A major upgrade to Intercity travel in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire begins this December, as East Midlands Railway (EMR) and its parent company Transport UK prepare to introduce the first train from the £400 million Aurora fleet. The new units, built by Hitachi Rail, will enter service on the Midland Main Line and mark the first phase of a full fleet rollout.

The Aurora trains have been designed to overhaul the passenger experience, offering modern interiors, clearer information screens, improved air conditioning and free high-performance Wi-Fi. Every seat will feature a plug socket, and layouts have been designed to maximise space and comfort for long-distance travellers.

With 33 bi-mode trains joining EMR, the fleet will make full use of the £1.5 billion Midland Main Line electrification project. The new units will run using overhead electric power where available, cutting emissions by 66% and enabling quieter, cleaner journeys.

Capacity and comfort are central to the new fleet. In a standard five-car formation, each train will offer 24% more seats and more than 19% additional legroom than the outgoing Meridians. Once all 33 trains are in operation, EMR says it will boost total seating capacity on the route by nearly half.

Design improvements have been planned in collaboration with Derby-based DG DESIGN, adapting the proven FISA Lean seat to offer more support while incorporating practical features such as coat hooks, seat-back tables and space for cabin bags beneath seats. Each seat will also have USB and power outlets as standard.

Connectivity has been enhanced with a new Wi-Fi system that uses multiple SIM cards to optimise signal strength. Specially designed glass also aims to improve mobile phone reception throughout the train.

Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “The introduction of our first Aurora train this December marks the start of a new era for Intercity travel across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. Our Auroras have been designed with our customers at their heart; with more seats, greater comfort, better connectivity and a smoother, quieter ride. We and our colleagues at Transport UK are delighted to be delivering a railway that our customers, communities and our employees can truly take pride in.”

Image: East Midlands Railway