An electric train has run from Glasgow to East Kilbride for the first time in the line’s history.
The Class 380 train completed a successful test journey overnight on Monday, as engineers monitored how the newly electrified line performed.
The test is a key step in the Scottish Government’s £144m East Kilbride Enhancement project, which aims to fully electrify the route.
Gerry McQuade, capital delivery director at Network Rail Scotland, said the journey was “a proud moment for everyone involved”.
He said: “It’s such a visible sign of the progress we’ve made, and the scale of work delivered to get us to this point.
“By upgrading the infrastructure to enable electric trains to run, the project supports a move towards more sustainable rail travel, while also bringing improvements in reliability and the overall passenger experience.”
Opened in two stages in 1866 and 1868, the Glasgow-East Kilbride line was shut for four months earlier this year to allow electrification works to take place, before reopening in May.
In recent years, engineers have installed 22km of overhead lines and built two new stations in Hairmyres and East Kilbride.
McQuade remarked: “This milestone is the result of an incredible effort from our teams who work around the clock to deliver the project safely and efficiently, and I look forward to seeing the first electric passenger trains running later this year.”
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Mark Ilderton, ScotRail’s Service Delivery Director, added: “Seeing electric trains being tested on the East Kilbride line is a fantastic milestone for Scotland’s Railway, and an exciting moment for everyone who travels on the route.
“This is a huge step forward on the journey to delivering a greener, more reliable, and more efficient service for our customers.”
He added: “The work that’s been carried out is helping to deliver a railway fit for the future – one that supports local communities, reduces emissions, and makes choosing rail an easier and greener choice.”
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