetphCalling at
Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley via Carstairs1⁄2
Edinburgh Waverley to Dunbar1⁄2Musselburgh, Wallyford, East Linton
Edinburgh Waverley to North Berwick1
Borders Railway
RoutetphCalling at
Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank2

Scotland National

West Highland Line
RoutetpdCalling at
Glasgow Queen Street to Oban6
  • Falls of Cruachan is only served between March and October.
  • 3 trains per day run linked to a Mallaig portion between Glasgow and Crianlarich, see below
Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig3
  • Trains run linked to an Oban portion between Glasgow and Crianlarich, see above
Fort William to Mallaig1
Dalmally to Oban1
  • Loch Awe, Taynuilt, Connel Ferry
Croy & Dunblane Lines
RoutetphCalling at
Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa2
Edinburgh Waverley to Dunblane2
Fife Circle Line
RoutetphCalling at
Edinburgh Waverley to Dundee1
Edinburgh Waverley to Perth1
  • Haymarket, South Gyle, Edinburgh Gateway, Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Markinch, Ladybank
Edinburgh Waverley to Cowdenbeath1
Edinburgh Waverley to Glenrothes with Thornton1
  • Haymarket, South Gyle, Edinburgh Gateway, Dalmeny, North Queensferry, Inverkeithing, Rosyth, Dunfermline City, Dunfermline Queen Margaret, Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Cardenden
Glasgow - / Edinburgh - Aberdeen Lines
RoutetphCalling at
Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen1
Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen1
Glasgow Queen Street to Dundee1
Dundee to Arbroath1
Highland Main Line
RoutetpdCalling at
Glasgow Queen Street to Inverness5
Edinburgh Waverley to Inverness5
  • Haymarket, Stirling, Perth, Dunkeld & Birnham, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl (3tpd), Dalwhinnie (3tpd), Newtonmore (3tpd), Kingussie, Aviemore, Carrbridge (3tpd)
Aberdeen–Inverness Line
RoutetphCalling at
Montrose to Inverurie1
Aberdeen to Inverurie1⁄2
  • Dyce, Kintore
Aberdeen to Inverness1⁄2
Elgin to Inverness1⁄2
  • Forres, Nairn, Inverness Airport
Far North & Kyle of Lochalsh Lines
RoutetpdCalling at
Inverness to Dingwall1
Inverness to Invergordon1
  • Beauly, Muir of Ord, Conon Bridge, Dingwall, Alness
Inverness to Tain1
  • Beauly, Muir of Ord, Conon Bridge, Dingwall, Alness, Invergordon, Fearn
Inverness to Ardgay1
  • Beauly, Muir of Ord, Conon Bridge, Dingwall, Alness, Invergordon, Fearn, Tain
Inverness to Wick4
  • Dunrobin Castle is only served between March and October.
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh4

Fleet

ScotRail operates a number of different electric and diesel train types in its fleet.[21]

In 2021, ScotRail introduced five newly refurbished Class 153 carriages, which are attached to two-car Class 156 units. These new carriages, named "Highland Explorer" feature a 50:50 split between seating and bicycle racks.[22] The new carriage, which carries a £10 supplement to the regular ticket price, includes complimentary refreshments, cycling-themed interior decorations and external vinyl wrap, and maps for cyclists planning to explore Western Scotland by bicycle.[23]

Family Class Image Type Top speed Number Carriages Routes operated Built Notes
mph km/h
Inter7City
High Speed Train[24][25] 43 Diesel locomotive 125 200 52 4/5 Aberdeen-Inverness Line
Glasgow/Edinburgh to Aberdeen
Glasgow/Edinburgh to Inverness		 1975–1982
  • Operates under the brand Inter7City.
  • Fleet consists of 9 four-coach and 17 five-coach trains.
  • 1 four coach train damaged in the Stonehaven derailment.
Mark 3 Passenger carriage 120
Diesel multiple units
Sprinter 153 Super Sprinter[26] DMU 75 120 5 1 West Highland Line (Attached to 156s)[22] 1987–1988
156 Super Sprinter[27] 42 2 Glasgow South Western Line
Maryhill Line
Shotts Line
West Highland Line		 1987–1989
158 Express Sprinter 90 145 40 Aberdeen-Inverness Line
Borders Railway
Far North Line
Fife Circle Line
Glasgow/Edinburgh to Inverness
Kyle of Lochalsh line
Maryhill Line		 1989–1992
Bombardier Turbostar 170 100 161 30 3 Aberdeen-Inverness Line
Borders Railway
Edinburgh to Aberdeen Line
Fife Circle Line
Glasgow/Edinburgh to Inverness
Maryhill Line		 1999–2001
2003-05
Electric multiple units
BR Second Generation (Mark 3) 318[28] EMU 90 145 21 3 North Clyde Line
Whifflet Line
Cumbernauld Line
Inverclyde Line
Paisley Canal Line
Argyle Line
Cathcart Circle Lines
Glasgow to Lanark via Motherwell		 1985–1986
320[29] 22 1990
320[30][31] 100 161 12 1989–1990 Converted from Class 321/4.
Alstom Coradia Juniper[32] 334 90 145 40 North Clyde Line
Argyle Line		 1999–2002
Siemens Desiro[33][34] 380 100 161 22 3 Ayrshire Coast Line
Paisley Canal Line
Inverclyde Line
Cathcart Circle Lines
North Berwick Line
Glasgow to Edinburgh via Shotts		 2009–2011
16 4
Abellio ScotRail Class 380/0
Abellio ScotRail Class 380/1
Hitachi AT200[35] 385 46 3 Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk Line
Glasgow/Edinburgh to North Berwick/Dunbar
Glasgow/Edinburgh to Dunblane and Alloa
Glasgow-Cathcart Circle/Neilston/Newton
Cumbernauld Line
Glasgow to Edinburgh via Motherwell and Carstairs
Glasgow to Lanark via Motherwell
Glasgow to Edinburgh via Shotts
Inverclyde Line
Argyle Line		 2015–2019 Operates under the brand eXpress.
24 4
Abellio ScotRail Class 385/0
Abellio ScotRail Class 385/1

Electrification

Transport Scotland has a plan to implement the Scottish Government's policy to "decarbonise domestic passenger rail services", part of which involves replacing all diesel trains by 2035.[36] The £55 million first phase, to electrify 104 km (65 mi) of Fife Circle track, between Haymarket and Dalmeny, for use by battery electric multiple units, was begun by Scottish Powerlines in June 2022 and is due to be completed by December 2024.[37][38] Further phases will electrify the lines between Kinghorn, Thornton, Ladybank and Lochgelly.[39]

Stations

As of March 2022, ScotRail operates 355 stations in Scotland.[40] Not included are Prestwick International Airport station, owned and operated by the airport,[41] as well as both Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central, which are managed by Network Rail.[note 1] [43] ScotRail operates Lockerbie and Reston even though no ScotRail services currently call at either station.[42]

Depots

ScotRail's fleet is maintained at Edinburgh Haymarket, Glasgow Eastfield, Glasgow Shields Road, Corkerhill Glasgow, Yoker, Ayr Townhead, Bathgate, and Inverness, as well as a newly built EMU stabling depot at Millerhill in Midlothian and a rebuilt depot at Cadder Yard.[44]

Notes

  1. ↑ In precise terms only the high-level portion of Glasgow Central is managed by Network Rail, with ScotRail operating the low-level portion, but the distinction is not commonly noted.[42]

References

  1. ↑ "Who we are". Glasgow: Scottish Rail Holdings. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Abellio ScotRail contract to end three years early". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019.
  3. ↑ "Abellio's ScotRail franchise to end early in 2022". The Railway Magazine. No. 1426. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. January 2020. p. 9. ISSN 0033-8923.
  4. ↑ "ScotRail franchise to end early". Rail Express. No. 285. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. February 2020. p. 8. ISSN 1362-234X.
  5. ↑ "ScotRail to move to Scottish Government ownership". Transport Scotland. 4 April 2021. Archived from the original on 4 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "Operator of Last Resort to take over ScotRail franchise". Rail Magazine. No. 927. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 24 March 2021. p. 11. ISSN 0953-4563.
  7. 1 2 "ScotRail to be Nationalised". Rail Express. No. 300. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. May 2021. p. 6. ISSN 1362-234X.
  8. ↑ Hewitt, S. (18 March 2021). "ScotRail: Rail Services to be Nationalised when Abellio Contract Ends". Rail Express. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "Scottish Government will take over ScotRail services on 1 April 2022". Transport Scotland. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Scotland's train services nationalised from 1 April". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022.
  11. ↑ Smith, R. (6 April 2022). "ScotRail launches recruitment drive for on-train hospitality stewards". RailAdvent. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022.
  12. ↑ "ScotRail train driver shortage triggers wave of cancellations". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022.
  13. ↑ Bussey, K. (11 May 2022). "ScotRail strike threat: Train drivers to be balloted on industrial action". The Scotsman. National World Publishing. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022.
  14. ↑ Williams, Martin (18 May 2022). "Summer of Scots rail strikes loom as 800 services are cancelled in a week in driver work-to-rule". The Herald. Newsquest Media Group. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022.
  15. ↑ "ScotRail: Why have hundreds of trains been cancelled?". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 6 June 2022.
  16. ↑ Dalton, Alastair (1 June 2022). "ScotRail drivers union Aslef rejects improved pay offer and threatens strike ballot unless talks resume". The Scotsman. National World Publishing. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "Anger over 'devastating' cuts to ScotRail services". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 May 2022. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022.
  18. ↑ "ScotRail agrees 5% pay deal with train drivers' union". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 8 June 2022. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022.
  19. ↑ MacAllister, Donna (27 May 2022). "Just two train services a day to cover 5,705 sq miles: Stagecoach puts on lifeline bus service after ScotRail cuts". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen Journals. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022.
  20. ↑ "Timetables". ScotRail. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  21. ↑ "Bike bonanza for ScotRail Customers". ScotRail. 13 April 2022. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022.
  22. 1 2 "Highland Explorer takes to the rails". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  23. ↑ "Travelling with a bike on our Highland Explorer (Class 153) trains". ScotRail. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  24. ↑ "Abellio awarded ScotRail franchise". Railway Gazette. Sutton: DVV Media International. 8 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016.
  25. ↑ "Quality and more trains key to Abellio's SR franchise". Rail Magazine. No. 760. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 29 October 2014. p. 10.
  26. ↑ "Cycle carriages for Scotland's scenic railway". ScotRail. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  27. ↑ "Abellio takes over ScotRail". Today's Railways UK. No. 162. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. June 2015. p. 12. ISSN 1475-9713.
  28. ↑ "Class 318 - Features and Facts". Eversholt Rail Group. London. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  29. ↑ Fox, P. (1991). Locomotives & Coaching Stock 1991. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. p. 250. ISBN 978-1-872524-26-9.
  30. ↑ "Scotrail unveils £475m improvement plan". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  31. ↑ "Welcome £8M contract boost for Kilmarnock rail firm and ScotRail passengers". Transport Scotland. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  32. ↑ "Class 334 - Features and Facts". London: Eversholt Rail Group. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  33. ↑ "Scotland orders Desiro Fleet". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media International. 11 July 2008. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012.
  34. ↑ "Desiros unveiled ready for ScotRail services". Rail Magazine. No. 648. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 14 July 2010.
  35. ↑ Shirres, D. (3 April 2020). "Maintaining the 385s". Rail Engineer. Coalville: Rail Media Group. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  36. ↑ Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan (PDF). Glasgow: Transport Scotland. July 2020. ISBN 978-1-911582-92-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 September 2021.
  37. ↑ "Green light for £55m Scottish Government investment in decarbonisation". Transport Scotland. 2 June 2022. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022.
  38. ↑ "Piling work to get underway to electrify line to Fife". Network Rail. 2 June 2022. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022.
  39. ↑ "Four phases of Fife Electrification". Network Rail. 1 June 2022. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022.
  40. ↑ Leese, D. (November 2022). "Table 1410: Passenger entries, exits and interchanges by station (annual), Great Britain, April 2021 to March 2022" (ODS). London: Office of Rail and Road. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023.
  41. ↑ "Form 17s: Application to the Office of Rail Regulation for a Station Access Contract under Section 17 of the Railways Act 1993" (PDF). London: Office of Rail Regulation. April 2006. Document 235824.01. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014.
  42. 1 2 "ScotRail Franchise – Invitation to Tender" (PDF). Transport Scotland. February 2014. p. 48 (in work p. 52). B/4855286/45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2014.
  43. ↑ "Our stations". Network Rail. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014.
  44. ↑ "Scotland's Railway opens £33million servicing depot". ScotRail. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021.
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