Having released images of the upcoming class 360 EMU refurbishment programme earlier last week, East Midlands Railway (EMR) has now also released images ahead of the planned refurbishment of the Class 158 and Class 170 Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs).
As part of the EMRs £28.2 million Big Regional Refurbishment, a good proportion of trains that run on local and regional short haul trains are being refitted and given a facelift as part of the project.
All the upgrades are designed to enhance travelling on EMR services.
A good number of these diesel trains have come to the East Midlands from other train companies and, as such, are currently still running in their former liveries of their previous Train Operating Companies.
The refurbishment of both the 158 and 170 Diesel Multiple Units will ensure that the trains will be in the correct livery of their current operating company.
The furnishments of these trains will also include new seat cushions and covers, new passenger information screens, and an upgraded CCTV system.
The Class 170 DMUs largely run on services across the central Midlands on a variety of routes linking major towns and cities. Those routes being:
- Derby to Nottingham
- Nottingham to Worksop via Mansfield
- Newark Castle to Crewe via Nottingham
- Derby to Stoke-on-Trent
- Peterborough to Doncaster via Lincoln
- Nottingham to Skegness via Grantham
- Cleethorpes to Leicester via Lincoln and Nottingham
- Cleethorpes to Barton-on-Humber
- Liverpool to Norwich
The Class 158 DMUs largely run on routes from Liverpool to Norwich, Manchester, and Sheffield.
By the end of the programme, a large proportion of the East Midlands Railway fleet of trains, both diesel and electric, will have been refurbished answering the calls that passengers across the central Midlands have been asking for.
“We’re excited to share these conceptual images of the upgrades. The £28.2 million refurbishment of our Class 170 and Class 158 trains will be transformative—offering customers more convenience, comfort, and better facilities.
“It is also great news for the country’s rail industry, with all the work being carried out by UK companies.”
Simon Pready, Commercial Director for East Midlands Railway
Responses
I travelled probably for the first time this weekend on a Class 158 DMU operated by Northern Rail, and was appalled at how noisy and “vibraty” it was. No amount of internal refurbishment and fancy outside paint jobs will improve on this.
Engine noise and vibration was bad throughout both carriages, and the very thin padding on the seats didn’t help. These units are far worse to travel in than even the older class 156 units which are much quieter and smoother in comparison.
A road coach which had the same levels of engine noise and vibration as a Class 158 would just not be acceptable, how did we get such sub standard rail vehicles?
People always complaining drive to your destination or go on a coach if you dislike trains.
Sounds like a good idea to refurbish the whole entire rolling stock to make them lot more smarter, cleaner and reliable. Perhaps EMR should keep some of the Class 222 Meridians to be used on Norwich-Nottingham/Manchester service rathan than moving them for storage as new Class 810 IETs are due to enter service from next year.
The class 158s are well over 30 years old now and should be replaced. As suggested, a cascade of Voyagers from Cross Country should be a priority and better trains in turn introduced to succeed them. But two coach trains are still being used on busy routes – stop treating passengers and staff in this contemptible fashion.
Bet they still break down by Nottingham! Did 800 miles Lancaster to Norwich via Manchester in November and had to have half the journeys refunded. Appalling service. I love the 158 but EMR have neglected them for too long. Most still had their Stagecoach branding on!
You can’t make a silk purse from pigs ear. The Norwich-Liverpool service is a disgrace with only a tired 2-car unit that is often almost full when leaving Norwich. EMR need to invest in some decent 4 car units for this service suitable for the length of the run. Meridians/Voyagers perhaps could be cascaded?
Crosscountry are having their own overcrowding problems so acquiring voyagers from crosscountry will mean that their services would become more overcrowded then they already are.
These are all pointless superficial improvements. Travelling from Peterborough a few weeks ago on EMR was one of the most unpleasant railway experiences I have ever had. What passenger benefit is there in reupholstering the seats, putting a new livery on the outside of the carriages or new information screens? Costly and of no benefit whatsoever. What would improve passenger experience would be four carriages where currently there are only two, which as pointed out in the previous comment leads to unpleasant and unsafe overcrowding
This is all very well but we need many more and longer trains because the current fleet of trains get stupidly and dangerously overcrowded. As someone on the autistic spectrum, I get very anxious and upset when trains or buses get very busy and I feel threatened at being boxed in by strangers.