TransPennine Express (TPE) will retrofit its entire Class 185 diesel fleet with the European Train Control System (ETCS), bringing advanced in-cab digital signalling to one of Britain’s busiest inter-city corridors. The work forms a cornerstone of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which is improving capacity and performance between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
Legacy lineside signals restrict throughput and hamper recovery after disruption. ETCS transmits continuous, real-time speed and braking instructions directly to the driver, allowing trains to run safely at tighter headways. For operators this translates into:
- Increased capacity – closer train spacing without compromising safety.
- Improved punctuality – automated speed supervision minimises reaction times after perturbations.
- Higher safety margins – constant monitoring of train position and velocity reduces the risk of human-factor incidents.
- Reduced maintenance – fewer trackside assets lower failure rates and engineering-access requirements.
Network Rail plans to deploy Level 2 ETCS across the core Transpennine route later this decade; TPE’s onboard fitment ensures its fleet is ready when the infrastructure comes online.
The ETCS hardware and software will be installed by Siemens Mobility at its Ardwick depot in Manchester, working under a turnkey package with fleet owner Eversholt Rail. The programme is supported by the latest TRU funding tranche: in March 2025 the Department for Transport released an additional £415 million to accelerate digital signalling and other route enhancements.
Chris Nutton, TRU & Major Projects Director, TPE
“Upgrading the Class 185s to ETCS is a decisive step toward a safer, more reliable railway. It aligns perfectly with the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade and our commitment to long-term customer benefits.”
Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO and Managing Director, Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland
“Integrating ETCS will enhance journey quality across the North and reflects our mission to transform rail travel.”
Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director, Eversholt Rail
“ETCS roll-out on the Class 185 fleet is integral to TRU and we are pleased to deliver it in partnership with TPE and Siemens.”
Preparation and design work are under way; physical installation will be scheduled around routine maintenance intervals to limit downtime. TPE will confirm an operational “switch-on” date once route infrastructure and driver training programmes are aligned. ETCS deployment on the Class 185s is expected to be completed before full digital signalling goes live on the Manchester–York corridor.
Britain’s main-line digital transformation is accelerating as operators across the East Coast Main Line, Thameslink and now the Transpennine route adopt ETCS. By equipping the Class 185s—still a mainstay of northern inter-city services—TPE ensures fleet compatibility, avoids obsolescence and supports future capacity uplifts without the need for new rolling stock.
