Grand Central - which runs trains in Milton Keynes - invests £21million

The coaches are currently undergoing a £1.5million refurbishment at Alstom in Widnes, which will include Grand Central livery.

Each of the trains running along the North West to London route will include First Class carriages, free wi-fi throughout, buffet, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. There will also be wheelchair and priority seating available.

These electric, non-tilting trains, will run along the North West – London Euston route, as well as other cleared routes between Milton Keynes and London when diversions are needed.

Paul Batty, fleet project manager for Grand Central, said: “We are incredibly proud of the work that has been done to bring our new fleet of rolling stock to fruition, starting with our first locomotive ready to begin driver training in a couple of weeks’ time. It’s taken a lot of planning and a considerable team effort to get to this stage and it’s fantastic that our customers will soon be able to see our refurbished Grand Central trains in operation.”

Grand Central currently operates direct trains between towns and cities in Yorkshire and the North East of England and London. It will operate up to five new direct train services between Blackpool North and London Euston every day of the week. All trains will also call at Preston and Nuneaton, with most stopping additionally at Milton Keynes.