East Kilbride goes electric as ScotRail brings in new timetable

ScotRail’s new timetable starts on Sunday, 14 December, and will see the introduction of electric trains between East Kilbride and Glasgow Central.

Most changes across the network are minor, but customers are encouraged to check their journeys on the ScotRail website, mobile app, or through social media channels as some train times may have been altered.

The introduction of modern four-carriage class 380 trains follows the major project – funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Network Rail – to electrify the East Kilbride line, delivering smoother, quieter, and more comfortable journeys for customers.

The electric trains replace four-carriage class 156 diesel trains currently operating on the route, meaning once the timetable change is introduced, around 75 per cent of services between Glasgow Central and East Kilbride will be operated by electric trains. Six-carriage class 156 trains will continue to operate on the route.

Other notable changes include:

• Additional evening services between Glasgow Central and East Kilbride, delivering a broad half-hourly service Monday to Saturday, offering more choice and flexibility for leisure and late-night travel.
• More carriages on a number of peak-time services on the Glasgow Central – Newton/Neilston/Cathcart Circle routes.
• Additional evening services between Edinburgh Waverley and Dunblane, providing two trains per hour Monday to Saturday, calling at all stations.
• New morning weekday services between Edinburgh Waverley and North Berwick / Dunbar.
• ScotRail services between Edinburgh Waverley and North Berwick, Dunbar, and Tweedbank also see revised timings to accommodate cross-border timetable changes by other train operators.
• Some evening Edinburgh – Dunbar services begin to stop at Prestonpans, Longniddry, and Drem, removing a two-hour gap between services.
• Changes to services in Fife to allow Network Rail enhanced access for the ongoing electrification works between Burntisland and Thornton North Junction. This includes some services operating via Dunfermline instead of Kirkcaldy on Monday to Thursday, and Sunday evenings.

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said:

“This timetable marks another important milestone for Scotland’s Railway.

“While most changes across the network are minor, we’ve made a range of changes to deliver more services, improve capacity where it’s needed most, and to support ongoing investment in the decarbonisation of Scotland’s Railway.

“We are encouraging customers to plan ahead and check the ScotRail app and website for journey times before they set off.”

Details on the main changes that will be introduced from Sunday, 14 December:

Additional evening services on Glasgow Central – East Kilbride line:

• 2021 Glasgow Central to East Kilbride.
• 2058 East Kilbride to Glasgow Central.
• 2117 Glasgow Central to East Kilbride.
• 2157 East Kilbride to Glasgow Central.
• 2218 Glasgow Central to East Kilbride.
• 2257 East Kilbride to Glasgow Central.

Additional carriages on peak-time services between Glasgow Central and Neilston / Newton / Cathcart Circle:

• 0724 Neilston to Glasgow Central now six carriages (was four).
• 0813 Glasgow Central to Glasgow Central (via Cathcart Circle) now six carriages (was
• three).
• 0852 Glasgow Central to Glasgow Central (via Cathcart Circle) now six carriages (was three).
• 1720 Glasgow Central to Newton now six carriages (was four).

Additional evening services between Edinburgh Waverley and Dunblane:

• 2101 Dunblane to Edinburgh Waverley.
• 2154 Dunblane to Edinburgh Waverley.
• 2255 Dunblane to Edinburgh Waverley.
• 2035 Edinburgh Waverley to Dunblane.
• 2134 Edinburgh Waverley to Dunblane.
• 2235 Edinburgh Waverley to Dunblane.
• 2332 Edinburgh Waverley to Dunblane (Saturday only).

Additional morning weekday services from Dunbar / North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley:

• 0741 Dunbar to Edinburgh Waverley (calling at East Linton, Drem, Prestonpans, Wallyford, Musselburgh).
• 0819 North Berwick to Edinburgh Waverley (all stations).

Source: ScotRail