East Midlands Railway Shows Off First Refurbished Class 360

East Midlands Railway has shown off the first fully refurbished EMR Connect train, marking a key stage in a £30 million upgrade of services between Corby and London St Pancras International.

The Class 360 unit is the first train from the EMR Connect fleet to be completed under the programme and is due to enter service next month. It forms part of a wider £60 million regional refurbishment scheme being delivered across the East Midlands network.

The upgraded train has been redesigned with passengers on EMR Connect and Luton Airport Express services in mind, including commuters, leisure users and those travelling to and from London Luton Airport.

Inside, the refurbished Class 360 features a new 2+2 seating layout throughout, with a mix of airline-style seats and table bays. EMR says the changes are intended to create a more spacious and comfortable onboard environment.

Passengers will also see improved luggage provision, power and USB charging points, refreshed interiors, upgraded passenger information systems and enhanced accessibility features.

EMR Connect runs twice an hour between Corby and London St Pancras International, serving Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway. The route was launched in 2021 as EMR’s first all-electric service and, according to the operator, cut carbon emissions by 77 per cent compared with the diesel services previously used.

More refurbished Class 360 trains are expected to return to service in the coming months as the fleet-wide programme continues.

Dominic Booth, CEO 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.”

Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said:

"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."

David Jordan, Chief Operating Officer at Angel, 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. Programmes like this demonstrate how targeted investment in refurbishment can transform the passenger experience, while supporting the long-term future of rail travel. We’re proud to be supporting EMR in delivering this investment.”

Aglaja Schneider, Joint UK&I CEO, Siemens Mobility UK&I and Managing Director for Rolling Stock and Customer Services, said:

"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. There's more to come as the rest of the fleet moves through the programme, and we're looking forward to completing more trains to ensure comfortable and reliable journeys in the region for the long term."

Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer at London Luton Airport (LLA), said:

“London Luton Airport’s commitment to a simple, friendly journey extends to the moment people leave home. The addition of the Luton Airport Express has been transformative, linking Central London to the terminal in a little over 30 minutes via a seamless connection with the Luton DART. This multi million pound investment from EMR delivers a modern, comfortable on board experience for the growing number of passengers using the service, further strengthening rail as an attractive, more sustainable option for airport travel.”

Sir Peter Soulsby, Chair of the Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) said:

“Refurbishment of the electric Class 360’s to a level more consistent with their strategic role has been a key priority for the TfEM Board. We are delighted at the progress that EMR have now made, and look forward to the full roll-out of refurbished trains over the coming months”

Image: East Midlands Railway