ScotRail’s Class 385 fleet has clocked up more than 62 million miles since entering passenger service in 2018 – more than 130 return journeys to the Moon.
The 70-strong electric fleet had travelled a combined 62,827,366 miles by the end of July 2026, underlining the important role the trains play in connecting communities across Scotland’s Railway.
Since their introduction, an estimated 25.5 million passengers have been carried on routes linking Edinburgh and Glasgow, across the south side of Glasgow, and east towards North Berwick.
ScotRail’s Class 385 trains mostly replaced its diesel Class 170 fleet and have delivered an estimated 82% reduction in carbon emissions during their time in service, compared with the diesel units.
The fleet was built by Hitachi Rail and is maintained at Craigentinny depot in Edinburgh through a close partnership between ScotRail and Hitachi teams.
That robust maintenance regime has helped the trains maintain an excellent safety record and deliver a reliable service for customers since 2018.
And with more than 62 million miles on the clock, the Class 385s continue to be recognised across the rail industry for reliability and performance, winning a Golden Spanner award in two of the past three years.
The industry-wide awards recognise the UK’s most reliable train fleets across a range of categories, based on performance and maintenance data.
ScotRail Engineering Director Barbara McIntyre said: “Clocking up more than 62 million miles is a significant milestone for the Class 385 fleet and for everyone who works hard to keep the trains running safely and reliably.
“To put that distance into perspective, it is the equivalent of travelling to the Moon and back more than 130 times.
“Since entering service in 2018, the trains have carried more than 25 million passengers and have become an important part of daily travel for communities across central Scotland.
“The fleet’s two Golden Spanner awards in the past three years show that these trains continue to be recognised across the rail industry for their reliability and performance.
“They have also helped us significantly reduce the environmental impact of operating these routes, with an estimated 82 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared with the diesel trains they replaced.
“This achievement reflects the dedication of our engineering teams and the strength of our partnership with Hitachi Rail at Craigentinny.”
Image credit: ScotRail