Train passengers are set for better carriages in Norfolk and Suffolk.
£3m revamp for Norfolk and Suffolk trains
by DAN GRIMMER
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
4:45 PM
Train passengers in Norfolk and Suffolk are set for better trains after operator Greater Anglia announced it would be spending £3m to upgrade carriages.
Nine of the train companies’ two-carriage Class 156 vehicles will get a complete interior overhaul, with a deep clean, new carpets, seat covers and a new passenger information system.
The trains are in operation on several routes across the Greater Anglia network including the Norwich to Great Yarmouth, Norwich to Sheringham and Ipswich to Lowestoft lines.
Each train will also receive a brand new coat of paint in the company’s red and white livery.
Work on the upgrade started earlier this month, with the first due to be completed and returned to service at the end of November.
The entire refurbishment programme will continue until late 2013.
As part of the overhaul, extra work is being carried out to make the fleet compliant with future changes to the regulations for disabled passengers.
That extra work will include a revised seating layout to provide priority seats - two wheelchair spaces with “call for aid” buttons and a new universal toilet with wheelchair access.
Norfolk and Suffolk MPs, along with local councils and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, have been calling for improvements to the region’s railways.
The campaign has called for better, faster, more regular trains, with major investment in track and stations in the regions.
Therese Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, whose constituency includes the Ipswich to Lowestoft East Suffolk Line, said: “I’m delighted that passengers on the East Suffolk line will benefit from refurbished trains with a nicer travelling environment, better information provision and upgraded toilet facilities.
“Coupled with the introduction of an hourly service on the route from December, it means passengers along this vitally important corridor are seeing major improvements to their train service over the coming months, which will also support the local economy, help local communities and make our region more accessible.
“I’m pleased to see Greater Anglia delivering on their commitments to enhance train services on the Ipswich to Lowestoft line.”
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8 comments
I agree with 'Norfolk and Good'. The class 170 is a far better train. Smoother, quieter and air conditioning (essential on the hot summer days). The class 156 is an old design by todays standards. Rail franchises should be awarded on the basis that we are provided with modern trains and not the trains no one else wants. This historically this was the case even with the London-Norwich route where some of the electric locomotives and mixed carriages were best suited to a musuem.. Come on Greater Anglia, lease some decent rolling stock for us. Class 170 please, no more 156.
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Dave01
Friday, September 21, 2012
Any chance of doing something with those ridiculous single coach trains they use on the branch lines? Anyone taller than about 5ft 6in needs to cut their legs off to fit in the seats - were they designed just for children to use??
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Citizen of EUSSR
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Any chance of doing something with those ridiculous single coach trains they use on the branch lines? Anyone taller than about 5ft 6in needs to cut their legs off to fit in the seats - were they designed just for children to use??
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Citizen of EUSSR
Thursday, September 20, 2012
WOW! Red and white paint.....That should sort out the overcrowding,punctuality and extortionate ticketing costs!
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wes1975
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Therese Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, said: “I’m delighted that passengers on the East Suffolk line will benefit from refurbished trains with a nicer travelling environment, better information provision and upgraded toilet facilities. >>>>>>>>> Except that virtually all the services on the East Suffolk Line are operated by a different type of train (Class 170 units, which also have air conditioning and first class seating unlike the class 156 units referred to in this article) - I don't think Ms Coffey's constituents would wish to see their trains replaced with these inferior trains regardless of whether or not they have upgraded toilets!
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Norfolk and Good
Thursday, September 20, 2012
The 156's have the best layout out of any of the units, more table seats and leg room, let me guess unless you're in one of the disabled places there wont be any leg room at all.
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Ivan Coppard
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Is Greater Anglia spending this money? I may be wrong but I thought these 9 class 156 DMUs are owned by Porterbrook ( train leasing company) and as such Porterbrook would be paying for this. It makes no difference, just curious, as the article does not mention this.
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Dave01
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Everyone used to go to the coast by train , I even used to go to London on the choo choo . Only the comfortably off can afford to use them now .
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dragonfly
Tuesday, September 18, 2012