June 21, 2019 5.13 pm This story is over 63 months old

New franchise promises fresh look and more seats for Lincoln trains

A new rail operator has promised 80% more Lincoln seats
Stagecoach has been taken over.

Lincoln trains will get a brand new look and more seats as a new firm prepares to take over the East Midlands line.

As previously reported, Abellio won the contract to run the line and take over from Stagecoach from August.

When the Dutch firm takes over, all of the existing trains will be replaced by a cleaner fleet with a new lavender look.

The introduction of the East Midlands Railway identity will start with a new website before trains are rebranded after 2020.

Here’s what the trains will look like.

Stewart Fox-Mills, Abellio’s Commercial Director, said: “We are investing £600 million on improving the railway across the East Midlands.

“This will include a striking new and durable brand for our new East Midlands Railway.

“It is the first demonstration of our commitment to deliver a long-term step change in the quality of rail service in the East Midlands.”

How will your line change?

Each of the new services will benefit from more modern trains. Changes and improvements are as follows:

Nottingham – Lincoln – Grimsby:

There will be a new hourly service from Nottingham to Grimsby, with a limited extension to Cleethorpes.

They will be extending the hours for two trains per hour between Nottingham and Newark Castle.

A new Sunday service will be introduced between Lincoln and Grimsby.

Peterborough – Lincoln – Doncaster: 

A new hourly service will be introduced from Lincoln to Doncaster from December 2021.

The Lincoln and Doncaster line will get a new service on Sunday.

Lincoln – London: 

The Lincoln to London St Pancras line will now see two trains per day pass through each way.

There will be increased capacity between Nottingham and Lincoln at peak times.

A new 125 miles per hour will be put into service from April 2020 with tables at every seat.

Newark North Gate – Lincoln: 

Limited early morning services will continue to operate to and from Cleethorpes.

A new hourly service will be introduced between Lincoln and Newark North Gate when passenger join the London service.