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Northern unveils new digital train for roll-out at end of year

Northern has unveiled its refurbished Class 158 digital train for passengers, ahead of the new fleet’s complete roll-out by the end of the year.

Some customers travelling between Leeds and Lincoln were treated to the refurbished train, which features digital upgrades such as USB sockets, free wi-fi, new seating and lighting.

More than 100 Northern trains have already undergone the first phase of refurbishment, which includes livery, internal upgrades such as new seats, improved accessibility and refreshed paintwork.

The refurbishment programme will revamp 243 trains in a multimillion-pound bid from Northern to enhance customer journeys with new trains, more services, more seats, better stations, and faster journeys.

Ben Ackroyd, engineering director at Northern, said: “We have promised our customers fully refurbished trains with modern facilities, I am really proud to see this first unit out on the network.

“We are committed to delivering further improvements for our customers in the north of England and this train – which will operate across the region – is tangible proof that our improvements are on track.”

The refurbished trains will join the 98 brand-new trains which began test runs on Northern routes in time for passenger service by the end of the year.

More than 400 Northern stations will also see improvements such as new waiting rooms, improved lighting and CCTV, and new seating by 2020.

Work will continue on refurbishing the rest of the fleet to ensure customers ranging from areas such as Nottingham to Newcastle and Scarborough to Southport can enjoy the upgrades.

Ackroyd added: “I am grateful to our partners across the industry who have worked hard to deliver this first-in-class train for our customers and I look forward to seeing more and more refurbished carriages out and about on the network during the coming weeks and months.”

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Image credit: Northern