ScotRail Shotts Line Train from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley via Shotts
The last leg of my journey from Belfast with my Rail & Sail ticket is by the ScotRail Shotts Line train from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley via Shotts. While the Shotts Line isn’t the fastest train to Edinburgh from Glasgow, I chose it as it was departing from the same station as my train from Ayr, saving me the walk over to Glasgow Queen Street for faster ScotRail Express train, which may turn out to be the same travel time anyway, or even slower if I had missed the ScotRail Express train.
National Rail offers a Rail & Sail ticket which is an all in one ticket for rail from any Scottish station, coach link between Ayr and Cairnryan, and ferry travel to Belfast (via Cairnryan) with Stena Line. Regular 26-30 Railcard concessions apply on this ticket, offering a 34% discount off adult fare, which is perfect for me to head to Belfast from Edinburgh and back by train, bus, and ferry, all in a single train ticket.
Glasgow Central Railway Station
Checking my train’s departure on the departure board outside of the gate line.
Turns out that my ScotRail Shotts Line 2Y52 train from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley was departing from Platform 11, through the same gate line.
Heading through the gate line again, seconds after I had exited from it.
My ScotRail Shotts Line 2Y52 was the front train at Glasgow Central Platform 11.
My ScotRail Shotts Line 2Y52 train was formed of 2 sets of 3-car Class 385 AT200 in full standard class seating.
The interior of the ScotRail Class 385 AT200 train.
Departing from Glasgow Central at 5.16pm.
Crossing the Caledonian Railway Bridge over the River Clyde.
Heading south, away from the Ayrshire Coast Line.
Surprisingly, the Shotts Line train was not crowded even during the evening peak hours.
Passing by Polmadie Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot (T&RSMD).
Cambuslang Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Cambuslang.
Uddingston Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Uddingston.
Bellshill Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Bellshill.
Passing by the junction to the Motherwell-Cumbernauld Line.
Flying over the Motherwell-Cumbernauld Line.
Holytown Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Holytown.
Passing by the junction to the Argyle Line to Lanark.
Carfin Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Carfin.
Cleland Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Cleland.
Open fields along the way.
Hartwood Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Hartwood.
Shotts Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Shotts.
Fauldhouse Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Fauldhouse.
Breich Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Breich.
Addiewell Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Addiewell.
West Calder Railway Station
Making a brief stop at West Calder.
Livingston South Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Livingston South.
The Glasgow-Edinburgh via Carstairs Line merges with the Shotts Line at Midcalder Junction.
Kirknewton Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Kirknewton.
Curriehill Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Curriehill.
Passing over the Edinburgh City Bypass A720.
Wester Hailes Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Wester Hailes.
Kingsknowe Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Kingsknowe.
Slateford Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Slateford.
Passing by Slateford Depot.
Curving in to Edinburgh Haymarket.
Edinburgh Haymarket Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Edinburgh Haymarket.
Passing through the Haymarket Tunnels.
Approaching Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station.
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station
My ScotRail Shotts Line 2Y52 from Glasgow Central arrived at Edinburgh Waverley at 6.48pm – 1 minute early.
Heading out through the gate line.
Conclusion
The Rail & Sail to Belfast & Ireland ticket is an excellent all in one ticket if you are into the journey more than the destination as it includes the train ticket between any Scottish station and Ayr, coach link between Ayr and Cairnryan, and ferry travel between Cairnryan and Belfast with Stena Line. This deal makes it cheaper than the standalone train and ferry tickets if purchased separately, and the coach link between Ayr and Cairnryan is only available through this Rail & Sail ticket. It’s not the fastest journey from Scotland to Northern Ireland, but it is probably the most scenic.