ScotRail has revealed the first of 40 new-look trains which will be rolled out across Scotland over the next three years.

The trains will feature better seats, improved toilets and power sockets to allow travellers to charge their phone or tablet.

One train will to come into service each month between now and April 2018 as part of a £14m modernisation scheme.

The trains will be refurbished at Knorr-Bremse RailServices in Glasgow and 14 new staff have been recruited for the project.

The first carriage will leave the depot on Wednesday and be ready for the opening of the new Borders Railway.

Transport minister Derek Mackay said: “We are investing record amounts in Scotland’s railways and, with passenger numbers increasing by more than six million last year, these refurbished trains will further improve the travel experience.

“I am also particularly pleased that, in the process, Scottish jobs are being supported with these improvement works delivered by workers at Knorr-Bremse.”

The revamped trains will be used on routes across Scotland, including:

Inverness - Aberdeen/Kyle/Wick

Glasgow Queen Street - Stirling/Dunblane/Alloa

Glasgow Queen Street - Falkirk Grahamston

Glasgow Queen Street - Anniesland via Maryhill

Edinburgh - Dunblane/Perth/Glasgow Central via Shotts

Edinburgh Waverley/Glasgow Queen Street - Perth/Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness

Phil Verster, ScotRail alliance managing director, said: “Completing the first refurbishment is a big moment for this exciting project, which I believe will make a real difference for passengers using Scotland’s railways.

“We’ve listened to customers, and that feedback is reflected in the upgrades being made. Seats are better aligned alongside windows, interiors are brighter and more modern, and people can charge phones and laptops during their journeys.”

Source: NewsSTV