Sit back and relax: Customers invited to try new Intercity train seats

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is inviting customers to try out the bespoke seats that will be used on its new state-of-the-art Aurora Intercity fleet.

From today, customers will be able to experience the comfort of the unique seats at special displays at Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield station. 

They will also be able to find out how EMR has been working hard to make sure the interiors of the trains include all the features customers expect from a modern railway service - including more connectivity, luggage space and passenger information. 

Interested customers can simply turn up to the station, no booking is required. Standard seats will be available at Derby on the footbridge and in Nottingham station's booking hall, while First Class seats will be available to try at Sheffield station's main concourse. 

Working closely with Derby-based design firm DGDESIGN, EMR has taken the proven product of a 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 increasing the size of cushions, headrests and armrests and making sure that high quality durable materials are used throughout, such as a wool-rich moquette and leather.

At the same time, EMR has also ensured the seats include 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 passengers have said they want to see, including air conditioning, free WiFi throughout, plug sockets and better passenger information screens.

Lisa Angus, Transition and Projects Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We are excited to showcase the new Aurora seats to customers and to allow them to experience first-hand how comfortable they are.  

"It has taken a lot of work, but we are delighted with the seats, not only are they comfortable to sit in and look refined, but they are also easy to keep clean and include all the features passengers should expect from a new generation of trains. 

"If you are passing through the station or in the area, feel free to pop in and see for yourself."