First ScotRail

First ScotRail was a train operating company in Scotland owned by FirstGroup which operated the ScotRail franchise from October 2004 until March 2015. Prior to October 2004 trains were run by ScotRail (National Express). It was succeeded by Abellio ScotRail in March 2015.

It operated most commuter and long-distance services within the country as well as some cross-border services to England, including the Caledonian Sleeper. Of FirstGroup's four train operating companies, ScotRail was the second largest (in terms of number of passenger journeys 2013–14) after First Great Western at the time of closure.

History

National Express operated the ScotRail franchise from March 1997 until October 2004 as ScotRail.

In July 2003, the Scottish Executive and the Strategic Rail Authority announced Arriva, FirstGroup and National Express had been shortlisted to bid for the new franchise. In June 2004, the franchise was awarded to FirstGroup, with the services operated by ScotRail transferring to First ScotRail on 17 October 2004.