East Midlands Railway has announced that the first of its new regional fleet of class 170 trains has entered service.
The Class 170 ‘Turbostars' will initially run on the Robin Hood Line and will offer more reliable trains with free WiFi, and is also one of the first trains on the network to use the new East Midlands Railway livery.
The Class 170s replace the Class 15x fleet and have wider doors, which will make it easier to enter and leave for passengers.
To recognise the work by EMR employees, the operator has named the first Class 170 to enter service, 170417, ‘The Key Worker'.
Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said: “The introduction of our first 170 is an exciting milestone for us and a real boost for EMR Regional. They offer passengers significant improvements and benefits and will make journeys more comfortable and convenient.
“It is fitting to name the first train into service as ‘The Key Worker' in honour and to say thank you to everyone who has worked so tirelessly in recent months to support us all.”
Andrew Pritchard, of Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM), said: “We welcome the introduction of newer and better quality trains to the East Midlands and naming the train “Key Worker” values the front line staff across the region who have worked tirelessly and kept delivering.”
A further two class 170 trains will be operating on the Nottingham to Worksop route in early December and will be widely rolled out in 2021.
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There’s a typo in the top photo caption credit – *West* Midlands Railway!
Will the Class 170s be able to work on the Nottingham-Norwich service. What about using the Class 170s for Peterborough-Lincoln, Derby-Matlock, Nottingham-Lincoln, Nottingham-Birmingham New Street, Derby/Nottingham-Worksop and other services across the East Midlands. With some being transferred from Southern (converted from Class 171) and from Transport for Wales, West Midlands Railway and some cascaded from ScotRail.
The TfW 170s are not going to EMR; they’re staying with TfW for at least the duration of the franchise, which ends in 2033.
Ok sounds good that TfW wants to keep the Class 170/2s. That were once used on Greater Anglia before being cascaded to TfW as Greater Anglia ordered the Class 755 Bi-mode Flirts. And are in service across East Anglia.
Had not heard that 171s off Southern ( Uckfield & Hastings services) were migrating? Southern did shuffle the 4-car sets to St.Leonards and bring their 2-car units to Selhurst.
So it is be true that Southern aren’t going to replace the Class 171 to EMR. Or just a few and to keep the rest with Southern.
I seem to recall all EMR regional services will be gradually going over to class 170 operation as the fleet arrives with the possible exception of Nottingham to Liverpool.
Right. Does sound like it’s true.