ScotRail have now announced that services will commence from Monday 15th October.
Branded the Inter7City train, which will run initially between Aberdeen and Edinburgh, is the first of the upgraded high-speed trains that will connect Scotland’s seven cities - providing a boost for commuters, tourists, and business travellers.
Branded the Inter7City train, which will run initially between Aberdeen and Edinburgh, is the first of the upgraded high-speed trains that will connect Scotland’s seven cities - providing a boost for commuters, tourists, and business travellers.
Key features of the high-speed trains include:
More seats
Increased luggage space
At seat power sockets
More toilets
Following a VIP preview run on October 10 ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Alex Hynes said:
“This is another major milestone in our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.
“Our Inter7City service will provide more seats, better services, and more comfortable journeys for our customers.
“The investment we are making in these iconic trains is a clear sign of the ScotRail Alliance’s commitment to building a bigger and better railway for the whole of Scotland.”
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, and Connectivity said:
“The entry into service of the first fully upgraded high speed train (HST) is to be welcomed and I look forward to seeing more follow in the months ahead.
“Passengers have looked forward to the arrival of the fully refurbished HST fleet which will bring significant improvements for travellers on our inter-city routes between Scotland’s seven main cities. ScotRail and Wabtec, its supplier, have given assurances they remain focused on ensuring the full fleet is in service as quickly and efficiently as possible, meaning even more passengers will soon benefit from faster trains which have the latest standard of comfort, accessibility and catering provision.
“The boost in seating provision will help support the overall 23 per cent increase in capacity being delivered during 2019 as rail continues to grow in popularity across Scotland.”
More seats
Increased luggage space
At seat power sockets
More toilets
Better on-board hospitality
ScotRail is leasing from Angel Trains 121 Mk III vehicles and 54 MTU-engined power cars displaced from Great Western services by the introduction of Class 800 electro-diesel trainsets under the Intercity Express Programme.
These will be formed into nine sets of 2+4 and 17 of 2+5. The trailer vehicles have been fully refurbished by Wabtec with power-operated doors to meet accessibility requirements and controlled-emission toilets.
The upgraded train will offer better connections for customers and will help deliver ScotRail's improved timetable from 9 December 2018.
The upgraded train will offer better connections for customers and will help deliver ScotRail's improved timetable from 9 December 2018.
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| ScotRail Alliance MD Alex Hynes |
Following a VIP preview run on October 10 ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Alex Hynes said:
“This is another major milestone in our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.
“Our Inter7City service will provide more seats, better services, and more comfortable journeys for our customers.
“The investment we are making in these iconic trains is a clear sign of the ScotRail Alliance’s commitment to building a bigger and better railway for the whole of Scotland.”
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, and Connectivity said:
“The entry into service of the first fully upgraded high speed train (HST) is to be welcomed and I look forward to seeing more follow in the months ahead.
“Passengers have looked forward to the arrival of the fully refurbished HST fleet which will bring significant improvements for travellers on our inter-city routes between Scotland’s seven main cities. ScotRail and Wabtec, its supplier, have given assurances they remain focused on ensuring the full fleet is in service as quickly and efficiently as possible, meaning even more passengers will soon benefit from faster trains which have the latest standard of comfort, accessibility and catering provision.
“The boost in seating provision will help support the overall 23 per cent increase in capacity being delivered during 2019 as rail continues to grow in popularity across Scotland.”
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| Driver training on the power cars is taking place using trains formed of unrefurbished coaches. One of the sets is seen here at Dundee. |