TransPennine Express

TransPennine Express is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates regular regional services in the north of England. The franchise has been granted for eight years to a joint operation by First Group and Keolis, with an optional extension of five years. It was created by moving the long-distance routes previously operated by Arriva Trains Northern into a separate franchise.

Launched on 1 February 2004, its services are split into three routes:

• North TransPennine – services run from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Middlesbrough, Scarborough and Hull, via Leeds and Huddersfield, to Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street
• South TransPennine – services run from Cleethorpes and Grimsby, via Scunthorpe, Doncaster and Sheffield, to Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport
• North West – services from Windermere, Kendal and Barrow-in-Furness, via Lancaster, Preston and Bolton, to Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport

TransPennine Express is one of the few train operating companies in the UK running 24 hours a day. For example, trains run between Leeds and Manchester Airport at least every two hours every night of the week.

The franchise is operated with Class 158 diesel multiple units, with newer Class 175 and Class 185 units being phased in to replace them.

External Links

• Official website
• Photographs of TransPennine Express trains from freefoto.com