Rail passengers in the Highlands have been reassured that the region would not lose modern carriages to a new railway in the Borders.
A spokeswoman for Abellio ScotRail said all but one of Class 158 trains would continue serving the north.
The company was forced to speak out after Highland Labour MSP Rhoda Grant claimed there was “clear concern” among passengers about the potential redeployment of new carriages to the new Edinburgh to Tweedbank service, which is starting in September.
A spokeswoman for Abellio ScotRail said: “The Inverness-based fleet of Class 158 trains will continue to deliver the Inverness timetable both in the lead up to, and after the opening of the new Borders Railway.
“One 158 which was previously based in Inverness is currently being refurbished in Glasgow and, when completed, will operate on the Borders line.
“We wish to make it absolutely clear that this single change will have no effect whatsoever on Inverness services currently operated by existing 158s.”
Ms Grant said she was pleased that the north would continue to be served by modern trains.
“This is a success story for the Highlands in terms of securing and improving our rail infrastructure,” she added.
“Many people have had their confidence in ScotRail rocked through being repeatedly let down and their was a real fear the Highlands could lose out again on rolling stock.
“The region got the raw end of the deal in the rail franchise agreement between the SNP Scottish Government and Abellio.
“The news that the Highland rolling stock will be retained, and is due to be upgraded and refurbished in the near future, will be a major relief for the many rail users, campaigners who had contacted me over the past week.”
