ScotRail (National Express)

ScotRail

Company type	Franchise
Industry	Rail transport
Predecessor	ScotRail (British Rail)
Founded	March 1997 (1997-03)
Defunct	October 17, 2004 (2004-10-17)
Fate	Franchise ended; succeeded by First ScotRail
Successor	First ScotRail
Headquarters	Scotland , United Kingdom
Area served	Scotland and cross-border routes to Carlisle and Newcastle
Owner	National Express
Parent	National Express

ScotRail was a Scottish rail service operator owned by National Express that held the ScotRail franchise from March 1997 until October 2004. It took over from ScotRail (British Rail) and was subsequently succeeded by First ScotRail.

History

During the 1990s' privatisation of British Rail, ScotRail was the final franchise among 25 to be tendered. On 1 April 1997, National Express commenced operations, maintaining the ScotRail brand identity.

In 2002, National Express issued a warning that without increased public subsidies for the Caledonian Sleeper, continuing the service would be unsustainable. Two years afterwards, accusations arose claiming the company had manipulated sleeper train seat availability to lower passenger numbers and justify service reductions, allegations which National Express refuted.

The operation of ScotRail became a matter of political debate; in February 2003, the Scottish National Party committed to renationalising Scotland’s railways by terminating the ScotRail franchise in favor of public ownership.

By July 2003, the Scottish Executive alongside the Strategic Rail Authority shortlisted Arriva, FirstGroup, and National Express as contenders for the upcoming franchise. The contract was awarded to First ScotRail in June 2004, with operations transferring on 17 October 2004.

Services

ScotRail was responsible for nearly all passenger rail services within Scotland, except for certain routes operated by Arriva Trains Northern, GNER, Virgin CrossCountry, and Virgin Trains West Coast in England. It also managed cross-border services to Carlisle and Newcastle as well as the Caledonian Sleeper connecting Scotland with London.

Facing competition from low-cost airlines by 2004, ScotRail reduced select long-distance fares to maintain market competitiveness.

Rolling stock

The fleet inherited from British Rail included a variety of diesel and electric multiple units such as Classes 101, 117, 150, 156, 158, 303, 305, 314, 318, and 320, along with Mark 2 and Mark 3 coaches used for sleeper and passenger services.

For operating the Caledonian Sleeper to London Euston, ScotRail subcontracted English Welsh & Scottish (DB Cargo UK). Class 90 locomotives were used south of Edinburgh and Glasgow; Class 37 locomotives served routes to Fort William; while Class 47 locomotives operated on lines to Aberdeen and Inverness.

Class	Image	Type	Maximum speed		Production years
			mph	km/h
101		Diesel multiple unit	70	112	1956–1960
150 Sprinter			75	120	1984–1987
156 Super Sprinter					1987–1989
158 Express Sprinter			90	145	1989–1992
170 Turbostar			100	160	1999–2004
303 Blue Train		Electric multiple unit	75	120	1959–1961
305			1959–1960
314			1979
318		Electric multiple unit	90	145	1986–1987
320			75	120	1990
322			100	160
334 Coradia Juniper			90	145	1999–2002
British Rail Mark 2 Carriage	[[ File:ScotRail Mk2 coach at Euston.jpg| 100px]]	Passenger rolling stock	100	160	1969–1974
British Rail Mark 3 Carriage	[[ File:Fort William sleeper.jpg| 100px]]	Passenger rolling stock	125	200	1975–1988	} Depots The maintenance of ScotRail's rolling stock was carried out at depots located in Haymarket, Glasgow Shields Road, and Inverness. See also ScotRail, the train operator responsible for the ScotRail franchise from 1 April 2022 onward ScotRail (brand)