"I got a little shock because it's very fancy" - Customers praise new refurbished train
- Customers heap praise on first refurbished train in £23 million programme to modernise the Class 170 fleet
- Refurbishment will improve customer experience with brand-new seats and tables and modern charging facilities
- Other improvements include refurbished toilets, upgraded flooring, and a newly installed passenger information system
Customers are full of praise for East Midlands Railway’s (EMR) first revamped Class 170 train – the opening step in a £23 million transformation of the fleet.
The revamped train includes brand-new seats and tables, modern power and charging facilities (including 230V, Type-C and dual USB sockets), refurbished toilets, upgraded flooring, and a newly installed passenger information system.
It also includes a dedicated bike storage area and redesigned interiors that echo the sleek aesthetic of EMR’s new Aurora trains.
The upgrade of the Class 170 fleet is part of a wider £60 million programme, which will also include the refurbishment of EMR’s Class 360 and Class 158 trains.
Customers on the Derwent Valley Line from Nottingham to Derby shared their thoughts on the newly refurbished train - and it’s fair to say they were impressed.
Kieran, who was travelling from Derby to Matlock, said: “I'm loving these new trains. They are lush. The seats are fantastic and the tables are amazing.”
Simon, who was travelling from Nottingham to Matlock, said: “I love this train - nice colours, information screens that work, and it’s just better to have a decent seat to sit on.”
Nina, who was travelling from Matlock to Derby, said: “I got a little bit of a shock when we came on because it’s very, very fancy - with lots of places, power points, and sockets on the table - which was unexpected. So yeah, I really love it.”
Josh, travelling from Matlock to Nottingham, said: “I was actually happily surprised when I got on. I could charge my phone for once because the plug sockets are on these two-seaters. So it’s brilliant. It’s just a lovely train now, isn’t it?”
Sue, also travelling from Matlock to Nottingham, said: “It is smart and comfortable. They’ve got new seats, it’s got new plugs and everything - which is fantastic for a lot of people who are travelling all over.”
EMR’s Class 170 fleet operates regional services across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, including: Matlock to Derby and Nottingham; Nottingham to Worksop via Mansfield; Newark Castle to Crewe via Nottingham, Derby and Stoke-on-Trent; Peterborough to Doncaster via Lincoln; Nottingham to Skegness via Grantham; Cleethorpes to Leicester via Lincoln and Nottingham; and Cleethorpes to Barton-on-Humber. It is also frequently used on the Liverpool to Norwich route.
Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at East Midlands Railway, said: "The arrival of our first refurbished train into service is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for EMR – one that puts customer comfort and experience front and centre.
"It’s brilliant to hear such enthusiastic feedback from our customers. We’ve worked hard to deliver a modern, welcoming environment on board – from upgraded seating to power sockets and improved information screens – and it’s clear those changes are being noticed and appreciated.
"And this is only the start. More refurbished trains will be joining the fleet throughout the year - transforming journeys across the region and setting a new standard for rail travel with EMR."