EMR's new intercity fleet: First reveal of Aurora's interiors
- EMR unveil first glimpse of new Aurora interiors
- Video explores features customers will enjoy when fleet enters into service
- Designers, suppliers and EMR staff provide insight into the process of creating comfortable and practical interiors
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has released a video revealing the interiors of its new Aurora fleet, highlighting all the benefits it will provide customers as they travel to and from the capital down the Midland Mainline.
The video provides customers with an insight into how the carriages will look and showcases all the features EMR has worked so hard to refine.
EMR's new Intercity fleet of 33 five-carriage trains, capable of running on electricity and diesel, is being built by Hitachi Rail in County Durham and financed by Rock Rail East Midlands. They are due to be in operation in early 2025, with the full fleet of trains in service during the year.
The latest video about the Aurora project includes clips from the designers of the interiors, suppliers, and the team at EMR who are in charge of bringing the new state-of-the-art trains into service.
A key part of the film shows the work that has taken place to ensure the seats in the trains are as comfortable as possible.
The seats have been designed in close collaboration with Derby-based design firm DGDESIGN. EMR has taken the proven product of the FISA Lean seat and refined it to offer enhanced comfort and support. It has also improved the appearance to match what they believe customers expect from an Intercity service seat.
The seat rework has included enlarging the size of cushions, headrests, and armrests and ensuring that high-quality durable materials are used throughout, such as wool-rich moquette and leather.
The video also explores the incorporation of all the practical and technological features that customers require, such as power and USB points, generous legroom, coat hooks, well-sized seat-back tables for all airline seats, and space to stow a cabin bag under each seat.
The trains will also include features that customers have said they want to see, including air conditioning, free WiFi throughout, better mobile phone signal access, more luggage space, plug sockets, and better passenger information screens.
Rachel Turner, Head of New Trains at East Midlands Railway, said: "We are really excited for the introduction of the Aurora fleet and hope our customers enjoy watching this film. It offers a great insight into all the work that is taking place to make sure the trains offer customers the features and comfort they expect from a modern train.
"Working with Hitachi, we have made every effort possible to make sure the features that customers value are included and that the environment of the carriages is as comfortable, spacious, and practical as possible."
