EAST MIDLANDS Railway has begun a £3 million project to replace the seat covers and renew the foam padding in standard class accommodation in its 27-strong Class 222 Meridian fleet, which the operator currently uses on its Intercity services.
The work is being carried out in advance of the trains being released by EMR following the introduction of the new Class 810 Aurora trains, which are expected to begin entering traffic with EMR services during 2024.
A total of 5272 fixed seats and 243 tip-up seats are to be refurbished, with the new covers finished in a neutral grey colour. The seat renewals are being carried out on the Class 222s while they are stopped for routine maintenance exams to avoid the need to remove the sets from traffic.
EMR stated that the old seating materials will be recycled, with the foam padding destined to be transformed into rubberised safety matting used in children’s play areas.
EMR fleet director Ian Hyde said: “This is great news for our Intercity customers while we await the exciting introduction of the Aurora fleet.
“The refurbishments will significantly improve the experience and environment for our customers – all without the need to take any trains out of service.
“This much-needed refresh represents a significant investment for the fleet and future-proofs it, enabling it to continue serving UK customers
