First ScotRail
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First ScotRail is the current name for Scotland's national railway train franchise. It runs all domestic trains services within Scotland, as well as the cross-border Caledonian Sleeper service to London.
On 17 October 2004 the franchise was transferred to First Group from National Express resulting in the rebranding from ScotRail to First ScotRail. This was the first time the Scottish franchise has been renegotiated since the privatisation of British Rail.
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Network
The First ScotRail network is mixture of long distance, commuter and rural lines.
The densest part of the network is the suburban network around Glasgow, which is the largest suburban rail network outside of London. Much of it is 25kV electrified. Glasgow's main terminal stations are Central Station and Queen Street Station. Although First Scotrail operate the trains in this area, they do so under the Strathclyde Passenger Transport name, who set the timetables and fares, and brand the trains in their livery.
Edinburgh's suburban network is less dense than Glasgow's, but still relatively extensive. Edinburgh's main station is Waverley Station.
Express services operate between Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen.
Rural lines include the scenic West Highland Main Line, Kyle Line and Far North Line. These are not generally well used, but are kept open for a variety of reasons, including social necessity, tourism and political considerations.
ScotRail operate the sleeper services operate to Euston station in London, along the West Coast Main Line.
Network Rail own all stations in Scotland, but only operate Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley, while First Scotrail operate most of the other stations. The exception is Prestwick airport station, which is owned by the airport.
Fleet
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The present diesel fleet is comprised of a mixture of Class 156 'Sprinters' and Class 158 'Sprinters' which were acquired during the British Rail era, and Class 170 'Turbostars' which were acquired post-privatisation.
The present electric fleet includes Class 314s, Class 318s, Class 320s and Class 334 'Junipers'
The sleepers are comprised of specially adapted Mark 3 coaches, which are hauled by EWS locomotives.
Performance
The performance figures for National Express' last quarter as franchise holders, July to September 2004, are:
- 82.8% of trains arriving within 5 minutes of the scheduled time. Down 4.2% on the same quarter the previous year.
- 84.2% of trains arriving within 5 minutes of the scheduled time. Down 1.0% on the previous year as a whole.
The performance figures for First Group's first quarter* as franchise holders, October to December 2004, are:
- 79.8% of trains arriving within 5 minutes of the scheduled time. Down 1.9% on the same quarter the previous year
- 83.7% of trains arriving within 5 minutes of the schedules time. Down 0.5% on the previous year as a whole.
*NOTE: The franchise did not get handed over to the First Group until 17th October.
See also
- Other train operating companies operating in Scotland:
External links
- FirstScotRail.com (http://www.firstscotrail.com)
- Strategic rail authority announcement on the franchise transfer to First Group (http://www.sra.gov.uk/news/2004/8/rail_franchise_agreement)nl:First ScotRail