In 2026, Hitachi Rail is celebrating a decade of operations in Scotland, marking a period defined by exceptional fleet performance, deepened collaboration with “Team Scotland” — ScotRail, Transport Scotland and Network Rail — and sustained investment in people, infrastructure, and green technology.
Since entering the Scottish rail market in 2016, Hitachi Rail’s growth has been driven by the introduction of LNER’s Azuma trains and ScotRail’s Class 385 fleet. Both fleets, built in Britain, have significantly improved reliability and connectivity across Scotland. Today, Hitachi Rail’s Glasgow headquarters and the Edinburgh Craigentinny depot employ more than 300 highly skilled staff.
Across the Central Belt, the ScotRail Class 385 continues to outperform nearly every suburban fleet in the UK. It is currently four times more reliable than the UK industry average for fleets with over 50 units. In 2024–25, travellers made 7.8 million journeys on Class 385 services between Edinburgh and Glasgow — a 5% rise on the previous year.
The fully electric fleet has delivered major environmental benefits, cutting carbon emissions on the Glasgow–Edinburgh mainline by 82% annually compared with the diesel trains it replaced.
Major Investment in Scotland’s Rail Skills Base
Hitachi Rail has matched fleet performance with equally significant investment in Scotland’s rail infrastructure. The company has committed £30 million to upgrades at the 122‑year‑old Craigentinny depot, transforming it into a state‑of‑the‑art centre for digital maintenance and multi‑fleet support. The depot now services six different fleets, making it one of Scotland’s most valuable rail engineering hubs. Digital upskilling programmes have positioned Craigentinny as the pioneer of Hitachi’s UK digital maintenance capabilities.
Beyond engineering, Hitachi Rail is investing in Scotland’s future workforce. Through its partnership with Powering Futures, Hitachi volunteers support STEM learning and real‑world engineering challenges at Portobello High School. The company also delivers vital safety education through the Rail Safe Friendly initiative across 10 primary schools, with plans to expand further into primary and secondary education.
Long-Term Commitment and Future Innovation
Hitachi Rail’s place in Scotland’s future is secured well into the 2030s through the extension of maintenance contracts for the Class 385 fleet. This long-term certainty enables further innovation, including integration of the AI‑driven HMAX digital asset‑management platform and exploration of battery‑technology solutions to lower costs and encourage modal shift.
Kelly Warburton, UK Sales Director at Hitachi Rail, said:
“For a decade, Hitachi Rail has been proud to support Scotland’s railway, investing in new technology and working hand‑in‑hand with ScotRail, Network Rail and Transport Scotland to help make the Class 385s one of Britain’s most reliable fleets.
Our long-term partnership means we never stop asking what’s next for Scotland’s railways. We are excited about the new battery and digital solutions we have been busy developing, which can help deliver even greater reliability, resilience and greener travel choices for passengers across Scotland.”
Kelly Warburton will outline the company’s strategic vision for Scotland at the Rail Scotland Conference 2026, taking place on 5 March.
Agility Trains: A Decade of Collaboration Supporting Scotland’s Intercity Connectivity
Tom Hawkesworth, CEO of Agility Trains, highlighted the company’s long‑standing investment in Scotland’s rail network:
“For over ten years, Agility Trains has been a proud partner in Scotland’s rail success, investing significantly in the essential infrastructure – including depots in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness – that keeps the nation moving.
Our commitment to Scotland extends well into the coming decades. From continued investment in our iconic LNER Azuma fleet and train care facilities to pioneering new safety technologies like digital in-cab signalling, our goal is to provide Scottish communities with a high-quality, more dependable rail service. Together with our partners, we are ensuring that Scotland’s rail network is sustainable and technologically advanced for the years ahead.”
Agility Trains, created in 2008 to deliver the UK’s new generation of high-speed intercity trains, has funded crucial infrastructure upgrades at Craigentinny, Inverness, and Aberdeen since 2015. The company has held the Craigentinny depot lease since 2018, with a commitment that extends more than 20 years into the future. Its ongoing investment aims to enhance passenger experience, sustainability and operational performance for decades to come.
Image credits: Hitachi Rail
