ScotRail (National Express)

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ScotRail
ScotRail (National Express) logo.svg
156457 at Oban.jpg
Class 156 at Oban station in June 2005
Overview
Franchise(s)ScotRail
31 March 1997 – 16 October 2004
Main Region(s) Scotland
Fleet309
Stations operated336
Parent company National Express
Reporting mark SR
Predecessor ScotRail (British Rail)
Successor First ScotRail
Technical
Length3,032.0 km (1,884.0 mi)[ citation needed ]

ScotRail [1] was a train operating company in Scotland owned by National Express that operated the ScotRail franchise from March 1997 until October 2004. Prior to March 1997 ScotRail (British Rail) ran the trains and after October 2004 First ScotRail ran them.

Contents

History

During the 1990s, the British Government undertook the privatisation of British Rail; the formerly state-owned ScotRail operation was the final of 25 passenger franchises to be bid for. On 1 April 1997, the British transport operator National Express took over operations of the franchise from incumbent British Rail; it operated under the ScotRail brand. [2] [3]

During 2002, National Express claimed that, unless additional public funding was provided to operate the Caledonian Sleeper, the company could not afford to continue the service. Two years later, the operator was accused of misleading the travelling public about seat availability on its sleeper services, the alleged motive being to lower passenger numbers and thus strengthen the business case for the service's termination; this allegation was denied by a company spokesperson. [4]

The nature of ScotRail was a matter of some political controversy throughout its operation; in February 2003, the Scottish National Party publicly promised to undertake various measures towards the renationalisation of Scotland's rail services, specifically mentioning the ending of the ScotRail franchise in favour of state control. [5]

In July 2003, the Scottish Executive and the Strategic Rail Authority shortlisted Arriva, FirstGroup and National Express to bid for the next franchise. [6] During June 2004, the franchise was awarded to First ScotRail; operations were transferred to the new operator on 17 October 2004. [7] [8]

Services

ScotRail operated all passenger train services in Scotland, with the exception of the Arriva Trains Northern, GNER, Virgin CrossCountry and Virgin Trains West Coast services from England. ScotRail operated services into England with services to Carlisle and Newcastle, and the Caledonian Sleeper services between Scotland and London.

By 2004, in response to competitive pressure from emerging budget airlines, ScotRail had reduced some of its long distance fares. [9]

Rolling stock

Class 170 at Edinburgh Waverley Diesel Multiple Unit at Waverley Station - geograph.org.uk - 3197488.jpg
Class 170 at Edinburgh Waverley

ScotRail inherited a fleet of Class 101, Class 117 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 and on some other passenger services.

ScotRail contracted English Welsh & Scottish 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.

ClassImageTypeTop speedBuilt
mphkm/h
101 101692 at Arley.JPG Diesel multiple unit 701121956–1960
150 Sprinter 150262 at Cardiff Central.JPG 751201984–1987
156 Super Sprinter 156457 at Oban.jpg 1987–1989
158 Express Sprinter First ScotRail 158709 2005-06-17 01.jpg 901451989–1992
170 Turbostar Spt 170476 glasgow.jpg 1001601999–2004
303 Blue Train Class 303 016 at Langside.JPG Electric multiple unit 751201959–1961
305 Scotrail 305501 at Edinburgh Waverly.jpg 1959–1960
314 British Rail Class 314.jpg 1979
314SPT.png

314SR.png

318 British Rail Class 318 at Gourock.jpg Electric multiple unit 901451986–1987
320 SPT320s Helensburgh.JPG 751201990
322 322485 at London Liverpool Street.JPG 100160
334 Coradia Juniper British Rail Class 334 005.jpg 901451999–2002
Mark 2 Carriage ScotRail Mk2 coach at Euston.jpg Passenger rolling stock 1001601969–1974
Mark 3 Carriage Fort William sleeper.jpg 1252001975–1988

Depots

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ "ScotRail Railways Limited: company no 2938994". Companies House. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Donegan, Lawrence (1 April 1997). "First and final BR man sees off its last train". The Guardian.
  3. ↑ "ScotRail prize goes to National Express". The Railway Magazine. No. 1152. April 1997. p. 9.
  4. ↑ "ScotRail accused of "ghost train" tactics". heraldscotland.com. 2 January 2004.
  5. ↑ "SNP plans to renationalise railway scorned as "misleading"". heraldscotland.com. 11 February 2004.
  6. ↑ "Shortlist of ScotRail bidders puts three in the ring". Herald Scotland. 28 October 2003. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016.
  7. ↑ "FirstGroup clinches Scottish rail franchise". The Daily Telegraph. 12 June 2004. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018.
  8. ↑ "ScotRail's reign hits the buffer". BBC News. 15 October 2004.
  9. ↑ "Simon Calder: The Man Who Pays His Way". The Independent. 13 March 2004.
Preceded by Operator of ScotRail franchise
1997–2004		Succeeded by
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