Edinburgh to Glasgow via Carstairs

[frvic93]

Hello, I was wondering, do any passenger trains use this route nowadays? Does it still exist as a proper route at all? I can't seem to find any trains using it, but I'm quite new to rail-enthusiast stuff so I'm possibly not looking in the right place.

 

[JonathanH]

Hello, I was wondering, do any passenger trains use this route nowadays? Does it still exist as a proper route at all? I can't seem to find any trains using it, but I'm quite new to rail-enthusiast stuff so I'm possibly not looking in the right place.

Yes, all Cross Country and LNER trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow plus a handful of Scotrail services.

Here are the services today, the ones in grey pass through Carstairs, the ones in black stop.

Two services stopping Glasgow Central to Edinburgh
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...22-02-28/0700-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Trains passing through (ignore the sleeper empties)
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...2-02-28/0700-0159?stp=WVS&show=pass&order=wtt

Two services stopping Edinburgh to Glasgow Central
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...22-02-28/0200-0159?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

[Ex-controller]

Through XC services to Glasgow Central still use it, not sure how often they run any more though, handful of services per day.

ScotRail service over the route withdrawn for time being.

 

[frvic93]

Interesting, thanks both. I'll keep an eye on that realtimetrains site.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

ScotRail service over the route withdrawn for time being.

Thought some were still running. Not many mind. 0742 and 1741 departures today from Edinburgh, to Glasgow Central, via Slateford, Carstairs and Motherwell.

Three Scotrail services in the opposite direction, at 0750, 1740 and 1947 departures from Glasgow Central.

 

[Scotrail84]

Thought some were still running. Not many mind. 0742 and 1741 departures today from Edinburgh, to Glasgow Central, via Slateford, Carstairs and Motherwell.

Three Scotrail services in the opposite direction, at 0750, 1740 and 1947 departures from Glasgow Central.

Theres also a 23:13 From Edinburgh to Motherwell which is booked a 158, calls at Carstairs at 23:59.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Both TPE and Avanti use the route to get empty trains which start/end their day at Edinburgh to/from Polmadie depot near Glasgow Central, early and late in the day.
The Edinburgh portion of the lowland Caledonian Sleeper also joins/splits with the Glasgow portion at Carstairs.
The Edinburgh sleeper portion also works empty via Carstairs to Polmadie depot during the day for servicing.
So the line is busier than it might seem.

 

[route101]

Through XC services to Glasgow Central still use it, not sure how often they run any more though, handful of services per day.

ScotRail service over the route withdrawn for time being.

I think its 3x daily for the XC. I do wonder if full service will come back.

 

[hexagon789]

I think its 3x daily for the XC. I do wonder if full service will come back.

The usual ScotRail service is due to return in December, the remaining XC provision is not due to return I understand.

 

[Watershed]

Hello, I was wondering, do any passenger trains use this route nowadays? Does it still exist as a proper route at all? I can't seem to find any trains using it, but I'm quite new to rail-enthusiast stuff so I'm possibly not looking in the right place.

Yes, but only a handful a day. Essentially the bare minimum to keep traincrew competent and to tick the box that there are still direct trains from Glasgow to Kings Cross and the Midlands & SW.

Apparently the ticket office at Carstairs is open until 14:14, even though there isn't another departure (until the evening 'peak') after the 08:10 to Glasgow. I couldn't verify that when I visited the station recently, as it was after 14:14. I imagine they must get rather bored!