£30m newly-refurbished EMR trains unveiled for Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough rail line
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has unveiled the new refurbished trains that will be used by Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough rail commuters following a £30m investment.
Passengers on the 360 services will be able to enjoy new 2+2 seating arrangements featuring a blend of airline-style and bay seats.
The refurbishment will also include better luggage storage space, fold-down tables, plug sockets, and an updated CCTV system.
EMR’s electric 360 21-strong fleet serves EMR Connect and Luton Airport Express routes between Corby and London St Pancras, with stops at Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton, and Luton Airport Parkway.
Simon Pready, commercial director for East Midlands Railway, said: "We’re investing £30m in this fleet of trains to really transform them. They’ve got lighter, brighter interiors, they’ve got bigger more comfortable seats. They’ve got tables and plug sockets so you can really make the best use of your time on the train, and for customers going to the airport, there’s loads of extra luggage space."
The first of the trains will be in service in July, with the roll-out taking place in the following months.
Mr Pready said: “It’s a really exciting moment and we are really proud to be delivering with our partners Siemens and Angel Trains.
"The trains have all been refurbished at Siemens in Northampton, so there’s been lots of investment in local skills and jobs.
“The difference is huge. When you step on the train you’ll notice the difference immediately. The existing trains have a 3+2 seating plan which can be quite cramped, all these new trains are 2+2 seating – all have a seat back table in front of them so you can work or a table in front of them.”
He added: "It is a much better environment.”
Although the capacity of the trains mean fewer passengers can be seated, there is a new automated counting system that monitors those boarding trains. Information gathered on entry the allows the company to ‘optimise’ the number of carriages on a train balancing capacity with demand.
The refurbishment programme of the former Greater Anglia trains was delayed by more than five years due to the Covid pandemic.
David Fursdon, Corby rail user and campaigner welcomed the – albeit late – arrival of the newly-upgraded trains.
He said: “These were promised when EMR took over from East Midlands Trains – there was a whole raft of changes.
"The trains were in need of refurbishment – the exteriors were changed. Covid hit, and here we are six years later. To be fair, passengers haven’t complained too much. More people are travelling from Corby, more than 580,000 journeys a year and we want more people to use the service. This is a big leap forward.”
Cutting the ribbon to launch the new fleet was Sean Gildea, EMR project manager of fleet change, who headed the refurbishment team.
The vehicle layout provides improved disabled access, 2 + 2 seating new carpets, flooring, luggage racks, LED lighting with diffusers, 230v power sockets and USB charging sockets.
All units are fitted with a new WiFi system with ethernet backbone, as well as CCTV and a forward facing CCTV system with remote download capability.
Customers will also benefit from new passenger information systems with ceiling displays for easy access and four new display screens per vehicle.
The on-board loo has been revamped providing a large accessible, universal toilet.