East Midlands Railway (EMR) has completed the refurbishment of 25 trains as part of its £60 million investment programme aimed at modernising its Regional and EMR Connect fleets, delivering significant improvements in passenger comfort, accessibility and onboard technology.
The milestone covers 10 Class 158 trains, 12 Class 170 units and the first three Class 360 electric trains, with additional vehicles continuing to progress through the upgrade programme.
The completion of the first refurbished Class 360s represents a significant step forward for EMR Connect services. Operating on routes between Corby and London St Pancras International, as well as the Luton Airport Express, the upgraded trains introduce a transformed customer environment designed to meet modern passenger expectations.
Passengers travelling on the refurbished Class 360 fleet will benefit from a completely redesigned interior featuring new 2+2 seating throughout, combining airline-style seats with table bays to create a more spacious and comfortable journey experience. Additional enhancements include improved luggage storage, power sockets and USB charging points, upgraded passenger information systems, refreshed interiors and enhanced accessibility features.
EMR Connect currently operates twice-hourly electric services between Corby and London St Pancras International, serving Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway. Since its launch in 2021, the route has become EMR's first fully electric operation, delivering a 77% reduction in carbon emissions compared with the previous diesel service.
Meanwhile, EMR's Class 170 fleet is undergoing a £23 million refurbishment programme covering all 44 trains. The upgrades include redesigned interiors, refurbished seating and tables, modern charging facilities with power sockets and USB ports, refurbished toilets, new flooring and advanced passenger information systems providing more accurate real-time journey updates.
The Class 170 programme also includes dedicated cycle storage areas and refreshed interior branding, helping to create a more consistent customer experience across the EMR network.
EMR's Class 158 fleet is receiving a £5 million refresh designed to extend the life of the trains while improving passenger comfort. The work includes new seat foams and coverings, replacement tabletops, new carpets and vestibule flooring, upgraded CCTV systems, enhanced passenger information displays and refreshed external branding.
Collectively, the Class 158 and Class 170 refurbishment programmes are delivering tangible benefits for customers through improved comfort, better accessibility, enhanced onboard information and more practical facilities for everyday rail travel.
Commenting on the achievement, 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.”
The refurbishment programme forms a key part of EMR's wider strategy to enhance the passenger experience, improve fleet reliability and support more sustainable rail travel across the East Midlands and beyond.
Image and video credits: East Midlands Railway
