ScotRail is preparing to roll out a series of timetable improvements from Sunday 14 December, with the focus on boosting capacity and modernising services on the Southside of Glasgow. One of the most notable upgrades will see new four-carriage Class 380 electric trains introduced on the Glasgow Central to East Kilbride route, replacing the existing Class 156 diesel stock for the majority of services.

With the move, around three-quarters of trains on the line will now be electric, marking a major step in Scotland’s rail decarbonisation programme. The change follows a significant electrification project backed by the Scottish Government and delivered by Network Rail, allowing for smoother, quieter and more comfortable journeys. Six-carriage Class 156 trains will continue to operate on the route where required.

Capacity gains will also be felt across the wider network. Busy peak-time services on the Glasgow Central to Newton, Neilston and Cathcart Circle routes will see additional carriages introduced, while evening improvements include extra trains between Edinburgh Waverley and Dunblane. For the first time, two trains per hour will operate on that corridor Monday to Saturday, with all stations served.

Customers travelling from Edinburgh towards North Berwick, Dunbar and Tweedbank will see adjustments to departure times, coordinated with timetable changes from other cross-border operators. In addition, several evening trains between Edinburgh and Dunbar will now call at Prestonpans, Longniddry and Drem, closing the previous two-hour gap in service.

In Fife, some Monday to Thursday and Sunday evening services will be diverted via Dunfermline rather than Kirkcaldy, while others will include extra stops to support ongoing electrification work between Burntisland and Thornton North Junction. ScotRail says most remaining alterations are small, but passengers are encouraged to check journeys in advance as times may differ from the current schedule.

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said:

“Our December timetable change marks another important milestone for Scotland’s Railway, as we introduce electric trains on the East Kilbride line. The move to electric trains will mean smoother, quieter, and more sustainable journeys for customers, while our additional evening services will offer greater flexibility for those travelling later in the day. Across the network, we’ve made a range of alterations to deliver more services and improve capacity where it’s needed most. These changes represent another step in our ongoing commitment to deliver the best service we can and encourage more people to choose rail travel instead of using the car. We’re asking all of our customers to make sure they check their regular journeys before Sunday, 14 December, as their train times may have changed.”

Image: ScotRail