43mph?! How the slow train to Waverley revealed ScotRail’s shocking lack of ambition – Stephen Jardine
Stephen Jardine dreams of fast French trains as he endures a three-hour journey from Aberdeen to Edinburgh
“Your journey has been delayed due to slippery rails.” That was the announcement, as it is every autumn on the railways. Apparently leaves on the line can mean train wheels losing grip, making it harder for them to stop quickly.
Which is why my 9.03pm train from Aberdeen to Edinburgh on Wednesday left the Granite City at a snail’s pace and continued in that fashion all the way south until it arrived in Waverley three hours later. Three hours to cover the 129 miles between Scotland’s capital and its third biggest city. In 2026, that is the pace of progress.
When it comes to punctuality, ScotRail actually beats many other train companies. We also have one of the safest railway systems in Europe. So we are safe and reliable but that’s not enough in a competitive world. Where’s the ambition?
Virtually empty carriages
Our cars are now computer-powered entertainment systems and climate-controlled environments as well as being a handy way to get around. Just think how much they have changed in a lifetime.
On the train on Wednesday night, the wifi wasn’t working and the toilet was out of order. There were also only about ten passengers on a three-carriage train. Could the poor facilities and lack of enthusiasm for the service possibly be connected?
In a climate emergency, we should be trying to get as many people as possible out of their cars and onto the railways. To do that we need a transport system fit for the modern world. When was the last time you heard anyone talking about the ambition for Scotland’s railways?
ScotRail’s website carries its mission statement. Brace yourself. “Our long-term vision is a railway that empowers people, strengthens communities, and contributes to a greener Scotland.” That sounds like it was written by someone who’s never been on a train.
How about this instead? “Our long-term vision is a railway that connects places as quickly as possible and provides a clean, modern and efficient environment for passengers.” We’d all be onboard for that.
Leaves exist in other countries too
On certain lines, speed should be part of the plan. Winding your way over the Glenfinnan viaduct on a sunny day, you want to slow down and enjoy the view. But crawling along the mainline through Fife on a pitch-black, cold autumn night, you just want to get home quickly.
Compared to the rest of Europe, we are in the slow lane. The UK has a very limited high-speed network when measured against the continent. Germany has 1,600km of high-speed track and France has over 2,700km. In comparison, we have just 109km.
Other countries also have leaves on the line in October but still seem able to offer a fast and efficient service.
READ MORE: ScotRail reveals how many £10 minimum fares issued to passengers since new penalty introduced
The abolition of peak fares this time last year was a welcome move in getting people out of their cars and onto the railways. But the next step has to be an investment programme to improve the quality of the experience for travellers and increase the speed between key strategic locations across Scotland.
It’s not enough just to tell people they should be travelling by train, you’ve got to make them actively want to do so and that means good catering, working wifi, functioning toilets and trains that don’t take three hours just to cover 129 miles.
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