IT'S been a long, hard summer for thousands of commuters in East Lancashire, but things could be about to change with the introduction of a new fleet of trains which are due to enter service by the end of the year.

Overcrowding, broken-down trains and hundreds of cancellations are just some of the issues that train-users have faced over the past five months as timetable changes and late-running engineering work devastated parts of the rail network.

But now Northern have unveiled the first two trains in a £500m fleet which they say will set new standards for customers in the North.

The new trains, which will have free Wi-Fi and air conditioning, are set to be an upgrade on ones currently in use, some of which are over 30 years old.

David Brown, Northern’s managing director, said: “I was lucky enough to see the trains in production in Spain earlier in the year, but it's even better to see them here in Liverpool – just weeks away from entering passenger service.

“The quality of what has been delivered is a real landmark for Northern and our customers, and to be able to demonstrate that quality to colleagues and stakeholders today is an incredibly proud moment for me.”

Northern Powerhouse minister and Darwen MP Jake Berry was also keen to praise the new fleet.

He said: “These spacious, comfortable and modern trains are a clear demonstration of both the Government and train operators' commitment to the Northern Powerhouse and putting passengers at the heart of everything we do.

“We are investing in the biggest modernisation of our rail network since Victorian times, ensuring people receive the faster, more reliable and more frequent services they deserve.

“Over the next few months we will see these brand new, state-of-the-art trains start to replace the outdated Pacer trains, providing more seats and better journeys for passengers across the Northern Powerhouse.”

The new trains are part of the improvements Northern is making to transform its customers’ rail experience.

Last month Northern launched its first fully refurbished train – a Class 158 - which boasts many of the same features as the new trains and will be the blueprint for the refurbishment of the rest of the Northern fleet.

And the train enhancements will continue to be complemented by further investment such as an increase in services and improvements at more than 400 Northern stations.