Tuesday 15th April marked the launch of the first refurbished Class 170 back in service with East Midlands Railway.

The refurbished Class 170 trains are owned by Porterbrook and were previously operated by West Midlands Railway.

The revamped train is the first in a programme to modernise EMR’s Class 170 regional fleet enhancing the passenger experience with brand-new seats and tables, modern power and charging facilities (including 230V, Type-C and dual USB sockets), refurbished toilets, upgraded flooring, and a newly installed passenger information system.

This comprehensive overhaul ensures a more comfortable, reliable, and connected journey for customers across the region.

Ben Ackroyd, Porterbrook COO, said: “Our investment in this Class 170 fleet ensures continued comfort, reliability, and performance to meet passengers’ evolving needs for years to come.

It’s fantastic to welcome the first refurbished train back onto the network, and we’d like to thank our partners at EMR, Arriva Train Care, and all companies who have supported this significant milestone.”

At the completion of the project, 78 Porterbrook vehicles will have been refurbished at Arriva Train Care in Crewe, delivering significant benefits for EMR’s regional rail customers. The next train in the programme is scheduled to enter service next month. Following that, a newly refurbished unit is expected to join the fleet each month.

Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said: "This refurbishment is more than just a lick of paint – it’s a complete transformation that puts our customers first.

"We’ve focused on creating an environment that is comfortable and functional – and it’s just the beginning. Over the next year, customers will start to see real, tangible improvements across our network, from the introduction of our state-of-the-art Aurora trains to a new regional timetable that will deliver better connectivity, more services, and extra capacity on key routes."