Train tribute to key workers
FIRST IN NEW-LOOK FLEET HONOURS FRONT-LINE STAFF
THE first new East Midlands Railway train with free wi-fi is in service and has been named The Key Worker.
The name is a tribute to railway staff, NHS staff and people in the other key worker occupations who have kept the country going through the pandemic.
The company, which has the franchise for the Midland main line, promised a new fleet of rolling stock, all with free wi-fi for everyone on board.
East Midlands Railway runs trains from Leicester to locations including London, Norwich, Liverpool, Manchester and Lincoln.
The Key Worker – a Class 170 Turbostar - is initially running on the Robin Hood Line between Nottingham and Worksop, but other new trains will eventually throughout the network.
Will Rogers, managing director of East Midlands Railway, said: “The introduction of our first 170 is an exciting milestone for us and a real boost for EMR Regional. They offer passengers significant improvements and benefits and will make journeys more comfortable and convenient.
“It is fitting to name the first train into service as The Key Worker in honour and to say thank you to everyone who has worked so tirelessly in recent months to support us all.”
The Key Worker is also the first train on the EMR network to use the new East Midlands Railway livery.
With a different design to the Class 15x fleet that they replace, the Class 170 trains offer wider doors that are closer to the middle of the carriage to make it easier to enter and exit for passengers, as well as more table seats.
The new trains will all include various upgrades including the introduction of power sockets, improved CCTV, enhanced information systems and better toilets.
Andrew Pritchard, of Transport for the East Midlands, said: “We welcome the introduction of newer and better quality trains to the East Midlands and naming the train
“The Key Worker values the frontline staff who have worked tirelessly and kept delivering.”
The first 170 train will be joined by a further two next month.
These units will operate initially on the Nottingham to Worksop route before being rolled out more generally as part of the company’s plans for 2021.