No more standing in the commute? Cash injection sees rail service into the capital improved

Commuters can expect more frequent and improved rail travel into the capital following a £62million investment in new trains.
London Midland's new fleet of trains is launchedLondon Midland's new fleet of trains is launched
London Midland's new fleet of trains is launched

The fleet of brand new electric trains on the London Midland route from the midlands into London – passing through Dacorum stations on its way – will provide thousands of extra seats for passengers.

The new carriages are being provided by London Midland, Siemens and Angel Trains, following a huge cash injection from the government Department for Transport.

Although the 10 new Class 350/3 Desiro units are due to enter service from December, some of the new trains will be brought into service more than two months early, from this weel.

The trains will be used to lengthen some of the busiest morning and evening peak services into and out of London Euston, before the new winter timetable comes into effect on Sunday, December 14.

Three morning services, including the 6.18am Northampton to London Euston, the 7.15am Bletchley to London Euston and the 8.26am Tring to London Euston, will all be extended from the current eight-car formation to 12 cars – providing a total of 690 seats on each service.

The 3.49pm London Euston to Northampton service will increase from four cars to eight, providing an extra 230 seats and the 6.29pm service between the same destinations will now be a 12-car formation.

Rail minister Claire Perry said: “As part of our long-term economic plan, we are investing record amounts in transforming the rail network, providing more seats, more trains and better journeys for millions of passengers. Over the next five years, more than £38bn will be invested in building a world-class railway across the country.

“It is fantastic news that London Midland’s customers will start to enjoy this much-needed extra capacity earlier than expected, and I am looking forward to seeing the remaining trains start running from December.”

All standard class saloons in the new trains will benefit from plug socket and more on-board litterbins and two-plus-two seating.