Revamped trains come to Birmingham
The first of 27 new London Midland trains has started service through Birmingham Snow Hill as part of a £93m investment in the service.
They replace a fleet of 25-year-old diesel trains. London Midlands said that up to 8.5 million rail passengers would benefit from the overhaul every week.
Each of the 27 trains has been equipped with carpets, CCTV, and a GPS-based audio/visual information system which automatically announces the next station stop.
Since the start of the London Midland franchise in 2007, the operator has invested in improvements to its three main routes into Snow Hill – from Stratford-upon-Avon, Dorridge and Worcester - including an £80m resignalling project to improve reliability.
The remaining 26 new trains will take to the tracks throughout September and October, London Midland confirmed.
Alex Hynes, commercial director of the train operator, said: "Having completed a major programme of station improvements, the introduction of the new trains will revolutionise the travel experience on the Snow Hill lines. Seeing the first of these brand new trains in service for the first time today really does mark the start of a new era."
