THE FIRST of hundreds of fully refurbished train has entered service in the North West with a debut journey through Bolton.

Train firm Northern launched its new revamped Class 150 train on a trip between Rochdale and Blackburn, calling at Manchester Victoria and Bolton.

It is one of 243 trains which are currently being improved or have already been refurbished which will enter service across the North over the next several months.

The new Class 150 now has free wifi, power sockets and real-time passenger information systems as well as better seats and lighting.

Ben Ackroyd, Engineering Director at Northern said: “The digital improvements to our trains represent an upgrade in the quality of train currently serving this area of Northern’s network.

"It provides a first look at some of the features we are installing on all our trains, providing a really high standard of on-board customer experience.”

The launch of this train into service is part of Northern’s refurbishment programme as the company aims to improve all 243 of its existing trains.