New Diesel Depot

[locojoe]

Duke of York opens £10m TransPennine Express diesel depot
Posted 14 May 2007 10:02



The Duke of York has opened a £10 million depot for the maintenance of First TransPennine Express diesel trains. Prince Andrew was given a tour of the new Siemens operated depot in York on Thursday 10 May, meeting and talking to staff.

The opening of the facility marks the final phase in the £260 million introduction of the fleet of 51, three-car, Class 185 diesel Pennine Desiro trains.

The depot will support Siemens' larger £30 million fleet maintenance facility in Ardwick, Manchester, which was opened in 2006.

More than 150 jobs have been created at both depots, which maintain trains that typically travel 185,000 miles every year across a network stretching from Liverpool in the north west to Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the north east.

Vernon Barker, managing director of First TransPennine Express, said: "Our customers and staff are already telling us how delighted they are with the Pennine Class 185s and the depot will help us to maintain these high standards.

"This is a major investment for transport in the north of England and the increase in the number of passengers using our trains indicates that more people are choosing to travel by rail."

The introduction of the Pennine Class 185 fleet has transformed the First TransPennine Express network and 95 per cent of passengers prefer the 185s to previous units. The project is the culmination of a partnership between the government, fleet owner HSBC Rail, train manufacturer and maintainer Siemens Transportation Systems and service operator First TransPennine Express.

Alan Wood, chief executive of Siemens UK, said: "By providing the infrastructure to offer a reliable, high-quality rail service, we help our customers attract passengers, reducing the road congestion that can cripple our economy and damage the environment in which we live and work."

HSBC Rail has financed the building of the trains, which will be leased to First TransPennine Express during its eight year franchise. As the first diesel variant of the proven Siemens Desiro electric train, the Pennine Class 185 was built in Germany by Siemens and features air conditioning for passengers and crew, intercity train seating, including a first class section, on board security cameras and easier access for disabled passengers.

The depot in York is the fifth facility built in the UK by Siemens Transportation Systems, which includes depots at Northampton, Acton in West London, Northam in Southampton and Ardwick in Manchester.
Alan Locojoe