Monday 3 November will see the very first of East Midlands Trains fleet of Class 158 trains enter passenger service. The train is the first of the company’s 25 158 trains to undergo an extensive programme of refurbishmen by East Midlands-based company DeltaRail.
Photographs below show Anna Matthews, CEO For DeltaRail, and Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, with the refurbished train.
The Class 158 train is used in operation on East Midlands Trains' busy Liverpool – Norwich (via Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham) line and the refurbishment programme will provide a much-needed boost to comfort for passengers on this route.
Work carried out includes :
· Repainting of the train in the East Midlands Trains livery
· Internal refurbishment, which includes new seats, bringing much-needed improvements to this area of the train. In addition, a new toilet module will be included as part of the refurbishment programme
· Modification to various systems on the train to bring improved reliability
· Improved air conditioning units fitted to the majority of these trains to improve the reliability and efficiency
· Introduction of CCTV
· Installation of a passenger counting device – an innovative piece of technology that allows passenger loads to be monitored automatically, a first for East Midlands Trains.
Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, says, "We’re all very excited at East Midlands Trains to actually receive the first fully refurbished train into passenger service. During our franchise we are refurbishing our entire fleet but this is the first train to be completed and so it is a very special day for us. I have seen the completed train and I know our passengers will be pleased too. This makeover will transform the travelling environment for our passengers.”
Anna Matthews, CEO For DeltaRail, said, “We are delighted that members of the press will be able to visit our facility in Derby to see the first of these refurbished trains handed over to East Midlands Trains.”
This refurbishment is part of the £90m of investment during the life of the East Midlands Trains franchise, making improvements in areas that impact directly on performance, reliability and customer service such as:
· Upgrade to Derby train maintenance depot
· Investment in stations; additional customer help points, refurbished waiting areas, improved lighting and facilities
· New timetable in December 2008 offering faster journey times and increased capacity
· The opening of two brand new stations - East Midlands Parkway and Corby
· Improved journey times on the route to London.
