TPE's milestone for Class 185 fleet
posted on 7th Apr 2026 07:01
TransPennine Express has marked 20 years of its Class 185 trains, travelling almost 290 million km – the equivalent of circling the earth more than 7,200 times.
The event, held on 16 March 2026, brought together colleagues and industry partners to celebrate the role the Class 185 fleet has played in transforming journeys between major towns and cities across the TransPennine network. The fleet first entered service on 14 March 2006, introducing modern 160 km/h diesel trains to the TransPennine network and helping transform journeys across the North and has carried millions of customers across the region.
The event gave guests a behind-the-scenes look at the Ardwick depot where Class 185 trains are maintained, including guided tours of engineering facilities and the chance to see the work carried out by teams who keep the fleet running. Visitors also had the chance to see some of the specialist equipment used by engineers and explore the driver simulators that support driver training across the network
Paul Staples, Engineering, Safety and Sustainability Director at TPE, said: “Reaching 20 years of service for our Class 185 fleet is an immense milestone and a testament to the dedication of the many colleagues at TPE, Siemens and Beacon Rail who keep these trains running for our customers every day.
Today, the trains serve 66 stations and have called at more than 100 stations across the network over the past two decades. The fleet has also earned a strong reputation for reliability. In 2025, it was named Most Reliable First Generation New DMU at the Golden Spanner Awards for the tenth time, recognising the work of engineers, drivers and technicians who keep the trains performing at a high standard.
Alongside the anniversary, the fleet is also undergoing a refresh programme. A deep clean launched in autumn 2025 is giving every carriage a full interior clean, including removing seats and tables to thoroughly clean carpets and upholstery.
