EMR reveals first refurbished Class 360 train as part of £30m fleet upgrade

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has unveiled the first fully refurbished Class 360 train, marking a significant milestone in a major investment programme designed to improve passenger journeys between Corby and London St Pancras International.

The upgraded unit is the first train to emerge from EMR’s £30 million EMR Connect refurbishment project, which forms part of a wider £60 million programme to modernise regional rolling stock across the East Midlands network.

Passengers travelling on EMR Connect and Luton Airport Express services will benefit from a completely redesigned interior aimed at delivering a more comfortable and modern travel experience.

Among the improvements are new 2+2 seating layouts throughout the train, featuring a combination of airline-style seats and table bays to provide greater comfort and flexibility for passengers. The refurbishment also includes upgraded luggage storage, power sockets and USB charging facilities, enhanced passenger information systems, refreshed interiors and improved accessibility features.

The first refurbished train is scheduled to enter passenger service next month, with additional units expected to follow as the programme progresses.

EMR Connect operates twice-hourly electric services between Corby and London St Pancras International, serving stations including Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway. Since its introduction in 2021, the route has been EMR’s first fully electric service and has delivered a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared with the diesel trains it replaced.

Dominic Booth, Chief Executive Officer of Transport UK, said:

“The unveiling of this first fully refurbished Class 360 train marks a key delivery milestone and demonstrates Transport UK’s unwavering commitment to our passengers. This is a perfect example of our delivery-first culture in action, driven by operational expertise.

“As part of our substantial £60 million regional refurbishment programme, it ensures comprehensive upgrades, delivering a higher quality journey for EMR passengers. Crucially, this commitment extends beyond today’s comfort: we are securing the long-term reliability of a modern electric fleet that has already achieved a 77 per cent reduction in carbon emissions on this route, serving the region responsibly and sustainably for years to come.”

EMR Managing Director Will Rogers described the refurbishment as a major enhancement for passengers.

“This investment will transform the experience for our customers, delivering trains that are more comfortable, more practical and better suited to modern travel.

“The refurbished fleet will provide a step-change for passengers using EMR Connect and Luton Airport Express services and I look forward to hearing what customers think of it when the first enters service next month.”

The programme is being delivered in partnership with rolling stock owner Angel Trains and Siemens Mobility, which is carrying out the refurbishment work.

David Jordan, Chief Operating Officer at Angel Trains, said:

“We’re pleased to see the first refurbished Class 360 train completed as part of this programme with East Midlands Railway.

“These upgrades will make a real difference to passengers travelling on the EMR Connect route, helping to deliver a more modern and comfortable onboard experience while ensuring these trains continue to serve communities across the region for years to come.”

Aglaja Schneider, Joint UK & Ireland CEO at Siemens Mobility and Managing Director for Rolling Stock and Customer Services, added:

“It’s great to see the first refurbished Class 360 completed. We are delighted to be upgrading the Class 360s to deliver enhancements both to the passenger environments and technology to transform the passenger journey.

“Our teams in Northampton and Bedford have worked closely with East Midlands Railway and Angel Trains throughout, and the result is a train that looks and feels noticeably different for passengers.”

The investment has also been welcomed by London Luton Airport, whose Luton Airport Express service is operated using the Class 360 fleet, and by Transport for the East Midlands, which has long advocated improvements to the trains.

With further refurbished units due to enter service throughout the year, the programme is expected to deliver a significantly improved travel experience while extending the operational life of the fleet and supporting sustainable rail travel across the region.