East Midlands Railway reveals the interior look of its new Aurora train fleet

EAST MIDLANDS Railway has released a video revealing the interiors of its new Hitachi-built bi-mode Class 810 Auroras, which are due to start entering service on the Midland Main Line early next year.

The Class 810s are replacing EMR’S existing Class 222 Meridian Intercity fleet, with Hitachi Rail currently constructing 33 five-carriage trains at its Newton Aycliffe facility in County Durham, financed by Rock Rail East Midlands.

The seats have been designed in collaboration with Derby-based design firm DGDESIGN. EMR has refined the FISA Lean seat to offer enhanced comfort and support. The seat rework has included enlarging the size of cushions, headrests and armrests and using durable materials throughout, such as wool-rich moquette and leather.

The Aurora interiors will also incorporate plug sockets and USB points, improved leg room, coat hooks, larger seat-back tables on the airlinestyle seating and enhanced luggage space, as well as space beneath each seat to accommodate a cabin bag. The vehicles will also be air-conditioned, with free Wi-fi throughout the train, improved mobile phone signal access, and better passenger information screens.

EMR’S head of new trains, Rachel Turner, said: “We are really excited for the introduction of the Aurora fleet and hope our customers enjoy watching this film. It offers a great insight into the work taking place to make sure the trains offer customers the features and comfort they expect from a modern train.

“Working with Hitachi, we have made every effort possible to make sure the features that customers value are included and that the environment of the carriages is as comfortable, spacious and practical as possible.” The video can be viewed at www. youtube.com/watch?v=uzzrkfob Hci&t=154s

David Barnsdale EMR Daytime testing of the five-coach bi-mode Hitachi Class 810 Aurora pioneer 810001 has commenced on the East Coast Main Line. The unit is the first of 33 trains being built for East Midlands Railway and will replace EMR’S current fleet of Class 222 Meridian trains. On February 7, 810001 departs Newark Northgate with a test run to Peterborough. An interior render of how the first class accommodation on the new Class 810 Aurora trains will look, with EMR’S aubergine, purple and cream being used on the seating and panelling.