Exploring East Midlands Railway: A Journey Through History and Adventure

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is a train operating company in Great British Railways that provides Intercity(EMR) links like Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, and more expansive areas with London St Pancras International while EMR Regional, which provides rail services across large parts of England. Its headquarters in Derby will oversee operations until August 2027.

East Midlands Railway

East Midlands Railway also operates stations and train maintenance depots. EMR’s diverse routes offer glimpses into England’s past and future and serve as vital community connections. Start your journey through history and landscapes aboard EMR.

Origins and Brief History of East Midlands Railway

In 2006, the Department for Transport started restructuring rail franchises, birthing East Midlands Trains (EMT) in 2007, operated by Stagecoach, merging services from Midland Mainline and Central Trains. EMT swiftly implemented changes, including timetable revisions and service expansions, notably increasing frequency on the Sheffield-London route. Significant investments in infrastructure, like the 2013 track improvements and re-signaling in Nottingham, facilitated faster journey times and safer travel. EMT’s dedication to safety garnered multiple NRA Safety Awards.

EMT prioritized staff engagement despite labor tensions, launching programs like ‘Executive on Tour’ to bridge management-staff relations. In 2014, its excellence earned the Passenger Operator of the Year award, highlighting its commitment to service amidst challenges like Cyclone Dirk. EMT’s franchise, initially set to end in 2015, saw extensions subject to competitive bids. In 2019, Abellio secured the franchise, leading to the transition to East Midlands Railway.

 EMR took over operations from East Midlands Trains (EMT) on 18 August 2019, on an agreement to run the franchise for eight years. Abellio, owned by the Dutch government-owned rail firm, will take over the East Midlands rail franchise from 2019 until 2027. Abellio has promised new trains, 165 new carriages, and improved infrastructure.

Routes and Train Services

East Midlands Railway(EMR) Intercity Services

London St Pancras to Nottingham East midlands railway map
London St Pancras to Sheffield East midlands railway map
  • London St Pancras to Nottingham: Fast service via Bedford, Kettering, Leicester, and Beeston.
  • London St Pancras to Sheffield: The route includes key stops at Chesterfield, Derby, and Leicester, and the journey takes approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes.  
  • London St Pancras to Kettering:     Dedicated commuter service, potential future extension to Corby.  
  • London St Pancras to Derby and Lincoln:     Semi-fast and peak-time stopping services.
East midlands railway Main line map

East Midlands Railway(EMR) Regional Services

Sprinters (Class 153s, 156s, 158s):     Operating short, medium, and long trips.  

Route 1: InterCity on the Midland Main Line, with future extensions planned to Leeds, York, and Scarborough.  

Route 2: Cross-country services via Leicester.

Route 3: Connecting East Midlands towns with Crewe, Stoke, and the Peak District.  

Route 4: Linking East Midlands with eastern England.

All routes of East Midlands Railway are shown below.

Overall East midlands railway route map

One notable route, the Robin Hood Line, travels through Nottinghamshire. It offers views of ancient woodlands and medieval castles steeped in the folklore of the legendary outlaw.

Services Available Onboard East Midlands Trains

1. WIFI: Some East Midlands Trains offer free Wi-Fi, which is great for staying connected during your journey. If you’re in First Class, it’s complimentary, but if you’re in Standard Class, there might be a small fee.

2. Power Sockets: All Meridian trains have power sockets, whether in First or Standard Class. These are handy for charging your laptop or phone, especially on trips from London St Pancras.

3. Restaurant and Catering: Most East Midlands trains traveling to or from London have a buffet where you can grab snacks, and some even have full-on restaurants and trolley services. When planning your trip, you can check which trains offer these facilities.

4. First Class Lounges: If you’re traveling First Class, you can access special lounges at London St Pancras, Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester stations. These lounges are for First Class ticket holders, including those with First Advance tickets. Plus, if you’re driving, there are dedicated parking spaces for First Class passengers at Derby and Leicester stations

Rolling Stock/Fleet of East Midland Railway

The EMR network is split over three key routes: InterCity, Regional, and Connect. EMR operates different fleet types on each route.

 Inter-City Fleet

Class 158 and 170 fleets operate on regional services. EMR operates a fast, frequent service between London and key East Midlands destinations, including Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, Sheffield, and East Midlands Parkway. It runs five fast trains an hour to and from London St Pancras, with a journey time to Sheffield of just over two hours.

East midlands railway intercity fleet

Passengers on the services can expect:  

  • Free WiFi in First & Second class  
  • Food & drink trolley service  
  • Seat reservations  
  • Comfy seats with tables  
  • Space for luggage  
  • CCTV on all services.

EMR Connect Fleet

EMR’s electric Class 360 fleet operates EMR Connect and Luton Airport Express services between Corby and London St Pancras, stopping at Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton, and Luton Airport Parkway. The Class 360 fleet comprises 21 four-carrying trains that can be joined together to run as four, eight or twelve-carrying trains.

 EMR Connect service offers services in both directions every 30 minutes. Passengers on the service can expect:    

  • Free WiFi   
  • More seats for passengers  
  • CCTV

Regional East Midland Railways Fleet

EMR regional services run between Matlock to Derby and Nottingham, Nottingham to Workshop via Mansfield, Newark Castle to Crewe via Nottingham, Derby and Stoke-On-Trent, Peterborough to Doncaster via Lincoln, Nottingham to Skegness via Grantham, Cleethorpes to Leicester via Lincoln and Nottingham, and Cleethorpes to Barton on Humber.

East midlands railway regional fleet

Class 170 Diesel Multiple Currently has 4 three-car units, and class 158 Diesel Multiple units 26 two-car units.

Booking and Ticketing of East Midland Trains

Booking a train ticket for EMR (East Midlands Railway) trains is straightforward and offers multiple convenient options. The most accessible method is through the EMR website or App. By visiting the EMR website or App, passengers can easily search for available trains, select their preferred journey, choose seats, and make secure online payments.

The EMR website provides a user-friendly interface, allowing passengers to navigate the booking process with ease and efficiency. Booking through the website also offers real-time information regarding concession on advance booking, train schedules, fares, and seat availability.

Another convenient method to book EMR train tickets is through self-service (Smart Kiosks) devices at train stations, akin to ATMs. These user-friendly devices enable passengers to browse train schedules, select their desired journey, and purchase tickets using cash or card payments. Station devices provide a quick and hassle-free booking experience for passengers who prefer to make their reservations in person or may need access to online booking facilities.

Smart Kiosks self service booking device

Transformation Plan East Midland Railways

EMR’s ongoing transformation plan significantly enhances passenger experience while driving cost efficiency. Central to this initiative is the modernization of their rolling stock, particularly with the introduction of the innovative Class 810 bi-mode ‘Aurora’ trains. These trains offer heightened comfort for passengers and contribute to cost savings and environmental sustainability by running in electric mode. By completing the cascade of rolling stock, including the retirement of older trains like the Class 156, EMR aims to deliver substantial benefits to both taxpayers and the planet.

Key milestones in 2023-24 include the transition to the Class 170 fleet, progress in the Class 810 program with Hitachi, and the commencement of fleet refurbishments funded by third parties. This refurbishment extends across electric and diesel fleets, ensuring value for money and long-term service reliability. Removing Class 180 trainsets reflects EMR’s responsiveness to evolving travel demands, aligning supply with demand while prioritizing taxpayer value. These strategic actions underscore EMR’s commitment to enhancing service quality, environmental responsibility, and fiscal prudence in the communities they serve.

Performance of East Midland Railways

Passenger Views

  • Generally, East Midlands Trains are considered satisfactory and reliable, meeting passenger expectations with exemplary service basics.
  • However, some passengers need to find the rolling stock updated and essential.
  • A key concern is the frequency of trains, especially during rush hour, where some routes have only hourly services.
  • The Liverpool-Norwich Line is considered to be of lower quality than other regional routes, but it is appreciated for its scenic journeys through the Peak District.

Specific Issues

  • In Lincolnshire, the lines are reported as the worst on the network, especially the Nottingham-Lincoln stretch, with delays and overcrowding.   
  • Signalling issues in Sleaford cause further delays from Peterborough to Doncaster and the Skegness line.

Passenger Suggestions

  • Some Sheffield passengers advocate for better connectivity, suggesting linking stations like Dore to the tram network for improved accessibility, especially to places like Manchester.

While East Midlands Trains are generally reliable, there are concerns about train frequency, outdated rolling stock, and specific issues in regions like Lincolnshire. Improvements in connectivity and addressing infrastructure issues could enhance passenger satisfaction

Some statistics of East Midland Railways (EMR)

  • East Midlands Railway operated on 1,549.8 kilometres of route in 2020-21.  
  • East Midlands Railway’s number of FTE employees was 2,504.1 as of 31 March 2021.  
  • East Midlands Railway managed 90 stations as of 31 March 2021. 
  • In 2020-21, there were 5.1 million passenger journeys, which equates to 20.0% of the journeys made in 2019-20. There were 410 million passenger kilometres traveled, which is 18.2% of the kilometers traveled in 2019-20.  

134,917 trains were planned for 2020-21, 84.8% of the trains scheduled for 2019-20

East Midlands Railway Jobs

East Midlands Railway offers various job opportunities across departments such as customer service, operations, engineering, administration, and management. Positions range from train drivers to station staff and maintenance technicians.

Interesting and Beautiful Places in East Midlands

Heights of Abraham

Visit the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath for stunning views of the Derbyshire countryside. Take a cable car ride to the top and explore the caverns and woodland trails. Easily accessible via Matlock Bath station on the EMR network.

Heights of Abraham UK
Heights of Abraham UK

Lincoln Cathedral

Admire the stunning Gothic architecture of Lincoln Cathedral, once the tallest building in the world. Its impressive towers and intricate designs are just a short walk from Lincoln station on EMR.

Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral

The City of Caves

Explore the ancient City of Caves beneath Nottingham, uncovering centuries of history hidden underground. The attraction is conveniently located near Nottingham station and easily accessible by EMR trains.

City of Caves
City of Caves

The National Tramway Museum – Crich Tramway Village

Step back at the National Tramway Museum in Crich, where you can ride vintage trams and explore historic buildings. Access this nostalgic village via the nearby Whatstandwell station on the EMR network.

The National Tramway Museum

National Space Centre

Blast off to the National Space Centre in Leicester for an out-of-this-world experience. Discover rockets, planets, and space missions. The center is a short bus ride from Leicester station on EMR.

National Space Centre
National Space Centre
National Space Centre UK

Charnwood Forest Alpacas

Meet and walk with adorable alpacas in the scenic Charnwood Forest. Perfect for animal lovers, this experience is near Loughborough station on the EMR network and offers a delightful countryside escape.

Conclusion

 East Midland Railways isn’t just about getting from A to B; it’s a journey into adventure, history, and community. Reliable for commuters and business travelers, it’s a trusted routine. Leisure travelers enjoy scenic routes, making the journey enjoyable. Cost-effective for short trips compared to driving, it’s a preferred choice. Despite some regional routes being slower, trains are perceived as faster and more reliable than driving. Used for leisure and necessity, East Midland Railways offers a journey full of possibilities for all kinds of travelers.

FAQs

What is the top speed of the East Midlands Railway?

The top speed of East Midlands Railway trains is 125 mph for Intercity services and 100 mph for EMR Connect services.

Which are the main junction stations on East Midland Railway?

The main junction stations in the East Midlands Railway are Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Bedford. These stations connect key routes and facilitate efficient regional and intercity travel.

What are the Main Terminal Stations in East Midland Railway?

The main terminal stations for East Midlands Railway are London St Pancras International, Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester, serving as critical endpoints for EMR services.

Who owns East Midlands Railway?

East Midlands Railway is owned by Abellio, a Dutch state-owned rail company Nederlandse Spoorwegen subsidiary, which operates the franchise until August 2027.

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