I CATCH THE SLOW TRAIN to Edinburgh Waverley from Glasgow Queen Street. My first time on this line.

There are 5 direct rail journeys from Glasgow Queen Street low level station to Edinburgh Waverley. I decide to catch the slowest service which takes twice as long as the quickest. I had never travelled on this line before, so come and share the experience with me.
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[@jimph1]

I am a driver on this route, you should try the full journey from Helensburgh central to Edinburgh waverly, 31 Stations in just over 2 hours. Great video as always 👍

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

Hmmm.... a coast-to-coast train journey? That's got my brain ticketing away. 👍

[@cathrynglee3484]

35 at evenings and Sundays

[@phillipecook3227]

Had no idea you could get a train from Helensburgh to Edinburgh!

[@ragnarstorm3902]

@@phillipecook3227 Normally you also get Milngavie to Edinburgh on the same line every 30 minutes.

[@amacksplatoon]

@@PlanesTrainsEverything I think you should definitely do this journey, It’s very interesting

[@robertgall92]

As someone originally from Coatbridge, this line has been very useful for me. Great access to Glasgow (within 25-30 minutes) and also Edinburgh (within 45-50 minutes). It may not be the more scenic route, but it's essential to many living in Scotland's central belt.

[@patricialockhart2135]

When I first got that train and it stopped at Coatbridge Sunnyside I was surprised, Coatbridge had a sunny side lol

[@stephenduncan3605]

Yes it is. Its also useful for people in Airdrie, Bathgate and Livingston (although Livingston also has a station on the Shotts line)!

[@alexstrains3007]

@@stephenduncan3605 But I'm sure people would much rather the Helensburgh/Milngavie services since most of the day, Livingston South is only seen by an hourly service, which takes longer

[@stephenduncan3605]

@@alexstrains3007 so only one of the two trains an hour stop there then.

[@dmreid9620]

Even though I generally change at Queen Street to the fast train when going to Edinburgh, sometimes this slow train is really useful as it goes directly to my local station, Hyndland. The other day I was returning from Edinburgh airport and it was so easy getting the tram to Edinburgh Park station then changing onto a train that would take me nearly to my front door, rather than going all the way into Waverley or Haymarket, then getting fast train to Queen Street, and then changing again onto the low level train to Hyndland.

[@Pmjs]

The slow train used to be the Edinburgh to Glasgow Central via Shotts. We used to work old DMUs 101s etc&156s.

[@maryreid4273]

Does it still run? It was a handy extra train from Uddingston to Glasgow - when our other electric trains used to go to the low level and stop at several stations on the way, the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts just stopped at one more station and then when into the high level station. All the Uddingston trains go into the high level now though.

[@stephenduncan3605]

@@maryreid4273 yes it does and the line has been electrified using the brand new class 385 units!

[@maryreid4273]

@@stephenduncan3605 Ah cool, I remember as far back as the old bouncy DMU's that used to do that run. I prefer diesel trains tbh, but electric is maybe cleaner in the long run.

[@AymanTravelTransport]

Slight mistake at 3:20 - the Class 320 train that was running to Balloch is actually almost a decade older (built in 1990) than the Class 334 you were riding on

[@patricialockhart2135]

I've got that train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. My daughter lives in Anniesland and the train goes to Anniesland direct. Slower but saves me having to change trains.

[@FatLassOnTheTrain]

It's an absolutely wonderful link for those of us that live in the east end of Glasgow. Gives us a direct link to Edinburgh without having to go back into Queen Street. Helensburgh the other way. Good for Edinburgh Park for the tram link to the airport. Also great for linking up with LNER for trips down the east coast. Usually a 6 carriage train but often gets busy after Bathgate. Has decent cycle spaces on it too.

[@markmcgoldrick2309]

I take that train from Coatbridge Sunnyside to Edinburgh every Saturday. Prior to the line opening in 2010, I had to take a train from Coatbridge westwards to Glasgow Queen Street before heading upstairs for train to Edinburgh. So thankfully this service is available. Great video.

[@tommo170]

would express trains return in aug

[@jirosuguro3044]

As someone who used to live near Partick but with family in Edinburgh, the 'scenic' route suited me just fine. Saved me the bother of switching trains and let me read a bit more on the way!

[@afcgeo882]

The line exists to provide rail access from the local towns to both cities for commuting and to reduce congestion on the M8. It’s not really for intercity travel.

[@tonybrown2284]

Hello.Scott.oh.i think you are so very brave and very smart about a lot of things i have a handcep.i was born with procedural proposal.on the right side of my body.so it's very hard for me to get around.so i wach all of your great video's and i see myself right there with you.in mind.and i root you on from start to finish.i just really like and appreciate.how you just do it.and i just think you guys are.very awesome.i just love watching.your video's thank you guys please 👍 👍 👍 👍 a very very 👍 👍 job.please keep bringing.safe and a very very 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 work.Thank you for all that you do.

[@glburley4837]

Thanks for taking us along.

[@I_hate_Vegemite]

This channel is proving to be gold. We now have another means to get to Caldercruix, another village on the bucket list for our trip to Scotland. Unfortunately Hillend Reservoir is not such a good place, my mother’s older sister Sarah (Sadie) Collop drowned there as a young child.

[@slaneyaudio1948]

I went on a return day trip ticket from Edinburgh (Waverley) to Glasgow and the train announcer said that they would be stopping at Falkirk. As I got off, a nice lady assistant at the station let me break my journey with a big smile to visit the Wheel and told me what bus number to get. Excellent customer service.

[@Grangeburn]

Here is one for you: Glasgow Central - Newcastle each day (except Sunday) at 16.11. It takes 4 minutes short of 4 hours and costs …. I’ll leave that as a surprise!! The strange thing is that I can’t find any return journey by the same route. I was aware of this route before but at that time there were return journeys operating. I am not sure if it is still a ScotRail service either?!?

[@Glenn1967ful]

It reminds me of the slow route from Carlisle to Glasgow via Kilmarnock, which takes over an hour longer than the WCML, and uses a Sprinter as the line is diesel. The main reason for using this route is the fares are the cheapest, but the caveat is the trains have no air conditioning, are noisier and can get full north of Kilmarnock.

[@marygarner5249]

Love your travels have great weekend

[@FoodTravelBlogScot]

Great trip report, 19 stops wow!

[@gftyhify]

I’ve taken this train to Edinburgh twice. The first time was to just do sometime different and the second time was because the day I travelled there was industrial action and the only trains going to Edinburgh were from the lower level platforms

[@thomas-xj1hs]

Excellent. A map showing the actual route would be helpful

[@RettieCom]

Great video

[@Backthenwasgood]

Good info Good video thnx

[@joseleoncio-santoandre-bra432]

Good job man 👍

[@madtrainspottermacrae6744]

I love Glasgow very much

[@JohnTaylor-bf6ll]

Very interesting and useful video - I shall use that route when I have my Spirit of Scotland ticket. I actually did know there's more than one route between the two capitol cities, but I didn't know which one was most interesting. Also thanks for the tip about low level - I could be wasting my time otherwise.

[@user-jt4bv9xt1p]

The clock on the Balmoral Hotel is always fast. You can leave the hotel at 11:00am and still catch the 11:00am train. :-)

[@Mrenergy678]

hi Scott nice video the next time you should video the Subway train and merry Christmas

[@JohnRodgers7390]

The inter-city 7 HSTs also run up to Inverness also from Edinburgh.

[@ScotlandAviation]

im actually from inverness

[@malctennant7412]

Much as I like your videos, I found this one very condescending and dismissive about a line which I use frequently. Okay, it’s not in any way comparable to, for example, the West Highland or suchlike, but the Edinburgh to Helensburgh via Bathgate and Airdrie provides a very valuable service to the areas it passes through, and has been instrumental in much regeneration in West Lothian. I find the service from my local station, Livingston North into Edinburgh to be swift, frequent, punctual and reliable (most times). For those who are unsure, the five ways from Edin-Glasgow are 1. The fast service via Linlithgow, Falkirk High and Lenzie 2. Local service vie Falkirk Grahamston 3 Local service via Bathgate and Airdrie 4 Local service via West Calder, Breich and Shotts 5 Cross-Country service via Carstairs and Motherwell ( which features in a “Driver’s-eye” KZbin video). By the way, the “red bing” behind Broxburn (Greendykes Bing) is the residue from the West Lothian shale oil industry from the late-19th and early 20th centuries. It is part of the origin of BP.

[@gordonmculloch4904]

Traveling the M8 I have often wondered what that red hill was. I’ll look forward to your video on what it is. Cheers 👍

[@kevanhubbard9673]

The night sleeping train from Fort William to London goes through Glasgow low level platform, pick up only as I recall north bound.One of the few trains that doesn't stop at Edinburgh Haymarket.

[@Madjock1965]

I am surprised that you never knew about the low level trains at Queen Street, hope you know about at Glasgow Central. Anyway great video

[@douglasirons1350]

Did you change platforms at Queens St Low Level as the train going to Balloch goes in the opposite direction to the Edinburgh Train

[@a.rentertainment2232]

5:26 for a second I thought that HST power car had a pantograph, turns out it was a tram passing behind it 😂

[@joeallan1969]

I like trains

[@colinbodger321]

Used the train a lot over the years. Glasgow to Shettleston

[@luath5579]

I used Queen Street Low Level more than the mainline station upstairs: trains home to Hyndland and Milngavie left from Low Level on the Airdrie-Milngavie service. The Balmoral Hotel will always be known to Edinburgh folk as 'The NB' whatever new name it may have LOL

[@johnclements8534]

First train in the morning is the 0548 fort william from platform 8 the caledonian sleeper from london euston via watford Junction crewe preston edinburgh

[@TheArkamedBat]

The train is a Class 334 EMU.

[@phillipecook3227]

I took the train from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh which was a pleasant journey - if you weren't late for work like I was

[@NaenaeGaming]

3:27 A little misleading here, while I get what you’re saying about the 334s being over 20 years old, the timing implies that they’re older than the 320 shown in the prior clip, which was built in 1990.

[@ashleyfraser114]

Thank you for the video, is there a 1st class on the train to Edinburgh? also, is there a place to place my luggage ?

[@TPerry2828]

I travel very frequently between Glasgow and Edinburgh at weekends and have used this service during engineering works / strike action on the fast line. Not only does the journey take forever but the trains are seriously noisy/whiny. OK for a short, local trip, but not for a 90-minute intercity journey.

[@Sierraomega1991]

There is a entrance to low level from inside high level at Queen Street that entrance is a secondary one

[@kimjameson7979]

I reckon if a guy were, to quote a Supertramp song, "take the long way home," you're on the right track. ;-))

[@Simplynorva]

I went from haymarket to Aberdeen The train was pretty slow that it stopped at some point I thought the train driver was drunk or either sleepy I went on a intercity train

[@janettesinclair6279]

I guess the folk who live in those small towns are happy to have a train service at all. How often does the "slow train" run?

[@MrAcook61798]

Interesting, but what about Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley, takes 1 hour 32 mins !!

[@borderlands6606]

Classic slow trains were the Thames-Clyde and Thames-Forth (Waverley). In 1962 the latter took 9hrs 15 mins to accomplish what the Flying Scotsman did in 6 hrs. A real endurance test.

[@Theorbe100]

The "Thames-Forth" Express was later known as "The Waverley", indicating that from Carlisle the Waverley Route was used.

[@pokehunter1222]

The Class 320 is older than Class 334

[@matthewedwardgavin3861]

that's a better underground than the subway is.

[@johnledingham852]

I was looking forward to the slower train. Slower meets the needs of some commuters, who like to shake off the rat race blues. Retirees, tourists, local holiday makers and the like. I enjoyed seeing the Hillend Reservoir. Tell me, is that a man made water catchment, or a natural loch? I was expecting to see some historical small stations along the way, and cute little towns, but not to be. Perhaps they've been swallowed up by the greedy monster of progress. Yet, I enjoyed the video Scott.

[@Transpennine]

I believe the Caledonian sleepers use the low level platforms

[@johnclements8534]

Theres the glasgow central to edinburgh via shotts

[@harviemilligan1887]

Interesting video. You say that your slow train isn't listed on the main board in Queen Street station - it is, on the tenth column under the previous train to call at Platform 9 Low Level (to Airdrie). As it's the slower train Scotrail aren't wanting to confuse passengers by listing it alongside the expresses, but do list the low level services to assist those arriving at high level needing onward connections. The train to Balloch that you showed is actually older than the one you traveled on, it dates from around 1990 whereas the one you traveled on dates as you say from around 1999. The Shotts line from Glasgow Central also has slow all-stations trains to Edinburgh. Currently at weekends (June 2021), the low level route offers the only service on a Sunday from Glasgow to Edinburgh due to industrial action by conductors (not used on this line as the drivers operate the doors). Hopefully this dispute will be resolved soon. And prior to Covid, weekday trains on the low level route skipped some stops, so only the Sunday trains stopped at all stations. You're quite right, it's not a glamorous route by any means but for many in North Lanarkshire and West Lothian it's the only way home! Looking forward to your video about the Uluru-like bing.

[@alidavis1538]

Not the only services on a Sunday think about it

[@harviemilligan1887]

@@alidavis1538 Fair point, should have said "only Scotrail services"... I assume CrossCountry are still operating from Central, but only a few (Scotrail are hourly).

[@alidavis1538]

@@harviemilligan1887 yep and 1 LNER from Edinburgh

[@markmcgoldrick2309]

The Sunday strikes are really frustrating. From Coatbridge Sunnyside to Edinburgh the first train is at 1007. From Edinburgh the last train is at 1840. That's it. The trains are extremely busy with no social distancing possible. Many passengers going to Queen Street. Concerned about the forthcoming Edinburgh Festivals with this service.

[@cathrynglee3484]

A stopper via Shotts is slower.

[@ZL54JK8]

Another highly enjoyable and informative video. Thank you. I didn't know there were all these different options of getting by train to Edinburgh. Are they trying to incentivise Glaswegians to go there?

[@afcgeo882]

No. The local town residents need commuter access to both cities.

[@ZL54JK8]

@@afcgeo882 You're right. Glaswegians need no incentive to go to Edinburgh. Or is it the other way round? Neil Munro has the answer in one of his 'Erchie' stories.

[@afcgeo882]

@@ZL54JK8 What are you on about? Did you skip your medication or something?

[@ZL54JK8]

@@afcgeo882 My goodness, what an unpleasant person you seem to be! Both my original comment and its successor were made 'tongue in cheek'. It may be that your knowledge of popular Scots literary heritage is weak and so you are not familiar with the stories of Neil Munro-Para Handy, Jimmy Swan, and Erchie. If that is so, then you won't have grasped the force of my comment. Still, you could have found a more polite way of expressing yourself.

[@afcgeo882]

@@ZL54JK8 So you did skip it?

[@andrewlong6438]

Is it cheaper on this slower service than fast one ?

[@fidgetspinner343]

I'm in Edinburgh and heading out to Glasgow at rush hour (5pm-6pm) is there a specific service that has more carriages and won't be "as" packed?

[@c-jae_trainspotting7525]

21 Stops it is from Central or 20 Stops from Queen street

[@johnclements8534]

Glasgow queenstreet to edinburgh via cumbernauld falkirk grahamston

[@Bugster42]

hi scot love your vids but am surpized you havent done th wacerly line which ought to be a cheap trip

[@billmilligan1705]

Oh no you never mentioned the stop for Stoneybridge alrhough you did mention thr red hills

[@graham2954]

I'm surprised the weegies let you away with calling their subway an underground.

[@lori416]

For the average passenger, what would be the advantage of taking a train like that? Is it cost or is that the only train that makes a stop in some of those towns? (I love your videos by the way.)

[@afcgeo882]

The train line is kept to provide small town residents a commuter connection to both cities. There is no advantage in taking it between the two cities.

[@harviemilligan1887]

There are many suburbs and towns spread out between Glasgow and Edinburgh, each different line serves a different set of these. The main route via Falkirk is fastest for through passengers. Bear in mind if you are connecting from a South side station in Glasgow it may be more convenient to reach Edinburgh from Glasgow Central rather than transferring between Central and Queen Street. Having multiple routes also allows through passengers to use another route when the main line is closed for maintenance (eg recent electrification work), disruption (eg canal washout 2020) or industrial action (2021 conductor strikes, the rite through Airdrie runs without conductors).

[@davidstirling9162]

There's loads of advantage in taking it city to city - e.g. The train goes through many urban and suburban districts (including mine within Glasgow) which saves a trip and train change into Central Glasgow to go to Edinburgh. This line opening was a real boon.

[@maryreid4273]

@@afcgeo882 unless you enjoy travelling by train? I used to sometimes take longer routes just because I enjoyed sitting and looking out of the window. I did it with buses too.

[@afcgeo882]

@@maryreid4273 This train is a commuter train and it takes basically the same route as the faster one. It’s more crowded, less comfortable, and offers no unique views..

[@WannaBeGoalkeeper]

Yeah scotrail need to replace the 334 juniper

[@Scottish_Transport_Explorer]

I mean the class 334s are not really that old or at least not old enough to be replace

[@walkermangum56]

I think this is the train I took to get from Edinburgh to Charing Cross (Glasgow). Probably should've just taken the fast train and walked, whoops!

[@taxidude]

Not the slowest. Glasgow Central to Waverley via Shotts. One hour and 31 minutes. 20 stops.

[@mrsausauge]

It's a shame you have decided to portray it so negatively. It's been an incredible boost for the areas it passes through

[@alidavis1538]

Shotts is slower

[@gringo5583]

Help help Whitetubostar is sending KZbin kids😢😢😢😢

[@ianmac3648]

Another moan fest

[@allanm6246]

Took a long time for passenger trains to return to this route but they got there (Airdrie to Bathgate). The line should never have been closed in the first place.