Press releases

Rail passengers on Arriva Trains Wales South Wales routes will be seeing major improvements in the appearance of their trains next week as the first of the company's Class 150 commuter trains will enter service following major refurbishment.

The fleet overhaul is part of an ongoing programme of carriage refurbishment and upgrading that will take place throughout 2006.

The changes to valley and Cardiff local line trains will mean:

• brand new airline style seats with pop down tables, arm rests and more leg room
• seating arrangements where families can sit together
• refurbished toilets
• new seat covers in green, grey, burgundy and turquoise
• new panelling and flooring
• end of carriage panels depicting Welsh castles
• priority seating for disabled customers.

Gillian Bell , Head of Marketing for Arriva Train Wales, said:

We're very pleased with our new-look trains which will be far more comfortable and better designed for our customers. This is part of a major fleet refurbishment and train branding programme which Arriva Trains Wales will be undertaking over the coming year.

She continued:

The makeovers will mean that our trains will be in Arriva colours and branding, both inside and outside, for the first time since we took over the responsibility for running train services in Wales two years ago.

In total, 13 trains will be refurbished over the next few months. It takes 13 technicians - carpenters, welders, painters and electricians - nine days to do the makeover, which takes place at Arriva's train depot in Canton , Cardiff . Arriva plans to introduce a refurbished train into service every two weeks.

Notes to editors

The first refurbished train to enter service will be unit number 150285.

• Photographs: a newly refurbished Class 150 commuter train (unit number 150208)
• For background information on Arriva Trains Wales visit arrivatrainswales.co.uk