Northern is to introduce 37 refurbished Class 350 trains on Manchester and North West routes, bringing air conditioning, more carriages and extra luggage space as older Class 323 units are replaced, the operator said.

In a statement dated 8 October 2026, Northern said the fleet will undergo a £25m improvement programme before entering service, with the Class 350s beginning to replace Class 323s from early 2028. Around five trains are expected in passenger service from early 2028, with further units arriving over the following two years. Refurbishment work is scheduled from October 2027 to February 2029, delivered by Siemens Mobility and funded by rolling-stock owner Porterbrook.

Northern says many of the newer trains will also offer at-seat power points on North West routes for the first time, plus Variable Rate Sander technology that can cut stopping distances in slippery autumn and winter conditions. The Class 350s are planned to enter service in Great British Railways branding and will be maintained from Siemens’ Ardwick depot in Manchester after modification work in Northampton.

Managing director Tricia Williams said the trains are “much newer than the trains they are replacing” and will offer “air conditioning, more carriages, more space and a more pleasant environment”. Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy called the cascade “another step” in improving reliability and comfort for passengers across Manchester and the North West, alongside the longer-term plan for up to 450 brand-new Northern trains from around 2030.

Sources: Northern. This article was produced with the help of AI tools and checked by an editor against the sources above.