From Thursday 7 December 2006, passengers travelling on TransPennine Express services across the North West will have their first chance to travel aboard Class 185s, as part of a £250 million investment in rail travel for the North.

A fleet of 51 Class 185s have been purpose-built for the TransPennine Express network to transform the quality of service, improve reliability and offer passengers the most modern on-train environment.

The Pennine Class 185 is the first diesel version of the proven Siemens Desiro electric train design. The trains have air conditioning, intercity train quality seating, including a first class section, on-board security cameras and easier access for disabled people. There is space for two wheelchairs and a wheelchair accessible toilet. A new global positioning information system will keep passengers up to date throughout their journey.

Equipped with three Cummins diesel engines, the trains have excellent hill-climbing abilities and much improved reliability.

Vernon Barker, managing director of TransPennine Express says: “These new trains are real evidence of significant investment in transport in the north of England providing a real boost to passenger travel. Passengers will be travelling aboard modern, more spacious and reliable trains built to modern day standards.”

TransPennine Express runs frequent services from Windermere, Barrow in Furness and Blackpool North via Preston and Bolton to Manchester Airport. The new trains will be progressively introduced over the next few weeks and
the full fleet is due to be in service by the end of January 2007. Deployment of the Class 185 trains in the North West will complete the three-stage introduction of the new fleet. The first new train entered service in March 2006 on the North TransPennine route between Hull, Leeds and Manchester Piccadilly. Services between Manchester Airport, Sheffield and Cleethorpes switched to Class 185 operation in July 2006.