East Midlands Railway (EMR) has completed the refurbishment of 25 trains as part of its £60 million investment to transform its Regional and EMR Connect fleets.
The milestone includes 10 refurbished Class 158 trains, 12 Class 170 trains and three Class 360 trains, with further units continuing to move through the refurbishment programme.
The completion of the first three Class 360s marks an important step for EMR Connect, with the newly refurbished electric trains introducing a modernised onboard environment for customers travelling between Corby and London St Pancras International, as well as on Luton Airport Express services.
The refurbished Class 360s feature a completely redesigned interior, including new 2+2 seating throughout, combining airline-style seating with table bays to create a more spacious and comfortable environment.
Customers also benefit from upgraded luggage facilities, power and USB charging points, improved passenger information systems, refreshed interiors and enhanced accessibility features.
EMR Connect operates twice-hourly electric services between Corby and London St Pancras International, calling at Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway.
The service was introduced in 2021 as EMR’s first all-electric route and has delivered a 77 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared with the previous diesel operation.
The refurbished Class 170 trains form part of a £23 million overhaul of EMR’s 44-strong Class 170 fleet. The transformation includes redesigned interiors featuring new and refurbished seats and tables, modern power and charging facilities, including plug sockets and USB points, refurbished toilets, upgraded flooring and newly installed passenger information systems providing clearer, more accurate journey updates.
Dedicated bike storage areas and refreshed interiors aligned with EMR’s wider fleet design are also helping to create greater consistency across the network.
The Class 158 fleet is also receiving a comprehensive £5 million refresh, designed to extend the lifespan of the trains while improving the onboard environment. Upgrades include new seat foams and covers, new tabletops, carpets and vestibule flooring, enhanced CCTV and passenger information systems, refreshed branding and repainting.
Together, the Class 158 and Class 170 programmes are delivering tangible improvements for customers, including greater comfort, improved accessibility, better information and more practical facilities for everyday journeys.
Simon Pready, Commercial Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “Reaching 25 completed trains is an important milestone for our Regional and Connect refurbishment programme and represents a significant amount of work delivered for our customers.
“These upgrades are about much more than refreshed interiors. They are about making journeys more comfortable, practical and accessible, while improving information and supporting the long-term reliability of our fleet.
“There is still more to come, with further trains currently being refurbished. We are proud of the progress made so far and look forward to continuing to deliver improvements for our customers across the network.”
