{"id":53833,"date":"2025-12-08T13:10:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T13:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketingderby.co.uk\/?p=53833"},"modified":"2025-12-08T16:17:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T16:17:19","slug":"first-train-from-rail-operators-400m-intercity-fleet-enters-into-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketingderby.co.uk\/news\/first-train-from-rail-operators-400m-intercity-fleet-enters-into-service\/","title":{"rendered":"First train from rail operator\u2019s \u00a3400m Intercity fleet enters into service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The first train in East Midlands Railway<\/a>\u2019s new Intercity fleet has entered into service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transport UK and EMR said that the first state-of-the-art Aurora train from its new \u00a3400 million fleet started carrying passengers last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new trains, which travel on the Midland Main Line and serve Derby, provide more seats, have modern, spacious interiors and enhanced accessibility features<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The maiden Aurora service departed Sheffield at 7am, bound for London, and stopped at Derby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will Rogers, managing director at EMR, said: \u201cIt was truly a landmark moment for rail travel across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“At 7am, the very first train in Transport UK and EMR\u2019s brand-new \u00a3400 million Aurora fleet departed Sheffield for London St Pancras – marking the start of a new era for Intercity travel on our network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.”<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The 33 bi-mode trains will take advantage of the \u00a31.5 billion Midland Main Line upgrade, with the ability to run on electric overhead lines – dramatically cutting carbon emissions by 66%, meaning quieter and greener journeys too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aurora fleet will provide customers 24% more seats and over 19% more legroom in a typical five carriage formation, compared to the Meridian trains it is replacing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the full fleet of 33 trains is in service, it will deliver a substantial 46% increase in the total number of seats available for customers travelling on the Midland Main Line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transport UK\u2019s EMR business went to great lengths to source and adapt a brand-new seat for the new trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working closely with Derby-based design firm DG DESIGN, it has taken the proven product of a FISA Lean seat and refined it to offer enhanced comfort and support for customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, it has ensured the seats include practical and technological features including power and USB points, generous legroom, coat hooks, well-sized seat-back tables for all seats and space to stow a cabin-bag under each seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The new Aurora fleet includes an enhanced Wi-Fi system that uses multiple sim cards to select the best possible signal for customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, thanks to the use of glass engineered to allow mobile signals to pass through more effectively, customers will benefit from improved connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A video has been produced documenting the story of the Aurora fleet. View it below or click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n