A train service connecting a city and a seaside town is so cold that passengers have taken to calling it the “Polar Express”. Those travelling between Oban and Glasgow say the carriages are so cold they have to wear extra layers just for the train.
There is a campaign for better facilities, with locals comparing the service to the train bound for the North Pole in the Tom Hanks film The Polar Express.
Scotrail has said it is looking into options to provide a better service, saying trains on the route are warmed by excess heat from the engine. But that in particularly cold spells they can take time to heat up.
Ann McLaughlan, from Taynuilt, was on the train on January 18, what she called a “dangerously cold” journey when it was -10C outside.
While onboard, she took a photo of her husband, who is wearing lots of layers and bent over to try and stay warm. Another passenger can be seen in the photo, also wearing a thick coat and winter hat.
She said: “It never warmed up the whole way, it was absolutely freezing. Terry is a Shetland islander, he’s worked in the North Sea, he’s used to the cold but he was absolutely frozen.
“Imagine instead of him that was a man or woman with a young child, or a frail elderly person.
“When we complained, ScotRail said they were sorry it hadn’t been an enjoyable experience but this wasn’t a quality issue, it’s a health and safety issue.”
Neil McInroy from Oban, said: “I’ve been on that train if I’ve been going away for the weekend, and I’ve had to put on all the contents of my bag, hats, jackets, jumpers, the lot.
“It’s a three-hour journey, you’re often on it for longer due to delays and if it’s a cold carriage, that horrible. It’s pretty baltic.”
Mr McInroy makes the journey three or four times a month but worries about the tourists who use the service.
“I got talking to a couple in their 70s and they were freezing, and on that particular journey there was no food trolley so they couldn’t even get a warm cup of tea,” he said. “It wouldn’t be a nice start to their holiday. Oban is a gateway to the Highlands and the islands, it’s a really poor advert for Scotland.”
Neil felt locals were resigned to the fact the service was poor and have started calling it the “Polar Express”.
David Lister, Scotrails’s safety, engineering and sustainability director said they were looking into longer-term solutions for the heating problem.
He said: “We know that the Scottish winter can make heating the first train of the day before departure very challenging. Our staff are working tirelessly to ensure our trains are operating as reliably as possible.
“We continue to look into longer-term solutions and funding options which could improve onboard temperatures for our passengers.”
