East Midlands Railway (EMR) has entered the implementation phase of its Class 170 refurbishment programme, placing the first upgraded unit into daily operation on 17 May 2025. The project—valued at £23 million—covers the operator’s entire 44-strong Class 170 fleet and forms part of a wider £60 million rolling-stock investment that also encompasses Class 360 and Class 158 sets.
Scope of the Upgrade
| Feature | New Specification |
|---|---|
| Seating & Tables | Completely re-trimmed seats, redesigned tables modelled on EMR’s forthcoming Aurora interior |
| Power & Charging | 230 V AC sockets, USB-A, USB-C |
| Passenger Information | New audio-visual passenger information system |
| Flooring & Toilets | Resurfaced saloons, fully refurbished accessible toilet modules |
| Active Travel | Dedicated cyclespace integrated into saloon layout |
The interior styling mirrors the design language of EMR’s bi-mode Aurora fleet, expected to enter service later this year.
Delivery Timetable
- Unit 1: In traffic (May 2025)
- Unit 2: Due June 2025
- Subsequent units: One release per month until programme completion (target Q2 2028)
Operational Deployment
Class 170s provide the backbone of EMR Regional services, covering:
- Matlock – Derby – Nottingham
- Nottingham – Worksop via Mansfield
- Newark Castle – Crewe via Derby and Stoke-on-Trent
- Peterborough – Doncaster via Lincoln
- Nottingham – Skegness
- Cleethorpes – Leicester and Cleethorpes – Barton-on-Humber
- Regular diagrams on Liverpool Lime Street – Norwich
Industry Collaboration
The units are owned by rolling-stock leasing company Porterbrook. Arriva Train Care is delivering the heavy-refresh work with design input from Derby-based DG Design and a supply chain concentrated in Derby, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Sutton-in-Ashfield and Crewe. The refurbishment aligns with Derby’s forthcoming role as headquarters of Great British Railways, further reinforcing the city’s rail-engineering profile.
Executive Commentary
Will Rogers, Managing Director, EMR
“This programme delivers a complete interior transformation focused on comfort, functionality and connectivity. Customers will notice tangible improvements as each unit re-enters service.”
Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer, Porterbrook
“Our joint investment ensures the Class 170 fleet remains reliable and passenger-friendly well into the next decade.”
Outlook
Following completion of the Class 170 workstream, EMR will commence similar upgrades to its Class 360 and Class 158 fleets, while introducing brand-new Hitachi-built Aurora bi-mode sets on inter-city duties. Railway Prune will continue to track key milestones across the programme.
