Harborough MP visits new fleet of trains set to enter service next month

Mr O’Brien said he was impressed with the new East Midlands Railway aurora fleet which will serve passengers travelling between Market Harborough, Leicester and London.

The fleet, which costs around £400 million, features 33 five-car bi-mode units, which can run on electric overhead wires.

Among the improvements for passengers are around 24 per cent more seats than current Meridian trains, 19 per cent more leg room, free high-speed WiFi, power and USB points at every seat and up to 136 per cent more luggage capacity.

Following the visit, Mr O’Brien said: “It is great to finally see these new trains on the line, and like many others I am looking forward to using them in service.

“This is long overdue, as they were commissioned under the last Government but have been delayed.

“However, it is hugely welcome that they will enter service next month.

“The current Meridian trains are definitely showing a lot of wear and tear after years of intensive use.

“It will be great to ride on these new trains, which are a vast improvement.

“The better WiFi and phone signal will also be something to look forward to.”

Mr O’Brien added he would keep pushing the Department for Transport regarding a start date for the new fleet, which has yet to be confirmed.

He said he would also continue pressing for the full electrification of the Midland Mainline, a topic covered during a meeting earlier in the month with Network Rail officials.

In July, the Department for Transport announced that the electrification of the line north of South Wigston would be put on hold, a decision Mr O’Brien described as “incredibly short-sighted."

Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at https://www.yourworld.net/submit/ It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.