Metro and Northern unveiled a new look for the Class 155 fleet that mainly operates on the Caldervale line between Leeds and Manchester Victoria and the Class 321 fleet, which runs between Leeds and Doncaster on 14 November 2006 in an event at Leeds.

Operational since 1988, the fleet of seven two-car Class 155 units is undergoing a makeover at Leeds Neville Hill depot to improve the journey experience for passengers.

The £671,000 programme, jointly funded by Northern and Metro is providing:
* new flooring
* refurbished seating
* new interior panel coatings
* enlarged wheelchair space
* improvements to toilet areas

In addition to the new look interior, the exterior is being repainted in Northern livery with joint branding and panels depicting scenes from Yorkshire. Two trains have completed their refurbishment, with the remainder due to be complete by summer 2007.

Malcolm Brown said: “Our partnership with Metro, and with HSBC Rail (in the case of the 321 fleet), has enabled us to deliver real improvements on these trains creating a much more passenger friendly and comfortable environment.
Metro is committed to making public transport an attractive choice,” said Metro Chairman Cllr Stanley King, “and these refurbishment programmes are good examples of the way we work with our partners to deliver real benefits for
passengers, encouraging growth in passenger numbers and at the same time relieving congestion.”

Not to be outdone, the Class 321 fleet, which operates between Leeds and Doncaster is also getting a smart new £894,000 look courtesy of Metro, HSBC Rail and Northern. The three four-car units will sport a new red coat with Metro and Northern branding. The overhaul work has been carried out by Hunslet-Barclay of Kilmarnock. On the inside-
* a new passenger information system and CCTV is being installed
* seating is being refurbished
* bicycle and wheelchair areas are being improved
* new draught screens and grab poles are being fitted

When the passenger information system was being designed a competition was held to find the ‘Voice of Northern’ to record the stations for announcements. Maureen McDonnell, a conductor based at Huddersfield, was the winner, her gentle tones announce all stations for passengers.

Peter Aldridge, Head of HSBC Rail said: “This refurbishment programme draws on the experience we have gained across our Class 321 fleet and is a positive step in transforming the quality of rail travel on Northern’s network. The success of this project is due to the excellent working partnership built between Metro, Northern and ourselves.”