Air conditioning, increased capacity, power sockets and improved reliability are on the way for rail passengers across Manchester and the wider North West as Northern prepares to introduce a fleet of 37 refurbished Class 350 trains from early 2028.
The fleet will replace Northern's ageing Class 323 trains, which are approaching the end of their operational life, and forms part of a £25 million investment programme designed to improve passenger comfort, capacity and reliability.
The refurbished trains will bring several long-awaited enhancements for customers, including air conditioning, additional carriages, luggage racks and at-seat power sockets on many North West routes for the first time.
The Class 350s will also be equipped with Variable Rate Sander (VRS) technology, an innovation that can reduce stopping distances by up to 50 per cent during periods of low rail adhesion caused by autumn leaf fall and winter weather conditions. The technology is expected to improve operational performance and service reliability across the network.
Passenger Comfort and Capacity Improvements
Passengers travelling across Greater Manchester and neighbouring regions are set to benefit from a significantly improved onboard environment compared with the trains they replace.
The addition of air conditioning and enhanced passenger facilities reflects Northern's wider fleet modernisation strategy ahead of the arrival of an entirely new generation of trains expected from around 2030.
Tricia Williams, Managing Director at Northern, said:
"The introduction of these trains is fantastic news for our customers across the North West."
"These trains are much newer than the trains they are replacing, which are now reaching the end of their working lives. They will make a real difference to our customers, with air conditioning, more carriages, more space and a more pleasant environment throughout. They'll also be more reliable, and built entirely around what our customers have been asking us for."
Supporting the Future of Britain's Railways
The announcement follows the Government's wider investment plans for rail services across the North.
Lord Peter Hendy, Rail Minister, said:
“Passengers across Manchester and the North West deserve a railway that is reliable, comfortable and fit for the future. These refurbished trains will deliver immediate improvements, with more space, air conditioning and greater reliability.
“Coming shortly after our £1 billion investment in a new fleet of British-built trains for the North, this is another step in our transformation of the railways. Through setting up Great British Railways, bringing track and train together to deliver the services that passengers and customers expect, helping to support growth across the North and delivering a rail network that people can be proud of."
Porterbrook Invests £25 Million
Rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook is funding the £25 million refurbishment programme, helping to ensure the fleet remains fit for purpose for years to come.
Mary Grant, CEO at Porterbrook, said:
“This excellent train fleet will reliably serve Northern’s passengers for many years to come. The Class 350s are consistently amongst the top performing trains on the network, and our £25m investment ensures they’ll be equipped with all the modern features needed for a comfortable and dependable journey.”
Siemens Mobility to Upgrade and Maintain Fleet
The refurbishment work will be carried out at Siemens Mobility's train modification centre in Northampton before the trains enter passenger service. Ongoing maintenance will then be undertaken from Siemens' Ardwick depot in Manchester.
Aglaja Schneider, Joint CEO and Managing Director, Rolling Stock and Customer Services at Siemens Mobility UK&I, said:
"It is great to see the refurbished 350/2 fleet moving over to Northern, which will deliver real benefits for passengers travelling across Manchester and the wider North-West. Once the interior and exterior upgrade is completed at our train modification centre in Northampton, we will be maintaining these trains out of our Ardwick depot, ensuring the trains are ready for passenger journeys across the North.
"By introducing upgraded rolling stock with improved comfort, increased capacity and enhanced reliability, alongside innovative technologies that help improve operational performance, we are helping to create a better travel experience for customers today while supporting the future growth of Britain's railway.
"This investment demonstrates the value of collaboration across the rail industry and our shared commitment to building a modern, passenger-focused railway that serves communities, supports economic growth and encourages more people to choose rail."
Bridging the Gap Until Northern's New Fleet Arrives
The Class 350 introduction sits alongside Northern's longer-term fleet replacement programme, which is expected to see up to 450 brand-new trains enter service from around 2030.
Until then, the refurbished Class 350 fleet will play a key role in improving reliability, boosting capacity and enhancing the customer experience across one of Britain's busiest regional rail networks.
Image credit: Northern
