ScotRail Express 1R41 from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street

The ScotRail Glasgow-Edinburgh via Falkirk Line is the most direct railway line connecting Edinburgh Waverley with Glasgow Queen Street and is Scotland’s first inter-city railway, opening on 2 February 1842. For this trip to Glasgow, the ScotRail Express would get me there from Edinburgh in the fastest time.

Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station

Heading in to Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station from the Market Street entrance.

Looks like I’ve already found the platform for the next departing ScotRail Express train to Glasgow Queen Street.

Heading down to the ticket machines at the concourse to purchase my ticket to Glasgow.

My onward Off-Peak Day Return ticket for the return ScotRail Express train to Glasgow Queen Street. There are no price differences for a weekend Off-Peak Day Return ticket purchased from any ticketing platforms, so I just bought mine on the spot.

Heading through the ticket gates to Platform 12.

Platform 12 is just beside the ticket gate.

It’s 13 minutes to departure, but the train was just arriving at Edinburgh Waverley.

The ScotRail Express trains run on this fixed route throughout the day, so it’s just the same trains shuttling back and forth between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street.

The 4-car British Rail Class 385/1 AT200 operating on the ScotRail Express service also has First Class seating.

My ScotRail Express 1R41 train was formed of 2 4-car British Rail Class 385/1 AT200 sets.

Class 385 First Class

I headed to the First Class section to take a peek at the interior first.

First Class seating on board the Class 385/1 AT200 are in a 2+1 configuration with mainly table seating.

Luggage racks are available near the train doors.

For the 1 row of airline-style seats, a fold-down table is available from the seat back in front.

A 3-pin power socket is available below the seats.

As compared with Standard Class, window shades are available in First Class.

Reading lights are also available.

Class 385 Standard Class

Heading back to Standard Class where I belong. Half of the carriage is shared between First Class and Standard Class, with Standard Class forming the rest of the 3 cars within the 4-car set.

Wheelchair spaces are available on board.

The toilet is also wheelchair-accessible.

My ScotRail Express 1R41 at Edinburgh Waverley.

I headed to the front coach where it was empty.

A mix of table and airline-style seats are available.

A non-wheelchair-accessible toilet is available on this side of the set.

Space outside the toilet with fold-down seats is available for bicycles.

The train just started to get a little bit filled before departure.

My ScotRail Express 1R41 departed from Edinburgh Waverley at 10.29am – 1 minute early.

Heading through the Haymarket Tunnels.

Haymarket Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Haymarket Railway Station.

The Edinburgh Trams line run parallel with the railway tracks west of Haymarket Railway Station.

Passing by Haymarket Depot with lots of stabling trains.

Passing by Murrayfield Stadium.

The Fife Circle Line splits off at where Saughton tram stop is located beside.

Passing through Edinburgh Park Railway Station.

The Edinburgh Trams line heads over the Glasgow-Edinburgh via Falkirk Line just after Edinburgh Park Railway Station.

Heading through the country.

Approaching Linlithgow.

Linlithgow Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Linlithgow Railway Station.

Passing by Polmont Junction with tracks leading to Falkirk Grahamston and other towns and cities north.

Falkirk High Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Falkirk High Railway Station.

Croy Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Croy Railway Station.

Passing through the Cowlairs Junctions.

Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station

Arriving in to Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station.

My ScotRail Express 1R41 arrived at Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station at 11.18am – 3 minutes delayed.

Heading out of the ticket gates at Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station.

The concourse of Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station is simple with an open space in front of the ticket gates at the end of the platform, and ticketing facilities at the side.

The entrance on the right of the ticket gates lead to the Glasgow Subway entrance to Buchanan Street Subway Station.

Conclusion

The ScotRail Express is the fastest rail link between Edinburgh and Glasgow with trains on the Glasgow-Edinburgh via Falkirk Line taking around 45 minutes for the journey between these 2 major Scottish cities. Stations are limited and stops are brief, so it’s a regular point-to-point service with not much differentiation between trains on this line.