11.12.19
Last of ScotRail’s Class 314 fleet to be withdrawn
Train operator, ScotRail, has confirmed the withdrawal of the last of the Class 314 fleet from service.
A special farewell tour will take pace around Strathclyde once the trains are removed from passenger service.
Dec 18 will see the final Class 314 take its final trip on routes around Strathclyde, some of which haven’t carried the trains for many years, and some of the routes have never seen the Class 314s in their history.
The farewell tours will be open to the public, and rather than a traditional fare, ScotRail will be asking for donations to its charity partner, MND Scotland.
Three journeys will depart from Glasgow Central over the course of the day at:
10:10 Glasgow Central – Ayr return
12:30 Glasgow Central – Glasgow Central via Motherwell / Carstairs / Cumbernauld.
16:10 Glasgow Central – Helensburgh return.
The Class 314 fleet has served Scotland’s Railway for 40 years, and the withdrawal comes ahead of the replacement to a fleet of brand-new electric trains.
The new trains will be the Hitachi Class 385 fleet, part of ScotRail’s £475m investment into new rolling stock, boasting bright, modern designs with spacious carriages and free WiFi.
Syeda Ghufran, ScotRail engineering director, said:
“Our fleet of Class 314s have served Scotland’s Railway well for the past 40 years, but it’s time to say goodbye.
“These trains are now being withdrawn from service as we introduce newer trains across our network.
“As a final send off, we have arranged a farewell tour on routes around Strathclyde and look forward to welcoming people on board for one last time.”
Image Credit: © Copyright Thomas Nugent and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.