London Midland unveils first new-look train
London Midland has brought the first of its refurbished trains into service in the West Midlands.
It is the first of 26 London Midland trains which will be upgraded, at a rate of about one a week over the next six months, as part of a £243 million investment in its rolling stock.
The three carriages of the 323-class train have been decked out in London Midland’s new green and black livery, with new seat covers, interiors, and design improvements to help people with impaired sight.
Some of the carriages will have intelligent sensors to count the number of passengers and help avoid overcrowding.
Engineering director John Barlass said: “We’re buying three new fleets of trains and introducing a comprehensive programme to improve reliability, as well as all the refurbishment.â€
By Bev Fearis

Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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