EXTRA trains could be coming down the track for Lockerbie station.
The Grand Union Trains company has applied to run a new route between Stirling and London Euston from 2025.
And eight trains a day are proposed to stop in Lockerbie as a result.
Grand Union has applied to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for permission to operate the service on the West Coast Mainline and their bid is currently under consideration.
A spokesperson yesterday said: “The plan is for four return services each day, so eight stopping trains in total. They will be spread throughout the day, roughly two-three hours apart, but the final timetable is not yet determined.
“However the capacity to operate these extra trains has been identified and accepted by Network Rail. We are hoping for a decision from the ORR by summer this year.”
Discussing the plans on their website, the company also say: “This service will transform the connectivity of a whole range of significant and rapidly changing Scottish towns along the Scottish Central corridor.
“The line will avoid the congested Edinburgh and Glasgow stations, giving passengers a faster service without any changes required. Electric or dual mode trains will be used along the route, with a potential travelling speed of up to 125mph.
“We have had discussions with Transport Scotland, local authorities along the route and ScotRail to discuss how we can invest in station upgrades at Larbert, Greenfaulds, Whifflet and Lockerbie to improve passenger and staff facilities.”
But the spokesperson stressed ‘it is too early in the process to discuss potential upgrades with the various stakeholders’.
Grand Union initially applied for the new service in 2019 and the firm has clarified that this new bid is a follow up with some revisions, mainly to rolling stock type.
The new operation is expected to create approximately 100 new and permanent full-time roles. It is unclear if any of them will be in Dumfriesshire.
Grand Union operate a seat pledge, whereby a seat is part of the ticket price for all journeys over 30 minutes and refunds are offered for anyone having to stand.
The firm was set up by managing director Ian Yeowart in 1999 and currently operates along the East Coast.
Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell yesterday stated he was pleased to see the proposed services between Stirling and London Euston were back on the agenda and included Lockerbie as a stop.
He said: “After such a long disappointing period of poor service and cancellations at Lockerbie from the current main franchise holders I believe additional competition on this route could be a force for good.
“It was also encouraging to see Grand Union express an interest in investing in improved passenger and staff facilities at Lockerbie Station.”
Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell added: “Any new services from Lockerbie Railway Station are always welcome.
“But, for most passengers, the priority at the moment would be improved reliability of the existing services which have been completely unacceptable.”
