A BRAND-NEW fleet of trains are set to be introduced by an operating company serving Herefordshire.

The Class 196 is the first new fleet to be introduced to the West Midlands Railway (WMR) franchise for more than a decade and is part of its £690m investment in new trains and infrastructure.

The trains are due to enter service on the Hereford line next year, connecting Birmingham with the county and destinations including Ledbury, Malvern and Worcester.

The fleet will run first on the Shrewsbury to Birmingham line. Initially a small number of journeys will be run by Class 196's as the new trains are drip-fed into service over coming months.

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A spokesperson said that the company have included little things that it hopes will improve passenger's journeys, such as phone charging on the go, better seats, and back tables at every seat.

The trains will also offer 25 per cent more capacity than the fleet they replace.

The train was introduced on the Shrewsbury to Birmingham line on Monday October 17.

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Jonny Wiseman, WMR customer experience director, said: "I am delighted to see our Class 196 trains carrying passengers for the first time.

"With smart air conditioning, power points at every seat and extra space on board, I am certain these trains will prove a hit with passengers."