SCOTRAIL CONVERTED a second diagram on its Edinburgh to Glasgow route to Class 385 operation from 28 August. This was followed on 10 September by the introduction of a pair of the class on the Edinburgh to North Berwick route.
The first pair of ‘385s’ entered service on the E&G route via Falkirk on 24 July. As modification work to the drivers’ windows on the ‘385s’ continues, Nos 385007/385103 became the second pair of units into service, enabling the xx.15 departures from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to become ‘385’ diagrams.
As of mid-September the E&G has two diagrams covered by seven-car Class 385 formations, alongside four eight-car Class 365s and two seven-car Class 380 formations, with the eight pairs of units cycling round services every two hours.
The current timescale for Class 385 introduction sees all E&G services operated by the new EMUs by the December timetable change date. Whilst the electric services are currently working to the previous DMU timings, the faster acceleration and better performance of the electric units will also allow journey times to be reduced in future timetables. On the North Berwick route, ScotRail promises more ‘385s’ in service by the end of the year, …
