The TransPennine Class 185 fleet operated by First TransPennine Express, built and maintained by Siemens Transportation Systems and owned by HSBC Rail, has at the end of November 2007 achieved 10 million miles in passenger service.

The £250m fleet was brought into service in March 2006 and is maintained at purpose built Siemens train care facilities in Ardwick and York. Each of the 51 trains typically travel 185,000 miles each every year across a network stretching from Liverpool in the Northwest to Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the Northeast.

From 9 December the Class 185 fleet, which received a 95% passenger satisfaction rate in the most recent National Passenger Survey, will also be serving First TransPennine Express’ extended North West route. This includes four new services every weekday between Manchester and Edinburgh and three services every weekday between Manchester and Glasgow.

Nick Donovan, engineering director at First TransPennine Express said: “This fleet has gone from strength to strength since its introduction in March 2006. It is popular with our customers and gives us a perfect platform from which to deliver great service every day.”

As the first diesel variant of the proven Siemens Desiro electric train, the 100mph Pennine Class 185 was built in Germany by Siemens and features air conditioning for passengers and crew comfort, intercity train quality seating including a first class section, on board security cameras and easier access for disabled passengers.

Pete Redding, fleet manager for Siemens, said. “The Pennine Class 185 fleet is a hard working fleet with a higher than average moving annual average reliability so hitting 10 million miles in passenger service combined with improving performance is an important landmark. Siemens is committed to keeping the fleet running smoothly by providing first class maintenance facilities and by focusing on continuous improvement to ensure the Class 185s are as good as they possibly can be – particularly as the fleet moves into the next phase of its service life with First TransPennine Express’ new services to Scotland. "