First train from rail operator’s £400m Intercity fleet enters into service

The first train in East Midlands Railway’s new Intercity fleet has entered into service.

Transport UK and EMR said that the first state-of-the-art Aurora train from its new £400 million fleet started carrying passengers last week.

The new trains, which travel on the Midland Main Line and serve Derby, provide more seats, have modern, spacious interiors and enhanced accessibility features

The maiden Aurora service departed Sheffield at 7am, bound for London, and stopped at Derby.

Will Rogers, managing director at EMR, said: “It was truly a landmark moment for rail travel across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

“At 7am, the very first train in Transport UK and EMR’s brand-new £400 million Aurora fleet departed Sheffield for London St Pancras – marking the start of a new era for Intercity travel on our network.

“With more seats, legroom and luggage space, as well as enhanced Wi-Fi, passenger information and the ability to run on electric, these new trains will transform the service we can provide.”

The 33 bi-mode trains will take advantage of the £1.5 billion Midland Main Line upgrade, with the ability to run on electric overhead lines – dramatically cutting carbon emissions by 66%, meaning quieter and greener journeys too.

The Aurora fleet will provide customers 24% more seats and over 19% more legroom in a typical five carriage formation, compared to the Meridian trains it is replacing.

Once the full fleet of 33 trains is in service, it will deliver a substantial 46% increase in the total number of seats available for customers travelling on the Midland Main Line.

Transport UK’s EMR business went to great lengths to source and adapt a brand-new seat for the new trains.

Working closely with Derby-based design firm DG DESIGN, it has taken the proven product of a FISA Lean seat and refined it to offer enhanced comfort and support for customers.

At the same time, it has ensured the seats include practical and technological features including power and USB points, generous legroom, coat hooks, well-sized seat-back tables for all seats and space to stow a cabin-bag under each seat.

The new Aurora fleet includes an enhanced Wi-Fi system that uses multiple sim cards to select the best possible signal for customers.

Furthermore, thanks to the use of glass engineered to allow mobile signals to pass through more effectively, customers will benefit from improved connectivity.

A video has been produced documenting the story of the Aurora fleet. View it below or click here.