TransPennine Express (TPE) is set to upgrade its fleet of Class 185 trains with the European Train Control System (ETCS), a digital signalling technology designed to enhance safety, reliability, and long-term performance.
The work, part of the broader Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), will be planned in advance, with the timeline for ETCS deployment to be confirmed later.
Replacing traditional lineside signals, ETCS delivers real-time data on train speed and braking directly to drivers’ cabs. The system enables trains to operate closer together without compromising safety, allowing for increased capacity and more frequent services.
ETCS will also support more effective recovery from disruptions, reduce maintenance issues, and lessen the need for engineering works.
This upgrade is part of a wider investment in the TRU, which aims to improve rail connections across Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. In March 2025, the government announced an additional £415 million in funding for the programme, including support for ETCS implementation.
“The introduction of ETCS on our Class 185 fleet will represent a major step forward for rail travel. This technology will not only enhance safety and reliability but also support the broader Transpennine Route Upgrade,” Chris Nutton, TRU & Major Projects Director at TPE, said.
The work will be carried out at Siemens Mobility’s Ardwick depot in partnership with Eversholt Rail, the owners of TPE’s Class 185 trains. The British Rail Class 185 Desiro is a class of diesel-hydraulic multiple-unit (DHMU) passenger trains built by Siemens.
“We are pleased to be working with TransPennine Express and Eversholt Rail to enhance passenger journeys, upgrading our Class 185 fleet with ETCS,” Sambit Banerjee of Siemens Mobility UK&I said.
Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail, added: “Roll out of ETCS on the Class 185 is a key part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade and we are pleased to be a part of this significant project.”
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