A major UK railway operator has revealed the inside of its revamped train interiors. A number of cities will be served by the rejuvinated East Midlands Railway (EMR) stock as part of a £60million plan. Officials say the Class 170 carriages represents as “significant upgrade in comfort and convenience”. Customers will be able to enjoy new seats and tables, modern power and charging facilities, including 230V, Type-C and dual USB sockets; refurbished toilets, upgraded flooring, and a newly installed passenger information system.
There is also a dedicated bike storage area, with redesigned interiors overall echoing the “sleek aesthetic” of EMR’s new Aurora trains, which are set to enter service later this year. The refurbished stock is owned by rolling stock financier and asset management company Porterbrook and were previously operated by West Midlands Railway. The train pictured is the first of the 44-strong Class 170 fleet to be refurbished.
The next one is scheduled to enter service next month.
Afterwards, a newly refurbished unit is expected to join the fleet each month, bosses say.
Where will the new trains serve?
EMR’s Class 170 fleet operates regional services across:
- East Midlands and South Yorkshire, including: 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
- Also requently used on the Liverpool to Norwich route
Officials have emphasised that the upgrade of the Class 170 fleet is part of a wider £60million programme, which will also include the refurbishment of EMR’s Class 360 and Class 158 trains.
“This refurbishment is more than just a lick of paint – it’s a complete transformation that puts our customers first,” Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said.
“We’ve focused on creating an environment that is comfortable and functional – and it’s just the beginning. Over the next year, customers will start to see real, tangible improvements across our network.”
Ben Ackroyd, Porterbrook COO, said: “Our investment in this Class 170 fleet ensures continued comfort, reliability, and performance to meet passengers’ evolving needs for years to come.
“It’s fantastic to welcome the first refurbished train back onto the network, and we’d like to thank our partners at EMR, Arriva Train Care, and all companies who have supported this significant milestone.”
