ScotRail to replace high speed trains with £80m refurbished fleet

ScotRail has announced the replacement of its old intercity high speed trains (HSTs) with 22 newly refurbished trains.

The Class 222s currently run on East Midlands Railway, but will have an £80m exterior and interior revamp before being handed over.

The refreshed Class 222s will run on ScotRail routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness in a phased roll-out from late next year.

The diesel-powered HSTs are the oldest trains used by the state-owned operator. They were originally built for British Rail in the late 1970s.

ScotRail will lease the Class 222s from UK rolling stock firm Beacon Rail.

The £80m refurbishment will be done by French train manufacturer Alstom, supported by £67m of investment from the Scottish government.

Alstom also has been awarded a £250m contract for technical support and maintenance services over the next 10 years.

ScotRail managing director Joanne Maguire said passengers would see immediate benefits in "comfort, accessibility and reliability".

She added: "More modern trains are a significant factor in encouraging more people to leave the car at home and travel by rail.

"This investment will deliver a considerable improvement in the journey experience."

• Full exterior repaint and interior refresh with new carpets
• New passenger information system, multimedia displays and electronic seat reservation system
• Onboard Wi-Fi, plug sockets, USB-A and USB-C at every seat
• Wheelchair facilities, child pushchair space and storage for six bikes
• Reconfigured carriage layout and catering facilities for at-seat and trolley service

ScotRail said its existing HSTs presented "operational challenges" making them considerably more expensive to operate and maintain.

Six Class 222s are due to arrive in early 2027 specifically for training, to give staff nine months to familiarise before they enter passenger operation.

ScotRail said the diesel-electric trains would undergo "extensive maintenance" before they are delivered, with overhauls of engines and other critical components.

The final HST is expected to be replaced by December 2028.

The decades-old HSTs were introduced by ScotRail in 2018 after a similar refurbishment programme.

They were originally manufactured between 1975 and 1982 - launching under the name InterCity 125 because they could travel at 125mph.

Train drivers' union Aslef welcomed the replacement after a long-running campaign.

Scotland representative Jim Baxter said: "We have expressed our concerns for a number of years that the outdated HST trains were not fit for purpose.

"They needed replacing with trains that had far greater crashworthiness and were more comfortable for passengers.

"Our union is proud of the role we continue to play in fighting for railway services that meet the needs of workers and passengers alike."

One ScotRail HST was involved in the Stonehaven derailment in August 2020.

Three men died when the Aberdeen to Glasgow service came off the rails at Carmont in Aberdeenshire, after it hit debris following heavy rain.

Network Rail was fined £6.7m in court for a series of failings.

An inquiry heard the fatal crash would "more likely than not" have had a better outcome if the train had been built to modern safety standards.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the new Class 222s would support Scottish government ambitions to get more people travelling by rail.

She said: "This contract award takes our ambitions a step further as we move forward with replacing the existing intercity fleet with trains that offer improved facilities and accessibility.

"The replacement fleet will provide a range of modern passenger features, and the contract also ensures that Scottish suppliers have opportunities to contribute their expertise and services."