The first of TPE's new trains enters production

Production is underway

The first new TransPennine Express (TPE) train has entered into production.

The intercity rail operator for the North and Scotland has started production on the first of 66 body shells for 13-five carriage Mark 5A Coaches. The first one should be finished in 2018.

Each train will contain 287 seats and will operate on the company’s North route which runs between Liverpool, Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, York and Scarborough as well as Newcastle.

From 2019, the trains will also run to and from Middlesbrough.

Between 2018 and 2020, TPE will introduce three new train fleets, comprising of 13 five carriage Mark 5A coaches and 12 five carriage Class 397 ‘Civity’ electric trains, built by CAF and 19 five carriage Class 802 bi-mode trains which will be built in County Durham by Hitachi Rail Europe.

TPE will deliver an investment of more than £500m over the next three and half years in 44 brand new, state of the art trains which will create 13 million extra seats across the North and into Scotland.