Edinburgh to Glasgow trains set to run despite rail strike

TRAINS from Edinburgh to Glasgow are expected to run as normal today despite a 24-hour strike by rail workers.

Train operator First ScotRail has claimed it is "business as usual" amid the RMT union walkout over plans to have drivers instead of guards operate the doors on a new rail link between Airdrie and Bathgate.

The union is holding a second one-day stoppage over the issue, which is has described as "safety-critical".

ScotRail said it was running at least nine out of 10 trains, as it did during the previous strike.

Its special timetable aimed to provide 100% of services on many routes - including Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street and all services in Strathclyde, except Motherwell-Cumbernauld.

It also aimed to run Glasgow and Edinburgh services to Aberdeen and Inverness as normal.

The RMT said about 560 workers were taking part in the latest industrial action with picket lines at key railway stations.

The 300m rail link from Glasgow to Edinburgh, via Airdrie to Bathgate, is due to open in December.