The first nine trains in a £500m new fleet for local rail services will start carrying customers from Monday 1 July, train operator Arriva Rail North announced today.

Nine trains will begin operating on routes between Cumbria and Manchester Airport, Liverpool and Manchester Airport, and between Doncaster and Leeds.

The rest of the 101-strong fleet of new trains will be rolled out in the coming months in the biggest upgrade for local rail services in a generation.

The announcement was made as Arriva Rail North, known as Northern, put on a special preview service for invited guests and media representatives to travel from Preston to Manchester on a new diesel train. A similar preview service using a new electric train will operate between Doncaster and Leeds on Friday.

Richard Allan, Deputy Managing Director, Northern, said: “These new trains are the biggest investment in local rail services in the North for a generation and the whole Northern team is very proud and honoured to be able to introduce them to our customers on three of our routes from 1 July.

“These new trains represent a huge improvement in design, quality and overall experience for our customers.”

Northern has ordered 101 new trains, a £500m investment, and following the introduction of the first nine new trains on 1 July, the rest will be introduced at monthly intervals through 2019 and into 2020, with more routes benefiting from the new trains over time.

Each of the new trains features free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, at-seat power and customer information/media screens with real-time information. They are also more spacious for customers and are fully accessible with spaces for wheel chairs and cycles.

The new diesel train was previewed at an event at Preston station, where it was officially named ‘Proud to be Northern’ in recognition of the step change in quality that it represents for customers and for Northern’s 6,100 employees.

Rail minister, Andrew Jones, said: “We have already seen the introduction of refurbished trains as part of Northern’s investment. The unveiling today of brand new trains shows that transformation continues on the north’s rail network.

“This is a true milestone, providing passengers with more spacious, reliable and comfortable journeys.

“I am delighted that we will see the first services running in July. Together with new fleets on Northern, TransPennine Express and the Azumas on the East Coast, we are one step closer to saying goodbye to outdated trains and the start of a more modern rail network fit for people across the north.”

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