East Midlands Railway (EMR) has released the final chapter of its documentary about the roll out of their new state of the art Aurora fleet.
The final chapter of the Aurora documentary focuses on how EMR, which is operated by Transport UK, is training its staff to operate the new £400 million fleet.
The episode features drivers, train managers and senior management talking through the benefits the new trains will bring to customers.
It also provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of staff undergoing training and footage of them getting ready to work on the new fleet.
The first Aurora entered into service in December, today there are five units which are running at various times throughout the week.
The state-of-the-art Hitachi Rail built fleet will transform the experience of customers as they travel on the Midland Main Line – providing more seats, modern, spacious interiors, improved air conditioning, free enhanced WiFi, plug sockets at every seat and clear customer information screens.
The bi-mode trains take advantage of the £1.5 billion Midland Main Line upgrade, with the ability to run on electric overhead lines – dramatically cutting carbon emissions by 66 per cent, meaning quieter and greener journeys too.
Each Aurora will provide customers 24 per cent more seats and over 19 per cent more legroom in a typical five carriage formation, compared to the Meridian trains it is replacing.
Once the full fleet of 33 trains is in service, it will deliver a substantial 46 per cent increase in the total number of seats available for customers travelling on the Midland Main Line.
EMR went to great lengths to source and adapt a brand-new seat for the new trains. Working closely with Derby-based design firm DG DESIGN, it has taken the proven product of a FISA Lean seat and refined it to offer enhanced comfort and support for customers.
At the same time, it has ensured the seats include all the practical and technological features including power and USB points, generous legroom, coat hooks, well-sized seat-back tables for all seats and space to stow a cabin-bag under each seat.
The new Aurora fleet includes an enhanced Wi-Fi system that uses multiple sim cards to select the best possible signal for customers. Furthermore, specially designed glass in each carriage helps mobile signals pass through, allowing customers to stay connected.
Image credit: EMR
