ScotRail (National Express)

This article is about the Scottish rail network operated by National Express between 1997 and 2004. For the story Scotland's railway network since creation of the ScotRail name, see ScotRail.

ScotRail

Info
Franchise(s):	ScotRail 31 March 1997 - 16 October 2004
Main Region(s):	Scotland
Other Region(s):	London, Watford, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Newcastle
Fleet size:	309
Stations operated:	336
Route km operated:	3032.0
National Rail abbreviation:	SR
Parent company:	National Express

ScotRail was a train operating company in the United Kingdom owned by National Express that operated the ScotRail franchise from March 1997 until October 2004.

Services

ScotRail operated all services in Scotland with the exception of the Arriva Trains Northern, Great North Eastern Railway, Virgin CrossCountry and Virgin West Coast services from England. ScotRail operated services into England with a service to Newcastle via Carlisle and the Caledonian Sleeper services to London Euston.

Rolling stock

ScotRail inherited a fleet of Class 101, Class 150, Class 156, Class 158, Class 303, Class 305, Class 314, Class 318 and Class 320s from British Rail as well as Mark 2 carriages and Mark 3 sleepers for use on the Caledonian Sleepers.

ScotRail contracted EWS to haul the Caledonian Sleeper services to London Euston. Class 90s were used south of Edinburgh and Glasgow Central with Class 37s used on the portion to Fort William and Class 47s to Aberdeen and Inverness. From June 2001 Class 67s began to take over. A dedicated pool was created due to the need to fit cast steel brakes.

ScotRail ordered 55 three-carriage Class 170 Turbostars and 40 three-carriage Class 334 Junipers.

In 2000 two Class 150s were transferred to Arriva Trains Northern.Class 158s were also transferred, four going to Arriva Trains Northern and two to Wessex Trains. The Class 101, Class 303 and Class 305s were all withdrawn.

In December 2001 five Class 322s were sublet from West Anglia Great Northern, they were returned in March 2004. To replace them ex Virgin Trains Mark 3s were leased, being hauled by EWS Class 90s on North Berwick Line services.

In 2005 four three-carriage Class 170s were transferred from Hull Trains.

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Built
			mph	km/h
Class 101		Diesel multiple unit	70	112	1956–1960
Class 150 Sprinter		Diesel multiple unit	75	120	1984–1987
Class 156 Super Sprinter		Diesel multiple unit	75	120	1987–1989
Class 158 Express Sprinter		Diesel multiple unit	90	145	1989–1992
Class 170 Turbostar		Diesel multiple unit	100	160	1999-2004
Class 303 Blue Train		Electric multiple unit	75	120	1959–1961
Class 314		Electric multiple unit	75	120	1979
Class 318		Electric multiple unit	90	145	1986-1987
Class 320		Electric multiple unit	75	120	1990
Class 322		Electric multiple unit	100	160	1990
Class 334 Juniper		Electric multiple unit	90	145	1999-2002
Mark 2 Carriage		Passenger rolling stock	100	160	1969–1974
Mark 3 Sleepers		Passenger rolling stock	125	200	1975–1988

Depots

ScotRail's fleet was maintained at Edinburgh Haymarket, Glasgow Shields Road and Inverness depots.

Demise

On 28 July 2003 Transport Scotland announced the shortlist for the new franchise with National Express included.

On 12 June 2004 Transport Scotland awarded the new franchise to First with the services operated by ScotRail transferring to First ScotRail on 17 October 2004.

External links

• http://www.railscot.co.uk/ScotRail/frame.htm

Preceded by Regional Railways As part of British Rail

Operator of ScotRail franchise 1997 - 2004

Succeeded by First ScotRail