EMR celebrates milestone as 10 refurbished regional trains enter service
- EMR has introduced 10 refurbished trains across its regional network
- Milestone includes seven Class 170 trains and three Class 158 trains
- Customers will benefit from a range of improvements including better interiors, toilets and power points
East Midlands Railway (EMR), which is operated by Transport UK, has reached a significant milestone in its regional fleet transformation programme, with ten fully refurbished trains now completed and back in service across its network.
The milestone includes seven Class 170 trains and three Class 158 trains, marking strong progress in EMR’s £60 million investment to modernise its regional and connect fleet.
The programme forms part of a longer-term commitment by EMR and Transport UK to deliver sustainable, practical improvements for customers - ensuring reliable rail services today while continuing to enhance the passenger experience over time. With many more trains currently undergoing refurbishment, the programme continues to gather pace.
The refurbished Class 170 trains are part of a £23 million overhaul of EMR’s 44-strong fleet. The transformation includes completely redesigned interiors featuring brand-new and refurbished seats and tables, modern power and charging facilities including plug sockets and USB points, refurbished toilets, upgraded flooring, and a newly installed passenger information system providing clearer, more accurate journey updates.
Dedicated bike storage areas and refreshed interiors aligned to EMR’s wider fleet design further strengthen consistency across the network. Together, these improvements are helping to deliver tangible customer benefits - from improved comfort and accessibility to greater reliability and clearer journey information.
At the same time, EMR’s Class 158 trains are receiving a comprehensive £5 million refresh designed to extend their lifespan and enhance the onboard environment. Upgrades include new seat foams and covers, new tabletops, carpets and vestibule flooring, enhanced CCTV and passenger information systems, as well as refreshed branding and repainting.
As with the Class 170s, these improvements are focused on practical outcomes that make a meaningful difference to customers’ day-to-day journeys.
The refurbished trains are already operating on key regional routes across the East Midlands and beyond, including services linking Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, Lincoln, Cleethorpes and Liverpool, supporting a more comfortable and dependable experience for thousands of customers every day.
Meanwhile, the Class 360 fleet, which operates the EMR Connect service, is also undergoing refurbishment, with the first unit expected to enter service later this year - another step in the steady delivery of improvements across the fleet.
Simon Pready, Commercial Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “This is an important milestone for our regional and connect refurbishment programme.
“Seeing ten refurbished trains now back in service reflects the disciplined, delivery-focused approach Transport UK is taking to modernising our fleet.
"These upgrades are not just about new interiors - they are about delivering better outcomes for our customers, with more comfortable, accessible and reliable journeys. With many more trains currently being upgraded, customers will continue to see further improvements across our network in the months ahead.”