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ScotRail places order for 38 more hi-tech trains



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Published Date: 12 July 2008
By ALASTAIR DALTON
BRITAIN'S most reliable new trains have been ordered for the First ScotRail network in a £186 million deal which will create 134 jobs.
A total of 38 new electric trains will run on routes linking Glasgow with Glasgow Airport, Ayrshire and Inverclyde from the end of 2010.

Existing trains on the routes will be switched to other lines, including the new Glasgow-Airdrie-Bathgate-Edinburgh link, also opening that year.

The three and four-carriage Desiro Express trains are new versions of those operating the Heathrow Express, which have power sockets for laptops.

They will be built by Siemens, which last year won the £220 million contract to construct Edinburgh's tramline network. The jobs created will be among train and maintenance staff.

Some £40 million will be spent on lengthening platforms on the Glasgow to Ayr, Ardrossan, Largs, Wemyss Bay and Gourock lines to accommodate longer trains.

John Swinney, the finance secretary, said: "These new trains are crucial in our sustained programme of investment in the rail network to reap benefits for our economy and our environment."





The full article contains 186 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 11 July 2008 9:47 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: The railways
 
1

truthsleuth,

12/07/2008 00:28:11
These trains are probably the best operated on our rail system.
Quiet, comfortable fast and ELECTRIC.
Seating is certainly the best and superior to the Virgin long distance units and certainly far superior to that on Sardine Airlines.
2

truthsleuth,

12/07/2008 00:30:35
They should be used on longer distance services and not on the link to Glasgow Airport - the oldest units should be used here it being very short distance and effectively serving a competing mode.
3

Stuart W,

12/07/2008 03:51:10
Hi-tech trains maybe, but it's a pity ScotRail's idea of cleaning the lavvies is to throw one of those giant polo-mint thingies into the urinals every day or two.
4

Yok Finney,

Ross-shire 12/07/2008 04:55:54
This is a welcome initiative. The further step is to build new electric rolling stock in Scotland. For although £186M has been "invested", it's also been borrowed from private banks and the general taxpayer will have to pay 5% (?) interest on it and redeem the debt. The cost to the banks for issuing this credit electronically was few minutes work on a computer!

A truly independent Nation (with its own proper currency) would have its government issue the required credits for vital infrastructure. Thus useful work would be done without extra taxation and debt.

American Presidents have taken the idea that government should be for the people and of the people and insist that money be servant of humanity not its master. Then they've been assassinated. But we're Scots so let's be bold! Otherwise the banksters will own and run the planet and look what a hell-hole they've made of it.
5

Robbierunciman,

Romney Marsh 12/07/2008 11:16:43
these trains operate in Kent. Good if they have the 2+2 seating layout, much less good if they have the 3+2 seating layout. the middle seat is only occupied when the train is busy. On my line, as you approach sevenoaks, you pray if it has to happen, that its a thin person - rather than a fatty who thinks their bulk can defy the law of physics or someone who coudn't find their deoderant or someone who who did and could not switch it off.

I agree, with above, virgin' trains are much less comfortable and, surprisingly, for a long distance train - less space.

 

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