‘Fish bowl’ vision on ScotRail Class 385 delays unit start and cascade

by

VISIBILITY problems stemming from the curved windscreen in the driver’s cab of the new-build
Class 385 EMUs is the latest stumbling block to hit the replacement for the Class 170s DMUs on the flagship Glasgow Queen St to Edinburgh route.

An issue of seeing double signals has been found during testing of the trains over the Glasgow to Paisley Gilmour St route at night.

As a result, introduction of the units, planned for March, has been deferred until the May timetable change in the hope a solution can be found.

Article continues below…
Advert

Enjoy more Railway reading in the monthly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.
New Class 385 No. 385104 arrives at Prestonpans on February 16 during a crew-training run from Dunbar to Edinburgh Waverley. With no tannoy announcements, the pause at the station caused some confusion for passengers awaiting the following North Berwick to Edinburgh service. IAN LOTHIAN

The fleet of 24 four-car and 46 three-car sets, built by Hitachi, is costing £370million, and is being introduced by ScotRail on busy electrified routes. However, delays with the electrification of the route, unit construction and delivery, which has impacted driver training, has meant the introduction of the class to service is a around year late. The windscreen issue, raised by rail union Aslef, is the latest setback.

Aslef’s organiser in Scotland Kevin Lindsay said: “The windscreen is curved and, at night, is making drivers see two signals. It’s like looking through a fish bowl all the time.”

Read more in the March issue of The RM – on sale now!

Article continues below…
Advert


Advert
Subscribe to The Railway Magazine
Enjoy more of The Railway Magazine reading every month. Click here to subscribe.

Railway Reads

From the history of steam through to 21st century rail transport news, we have titles that cater for all rail enthusiasts. Covering diesels, modelling, steam and modern railways, check out our range of magazines and fantastic subscription offers.


Article Tags:

About the Author