Northern to refurbish 37 trains with air conditioning by 2028

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 14:44 · Archive

Northern will introduce 37 refurbished trains with air conditioning and extra space across the North West from early 2028.

Northern has announced a £25 million programme to introduce 37 refurbished Class 350 trains across the North West from early 2028. The trains will replace the operator's ageing Class 323 fleet, which is reaching the end of its working life.

The refurbished trains will feature air conditioning, extra seating capacity, luggage racks and power points at seats. They will also include variable rate sander technology, which can reduce stopping distances by up to 50 per cent and improve reliability during wet or icy conditions.

Tricia Williams, managing director at Northern, said the trains are 'much newer than the trains they are replacing' and 'will make a real difference to our customers, with air conditioning, more carriages, more space and a more pleasant environment throughout'. Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said passengers 'deserve a railway that is reliable, comfortable and fit for the future'. The £25 million programme is funded by Porterbrook. The refurbished trains are intended to improve reliability in the meantime, before up to 450 brand new trains arrive from around 2030 onwards.

How it is being reported

• Ageing Northern trains to be replaced in £25m upgrade from 2028Northern is introducing 37 refurbished trains with air conditioning, extra space and at-seat power across the North West from 2028Lancashire Telegraph · 9 Oct, 14:00
• Air conditioning and more carriages as Northern plans to spend £25m refurbishing trains in Lancashire and NWPassengers will be able to enjoy air conditioned carriages - and more of them - as part of a planned £25m rollout of refurbished Northern trains with ‘Great British Railway’ branding across Lancashire and the North West. But you’ll have to wait until 2028.Chorley Guardian · 8 Oct, 15:49

In this story: Northern · North West · Porterbrook · Tricia Williams · Lord Peter Hendy · Manchester

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