First TransPennine Express

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"Delivering great service every day"

Introduction


TransPennine Express (FTPE) is a train company which offers a fast, frequent and superior service. With services from Glasgow & Edinburgh to Manchester Airport, Scarborough to Liverpool and over 75 stations in between TransPennine Express have the North of England covered.

An investment programme of over £260m is currently under way bringing high-quality intercity rolling stock, new depots and substantial improvements to our 30 stations and most importantly through the development of our people.

Anglo-Scottish Services


TPE took over the running of Manchester to Scotland services from Virgin Cross Country on 9th December 2007. The services follow a similar stopping pattern and run to almost the exact same time but are instead formed by smaller 3-car Class 185 Pennine Desiro units. The diagrams for the Scottish services interwork with services on their north west route. Certain morning & evening journeys into and out of Scotland are worked by Mossend/Oxwellmains based Freightliner Heavy Haul drivers.

Parent Company


TransPennine Express is:
100% owned by French Transport provider Kelios

Services


TPE's services are as follows:

Cumbria & Scotland
  • Manchester Airport - Barrow-in-Furness/Windermere
  • Manchester Airport - Glasgow Central/Edinburgh Waverley

Blackpool
  • Manchester Airport - Blackpool North

North TransPennine:
  • Manchester Airport - Newcastle/Middlesborough/Scarborough
  • Manchester Piccadily - Hull
  • Liverpool Lime Street - Newcastle/Scarborough
  • Scarborough - York

South TransPennine:
  • Manchester Airport - Cleethorpes

Timetable


The TPE Scotland Timetable is avaliable at:

www.tpexpress.co.uk/media/185035/11.pdf


Rolling Stock


Fleet

51 x 3-car Class 185 Pennine units
9 x 2-car Class 170 Turbostar units used between Manchester Picc and Hull

The Pennine 185 fleet is based at Manchester Ardwick depot, just outside Manchester Picc. There is also a light maintenence depot at York and Cleethorpes for re-fuelling.

All cleaning and emptying of toilet retention tanks in Scotland is carried out by ScotRail. Two Class 185s stable overnight at Corkerhill Depot whilst one Class 185 stables in Edinburgh, usually in Platform 0 at Haymarket, prior to working the following days 0536 to MIA. Station Departures from Glasgow and Edinburgh are done by First Group employees.


On-board service


Catering

Through close partnership with Skytrac (Rail) Solutions, TPE provides an extensive and cost effective catering service. A catering menu can be found on the company's website: www.tpexpress.co.uk. These facilities are provided via an at seat trolley service, serving a large selection of hot and cold drinks, crisps, cakes, light snacks, confectionery as well a large selection of alcoholic beverages. Upon the introduction of TPE services into Scotland, catering depots were set up at both Edinburgh & Glasgow however in late 2012, the Glasgow depot was closed in favour of lodging Manchester based hosts in Glasgow overnight.

All TPE Catering Staff are employed and supplied by Skytrac (Rail) Solutions.

As part of the Service Specification, catering facilities must be available on all services to and from Scotland, unlike other routes on the TPE network.


1st Class

TPE's first class has been upgraded significantly since the introduction of the Class 185s. If travelling 1st class, customers will receive complimentary tea/coffee/water plus a small snack appropriate to the time of travel. Customers travelling prior to 11am will receive Porridge along with their drink & snack. Customers travelling after 11am will receive a complimentary Egg Mayonaise/Cheese Savoury roll as well as a choice of soup along with their drink & snack.

The weekend provision differs slightly. Instead of a choice of snack and a roll, customers are provided with a small snack box, again appropriate to the time of day. The morning snack box consists of Dried Cranberries, Croissant & Jam and an almond snack bar whereas the all day snack box consists of a Flapjack, Crackers & Cheese, Dark Chocolate, a Caramelised biscuit and pretzels.

These are issued once to each passengers at the start of their journey along with a drink of their choosing.

There are power sockets available at all seats along with reclining seats and large tables aligned with windows.

Address


Customer Relations:
TransPennine Express,
ADMAIL 3878,
FREEPOST,
MANCHESTER,
M1 9YB

See Also

External Links

The New Look TransPennine Express website has now launched: