East Midlands Railway trains to receive comprehensive refurbishment
Trains running from St Pancras to Luton Airport and regional trains operated by East Midlands Railway are set to see a multi-million revamp.
A total of £27.6 million is to be spent on “EMR Connect” services from the capital to destinations such as Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton, and Luton Airport Parkway.
Meanwhile the regional fleet consisting of diesel trains up to 30 years old will see £28.2 million spent on Class 158 and Class 170 trains. The latter type has seen stock cascade from various train operators nationwide including Southern to EMR.
Some journeys using the 158s and 170s are around five hours in length and can often be extremely crowded.
Not in the photo below admittedly, which shows the current interior.
Having used the regional trains a couple of times for long journeys the biggest issue for a lack of plug sockets.
Electrification
Electrification of the Midland Mainline allowed electric stock to begin running from St Pancras to Corby using Class 360 trains formerly with Greater Anglia.
EMR have released a number of renders showing the future appearance of this stock.
I remember using their sister trains when they’d run in west London which had the slowest door opening you’ve ever seen.
Still, decent enough trains.
Further images have been released of the Regional fleet.
When it comes to the Class 158 this should eek a bit more life out of them though they’re now up to 35 years old.
Ideally a rolling program of electrification would see bi-modes replace them particularly for those Norwich to Liverpool journeys at five hours plus in length.
In future electrification will continue heading north (work is now underway) on the Midland Mainline from St Pancras to Leicester and Sheffield bringing new Class 810 bi-mode stock.
