New trains clock up 10m miles across network
Train firm bosses in the North East have 10million reasons to celebrate.
That’s how many miles the fleet of Northern Rail’ s new trains travelled in just 20 months across the network.
The new trains – electric Class 331s and diesel Class 195s –were introduced for Northern customers in July 2019.
Now, with 100 trains carrying customers through 11 different counties - calling at more than 150 stations - they have clocked 10million.
Tricia Williams, Nor the rn’ s chief operating officer, said: “Our new trains are key to the transformation of rail travel in the north and it’s fantastic that so many customers will have experienced better journeys over so many miles. Our commitment to modernising the railway is absolute and the £500m investment in new trains – providing faster, more comfortable and more efficient journeys – is testament to the work carried out by Northern to deliver significant improvements.”
The CAF-built trains feature free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, at-seat power and customer information/media screens with real-time information. They are also more spacious and fully accessible, with spaces for wheelchairs and bikes.
Northern’s new trains are part of the largest modernisation programme in a generation that is transforming travel in the north of England.
She added: “Despite the difficult year – dominated by the pandemic – we have made great strides to improve our network.
"We have been busy when our customers have been away from the railway and have delivered enhancements across all parts of our business. When they return, I’ m confident customerswill notice the improvements we’ve made .”