A TOUCH OF CLASS (170)

£23M IMPROVEMENTS WILL MODERNISE EAST MIDLANDS RAILWAY FLEET

- By ZENA HAWLEY

TRAINS that have travelled millions of miles since they were first manufactured by Adtranz and then Bombardier, at Derby's Litchurch Lane rail works, from around 1999, are being given a new lease of life that will make journeys more comfortable for passengers.

The first of the 44 Class 170 trains operated by East Midlands Railway (EMR) has been fully refurbished and undergone significant transformation including new seating, carpets, USB and power sockets, improved toilet facilities, especially for wheelchair users, along with special areas for priority seating and cycle storage.

All trains will also be fitted with CCTV throughout.

The refurbishment marks the start of a transformative year for the company. The revamped train is the first in a £23 million programme to modernise EMR's Class 170 regional fleet and the redesigned interiors echo the look of EMR's new Aurora trains, which are set to enter service later this year.