Diesel trains to run 25% of services on newly electrified ScotRail line

Diesel-powered trains are set to operate 25% of services on a newly electrified ScotRail line between Glasgow Central and East Kilbride.

The train operator has said that 75% of services on the £144m electrified line will be operated by electric trains, marking a “significant step forward in Scotland’s ongoing rail decarbonisation programme”.

Modern, electric four-carriage class 380 trains will replace the current four-carriage class 156 diesel trains on the East Kilbride route.

Six-carriage class 156 trains will also continue to operate.

ScotRail service delivery director Mark Ilderton said: “Our December timetable change marks another important milestone for Scotland’s Railway, as we introduce electric trains on the East Kilbride line.

“The move to electric trains will mean smoother, quieter, and more sustainable journeys for customers, while our additional evening services will offer greater flexibility for those travelling later in the day.

“Across the network, we’ve made a range of alterations to deliver more services and improve capacity where it’s needed most.”

ScotRail is currently in the process of procurement for a new fleet, which the operator said could enter service in the early 2030s.

The current East Kilbride fleet will begin operating passenger services for the first time between East Kilbride and Glasgow on Sunday, December 14.

As a result, the train operator warned customers that there would be a suite of new timetable changes.

The changes will include additional carriages on several peak-time services on the Glasgow Central to Newton, Neilston, and Cathcart Circle routes.

Additional evening services will operate between Edinburgh Waverley and Dunblane, providing, for the first time, two trains per hour Monday to Saturday that will call at all stations along the route.

Customers travelling on the Edinburgh Waverley – North Berwick/Dunbar line will see new weekday morning services, while ScotRail services to North Berwick, Dunbar, and Tweedbank will have adjusted timings to align with cross-border timetable changes by other train operators.

Some evening services between Edinburgh and Dunbar will now stop at Prestonpans, Longniddry, and Drem, eliminating a two-hour gap between services.

In Fife, on Monday to Thursday and Sunday evenings, some services will be revised to operate via Dunfermline instead of Kirkcaldy. Others will have additional stops to allow Network Rail enhanced access to carry out ongoing electrification works between Burntisland and Thornton North Junction.

“These changes represent another step in our ongoing commitment to deliver the best service we can and encourage more people to choose rail travel instead of using the car,” Mr Ilderton said.

“We’re asking all of our customers to make sure they check their regular journeys before Sunday, December 14, as their train times may have changed.”