East Midlands Railway (EMR) has initiated a £60 million initiative to renovate its Class 360, Class 158, and Class 170 trains fleet.
This endeavor, undertaken in collaboration with Angel Trains, Siemens, Porterbrook, and Eversholt, harnesses substantial private sector funding.
With the launch of the new Aurora Intercity trains, this signifies that all of EMR’s trains will undergo either replacement with new ones or refurbishment. EMR’s electric Class 360 fleet is responsible for operating EMR Connect and Luton Airport Express services, running between Corby and London St Pancras, with stops at Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton, and Luton Airport Parkway.
EMR executives have announced plans to enhance the trains, aiming to offer improved amenities for commuters, leisure travelers, and airport passengers. These upgrades will include new 2+2 seating arrangements featuring a combination of airline-style seats and bay seats, along with added luggage racks, charging points, and updated passenger information systems.
The Class 170 fleet of EMR operates numerous regional routes across the East Midlands, facilitating travel between destinations like Matlock to Derby and Nottingham, Nottingham to Worksop via Mansfield, Newark Castle to Crewe via Nottingham, Derby, and Stoke-On-Trent, Peterborough to Doncaster via Lincoln, Nottingham to Skegness via Grantham, Cleethorpes to Leicester via Lincoln and Nottingham, and Cleethorpes to Barton on Humber. Acquired from various providers, these trains are scheduled for upgrades to ensure a consistent and improved passenger experience across the entire fleet.
The planned improvements include the installation of new seat foams and covers, a comprehensive interior overhaul, and the introduction of modern passenger information systems and CCTV.
Concurrently, EMR’s Class 158 fleet predominantly operates on the Liverpool to Norwich route via Nottingham, Manchester, and Sheffield.
