It is the principal route out of the four rail links between Scotland's two biggest cities, hosting the flagship "ScotRail Express" service between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley.

The route serves the following places (Ordnance Survey grid references for stations): Passenger services are operated by ScotRail.

All trains call at Glasgow Queen Street, Falkirk High, Polmont, Linlithgow, Haymarket and Edinburgh Waverley.

In 1971, the stock provided changed to locomotives fitted for Blue Star multiple working.

In 1980, the push-pull sets were replaced by single Class 47/7s at one end of a rake of Mark 3 carriages and a DBSO operating with TDM system.