Britain’s newest train unveiled in Birmingham

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A ÂŁ93m investment in 27 brand new class 172 diesel trains entering service in September will bring a range of benefits to London Midland customers on the Snow Hill line running from Worcester to Leamington Spa and Stratford-Upon-Avon.

The new trains, which replace the 25 year old class 150 diesel fleet currently in service on the line, have a number of state of the art features, including air conditioning, a wheelchair accessible toilet and more comfortable spacious seating.

A wider door area will enable customers to get on and off the train more quickly. There is also a larger dedicated area for wheelchair users, which will make journeys easier for disabled passengers.

Customers will be kept up to date with the latest journey information, through electronic information screens inside the train, as well as automated audio announcements. The train is also fitted with CCTV cameras both inside and outside.

The train has been designed in such a way as to reduce noise, so customers will enjoy a quieter environment.

Mike Hodson, Managing Director of London Midland, said:

“We are looking forward to bringing these new trains to our customers on this extremely popular route. We are anticipating that passenger numbers will further increase next year.

“These new trains will provide a much more pleasant travel environment for our customers.”

Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of Centro, the region’s transport authority, said:

“More people are turning to local rail year on year, especially for the daily commute and it’s important that they get quality services.” These new trains should bring improved comfort for passengers so their introduction is to be welcomed.”

3 COMMENTS

  1. About time, not exactly brownie points for Bombardier here then –  significantly late on delivery and holding up a cascade of rolling stock around the rail industry that will help to ease overcrowding where it is at its’ worst.

    Nice to see that the finished article actually has gangways between units – too many (all other?) post-privatisation DMUs have been specified without these and then run around in multiple, isolating catering and revenue protection in one part of the train.

  2. “…state of the art features…   …air conditioning, a wheelchair accessible toilet and more comfortable spacious seating…”  Interesting concepts here and very state of the art…:
    * – air conditioning, in service in the ‘Blue Pullman’ DEMU sets from 1960 (51 years ago)
    * – wheelchair accessible toilet, at the very least in service from the introduction of the Class 155 ‘Sprinter’ DMU from 1987/8 (so 23 years ago +)
    * – comfortable spacious seating – formerly available across most of the British railway network, although now a rarity, if this marks a return then it is a positive move, although if the interior is the same as that on the ‘London Overground’ 172 sets, the utilitarian ‘Grammar’ seats, whilst well spaced are not exactly sumptuous…

  3. “…state of the art features…   …air conditioning, a wheelchair accessible toilet and more comfortable spacious seating…”  Interesting concepts here and very state of the art…:
    * – air conditioning, in service in the ‘Blue Pullman’ DEMU sets from 1960 (51 years ago)
    * – wheelchair accessible toilet, at the very least in service from the introduction of the Class 155 ‘Sprinter’ DMU from 1987/8 (so 23 years ago +)
    * – comfortable spacious seating – formerly available across most of the British railway network, although now a rarity, if this marks a return then it is a positive move, although if the interior is the same as that on the ‘London Overground’ 172 sets, the utilitarian ‘Grammar’ seats, whilst well spaced are not exactly sumptuous…

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