Date: 03/12/2013

THE first of 10 class 350/4 emus has been delivered by Siemens to First TransPennine Express for operation between Manchester and Glasgow and Edinburgh. The four-car trains will start to replace three-car dmus on the route on December 30 following completion of electrification at 25kV ac between Manchester and the junction with the West Coast Main Line at Newton Le Willows. Each train will have 210 seats in standard class and 19 in first class. Although the trains are designed for operation at 177km/h, they will be restricted to 160km/h so journey times between Manchester and Scotland will not be reduced significantly. All 10 trains will be in service in time for the start of the summer timetable in May 2014 when the number of trains on the route will be increased from 15 to 19 per day.

External links

Delivery starts of TransPennine electric trains - International Railway Journal

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Related images

Brand new TPE 350401 is trial running between Crewe and Carnforth, prior to the introduction of the class on Glasgow/Edinburgh to Manchester Airport services. The as yet unbranded EMU is seen at Woodacre on one of these runs. Many TPE services are being diverted via Wigan, Parkside and the newly electrified L&M from the new December timetable but will run with diesel 185 units while the new 350/4s are progressively introduced.
Location: Woodacre Crossing
Company: Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
28/11/2013 Mark Bartlett

Grab shot of newly delivered TransPennine Express 350401 heading north approaching Winsford Station on 14 November. Initially mistaken for a standard London Midland unit,this is in fact the first of a fleet of ten 4 car sets, sub leased from London Midland for TPE west coast services between Manchester and Scotland.
Location: Winsford
Company: Grand Junction Railway
14/11/2013 David Pesterfield