Second high-speed train arrives for Scotland ahead of roll out

Scotland took another step to having its seven cities connected by high-speed trains with the arrival of the second of such trains.

ScotRail Alliance welcomed its second high-speed train which will connect Scotland's seven cities. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

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The high-speed train arrived in Edinburgh to be based in Haymarket, where it will be used for driver training between Edinburgh and Dundee ahead of the fleet being rolled out from May next year.

One carriage of the five-carriage train will be detached and used by engineering team at Haymarket for maintenance training.

The first of the trains arrived in September where it was sent to Aberdeen.

The fleet of 26 will provide a 33 per cent increase in capacity on Scotland’s inter-city network and include increased luggage space, power sockets at seats and enhanced on-board catering.

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Chris Tait, ScotRail Alliance high-speed train project manager, said: “The weekend’s arrival of our second high-speed train in Edinburgh is another exciting milestone in our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.

“Our high-speed trains will provide more seats, better services and improved experience for our customers.

“Once fully refurbished, these trains will transform rail travel between Scotland’s seven cities - offering better connections for commuters and business travellers as well as providing fantastic opportunities for tourists to see more of our great country.

“The investment we are making in these high-speed trains is a clear sign of the ScotRail Alliance’s commitment to building a world class railway for the whole of Scotland.”