Why are there not enough train drivers in Scotland?

Another dimension to the training challenge is the fact that ScotRail’s drivers learn their trade on a specific route.

This means Amina, who is based out of the Edinburgh depot, is learning routes primarily on the east of the country and could not, for example, be switched to driving trains on the west coast without further training.

ScotRail instructor Colin Morison explained: “Driving a train is not like driving a car.

“We sometimes can take a mile to stop when we’re going full speed at a station so we have to know each route inside and out; every turn, every bend, every signal, every set of points, every station.

“We have to know everything about the route before we get qualified on it.”