Brake problems disrupt ScotRail's new trains on Edinburgh-Glasgow line

One of ScotRail's brand new trains caused significant disruption to its busiest line today because of defective brakes.
A Scotrail train. Picture: Lisa FergusonA Scotrail train. Picture: Lisa Ferguson
A Scotrail train. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

The train operator admitted it was the latest of a series of similar problems to have hit the class 385 electric trains since last month.

It is understood the latest incident happened near Winchburgh on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line at lunchtime, when the brakes did not work properly.

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The Japanese-designed Hitachi train was taken out of service, but others in the fleet are still operating.

A rail source said of a previous incident last month: “The train almost overshot Falkirk High, due to ‘very poor brakes’ after investigation by Hitachi.

“In the rear three carriages, a computer isolated all the brakes for no apparent reason, so only the front four carriages were braking.”

ScotRail chief operating officer Angus Thom said: “The brand new Hitachi class 385 electric trains have been operating well since their introduction in July.

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‘A technical fault has been identified on one of the trains today which Hitachi is now investigating.

“We are sorry to any customers whose journey was disrupted as a result of this.”

A ScotRail spokesman added: “The train in question today is heading to [Edinburgh depot] Craigentinny for testing.

“It caused some delays and cancellations earlier in the day.

“The remaining 385s are still currently in service.

“There were a small number of cancellations in September caused by the fault.

“All trains have normal braking and secondary braking to keep people safe.”