East Midlands Railway introduces first of its regional Class 170s

A Class 170 entered traffic with East Midlands Railway on November 2, becoming the first of the operator’s new regional fleet.

Former ScotRail 170417, now named Key Worker, was used on the Nottingham-Worksop route. It will be joined by two classmates on the same route by the end of the year. EMR’s long-term plan is to replace its Class 153/156/158 fleets with the newer ‘170s’ on all routes.

So far, four have moved south from ScotRail (170416/417/419/ 420), while a fifth (170418) ran to Holbeck on November 2 for refurbishment and repainting.

The trains feature free WiFi and will be fitted with power sockets, improved CCTV, enhanced passenger information systems and upgraded toilets.

EMR named the ‘170’ to recognise the efforts of EMR staff and those in the wider transport network, during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The introduction of our first ‘170’ is an exciting milestone for us and a real boost for EMR Regional,” said Managing Director Will Rogers.

The Class 170s will be rolled out across other routes next year. EMR is due to receive 170501-517, 170630-635 from West Midlands Trains (the latter six are having their centre-cars removed), while 171201/202, 171401/402 will move from Southern, along with six two-car Class 171/7s and two four-car Class 171/8s. The ‘171s’ will be converted back to ‘170s’.