Refurbished trains offer more seats

ScotRail says its fully upgraded InterCity trains will enter service in the coming weeks once crew training is complete.

The first of the upgraded 26-strong high-speed fleet travelled from Doncaster to Edinburgh on Friday. 

In total, 17 five-carriage trains and nine four-carriage trains will be used on InterCity services linking Scotland’s seven cities. Compared with ScotRail’s current fleet, the InterCity trains offer more seats and increased luggage space.

They will also offer an enhanced food and drink service, with a new cafe area on board in addition to the usual trolley selection. 

Chris Tait, ScotRail’s high-speed trains project manager, said they will “transform rail travel in Scotland” by providing more seats and a much-improved on-board environment. 

“It’s all part of our work to build the best railway Scotland’s ever had,” he said. 

George Davidson, Transport Scotland’s rolling stock manager, said: “This is an important milestone in our efforts to improve capacity on our rail services, alongside an enhanced passenger experience. It’s great to see the first of these trains arrive in Scotland and I’m sure they will make a great addition to the ScotRail fleet.”