The East Midlands and South Yorkshire moved into a new era of rail travel this morning as the first of East Midlands Railway’s (EMR) long-awaited Aurora trains carried paying passengers for the very first time. The milestone saw the 7am departure leave Sheffield for London St Pancras, signalling the start of EMR’s £400 million fleet entering public service.

The new trains – built by Hitachi Rail and forming part of a 33-strong bi-mode fleet – are designed to make full use of major upgrades to the Midland Main Line. Capable of operating under electric overhead wires, they promise cuts in carbon emissions of around 66 per cent compared with current diesel operations, reducing noise and delivering a greener intercity offering for the region.

Once the entire fleet is rolled out, EMR says customers will notice a significant increase in capacity. The Aurora trains are expected to boost available seating by 46 per cent across the route, with each five-car formation offering 24 per cent more seats and over 19 per cent additional legroom compared with the Meridian sets they replace.

Comfort has been central to development of the new interiors. EMR worked with Derby-based DG DESIGN to tailor a version of the FISA Lean seat, adapting it for greater support and longer-distance use. Onboard, passengers will find power and USB connections at every seat, larger tables, coat hooks and room to store a cabin bag underneath.

Connectivity has also been prioritised. Improved Wi-Fi, supported by multiple SIM technology to search for the strongest signal, is paired with specially engineered glass that better allows mobile signals to pass into the carriage, helping reduce the notorious mid-journey signal drop-out experienced on some routes.

Marking the occasion, Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said:

"Today is 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."

Image: East Midlands Railway