Rail passengers are being offered the chance to experience new Greater Anglia trains through virtual reality.

Eastern Daily Press: Greater Anglia is giving people the chance to experience its brand new trains through virtual reality. Picture: Greater AngliaGreater Anglia is giving people the chance to experience its brand new trains through virtual reality. Picture: Greater Anglia (Image: Archant)

The company is replacing every train with brand new ones that will start to come into service from 2019.

All interested parties are invited to stations across the network to step on board one of the new trains via a virtual reality headset.

They will even be able to sit down in one of the new seats and feel like they are on board a new train.

Through the headset, participants will be able to walk onto a station platform where three of the new trains will be parked – a Bombardier and two Stadlers.

The Bombardier will replace commuter trains which run to Liverpool Street from Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridge and Ipswich.

The Stadlers will be replace trains on the Intercity, Stansted Express and rural lines.

Once 'on board' people will be able to look around them to see the new seats, carpet, finishings, large picture windows and even visit the toilet.

They will be able to check out accessibility arrangements, walk up to the 'bistro' on the Intercity and walk through the airy carriages.

The #GAVirtual virtual reality experience dates and locations are:

• November 17, Norwich, 6.45am to 11.15am

• November 23, Cambridge, 6.45am to 11.15am

• December 1, Broxbourne, 6.45am to 11.15am

• December 8, Liverpool Street, 6.45am to 11.15am

• December 15, Southend, 6.45am to 11.15am

• December 19, Chelmsford, 9.00am to 1pm

• December 21, Colchester, 6.45am to 11.15am

Mike Kean, Greater Anglia Deputy Managing Director, said: 'We're spending £1.4b on brand new trains to replace every single train on our network.

'It's going to transform rail travel in East Anglia.

'We're really excited about it and we're confident that when people experience our new trains through virtual reality they'll be looking forward to their arrival as much as we are.'

Greater Anglia has involved customers, stakeholders including rail user groups and accessibility groups, in choosing the design of the new trains, which will be fitted with free wifi, air conditioning, and plug and USB sockets.