British Rail Class 185

The British Rail Class 185 Desiro is a class of diesel-hydraulic multiple-unit (DHMU) passenger trains built by Siemens Transportation Systems in Germany for the train operating company First TransPennine Express. They are currently operated by TransPennine Express.[14]

British Rail Class 185
Desiro
A three-car Class 185 unit in TransPennine Express colours at Doncaster station
TransPennine Express Class 185 at Doncaster in 2017
Class 185 refurbished standard-class interior
Refurbished standard-class interior
In serviceMarch 2006 – present[1]
ManufacturerSiemens Transportation Systems
Built atKrefeld, Germany[2]
Family nameDesiro
Replaced
Constructed2005–2006[4]
Entered service2006
Refurbished2017
Number built51[5]
Formation3 cars per unit: DMOSB-MOSL-DMOCLW
Fleet numbers185101–185151[5]
Capacity169 seats (15 first, 154 standard) plus 12 tip-up
Owner(s)Eversholt Rail Group
Operator(s)TransPennine Express
Depot(s)
Line(s) served
  • TransPennine North Route
  • TransPennine South Route
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium[6]
Train length71.276 m (233 ft 10.1 in)
Car length23.763 m (77 ft 11.6 in)
Width2.673 m (8 ft 9.2 in)[6]
Height3.710 m (12 ft 2.1 in)
Floor height1.247 m (4 ft 1.1 in)
DoorsDouble-leaf sliding plug (2 per side per car)
WheelbaseBogies: 2.600 m (8 ft 6.4 in)[7]
Maximum speed100 mph (160 km/h)
WeightApprox. 168.5 t (165.8 long tons; 185.7 short tons)
Axle load18.5 t (18.2 long tons; 20.4 short tons) max.
Prime mover(s)3 × Cummins QSK19-R[6] (one per car)
Engine typeInline-6 turbo-diesel[8]
Displacement19 L (1,159 cu in) per engine[8]
Power output
  • 1,683 kW (2,257 hp) at 2100 rpm
  • (561 kW (752 hp) per engine)[9]
TransmissionVoith T 312 bre
(hydrokinetic,[10] one per car)
Acceleration0.49 m/s2 (1.6 ft/s2)[11]
UIC classification2′B′+B′2′+B′2′
BogiesSiemens SGP SF5000
Minimum turning radius120 m (393 ft 8 in)[7]
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (disc) plus hydraulic retarder
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemDellner 12[12]
Multiple workingWithin class
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
Sourced from [13] except where otherwise noted

A £260 million order for 51 three-car trains and associated maintenance depots was placed in 2003, and deliveries took place between 2006 and 2007.

Background and history
Class 185 at York in First TransPennine Express Dynamic Lines livery

In 2003, First TransPennine Express (FTPE), a consortium of FirstGroup and Keolis, was awarded the TransPennine Express (TPE) franchise.[15][16] One obligation under the franchise agreement was to introduce a new fleet of diesel multiple units, capable of operating at speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h).[17] Also specified was air conditioning, two toilets per vehicle with one suitable for reduced-mobility passengers, gangways between individual carriages, luggage and bicycle storage space, passenger compartment CCTV, provision for wheelchair passengers, and first-class seating.[17] Additionally, the train's acceleration was to be an improvement on the Class 158, and comparable to the Class 180. The agreement specified 168 carriages, with an initial option to reduce the carriage order by 18.[17]

The franchise agreement also required the construction of two depots for the new rolling stock; the main depot was to be at Manchester, with a depot for stabling and maintenance at York. In addition, a depot at Cleethorpes was to be upgraded with refuelling and controlled emission toilet servicing facilities, and a train electric auxiliary supply.[18] The franchise agreement specified a performance aim of 35,000 mi (56,000 km) per casualty,[19] with entry into service between March 2006 (first unit) and November 2006 (entire fleet).[20]

By August 2003, Siemens had been named as the preferred bidder for the trains.[21] A contract for supply and maintenance of 56 trains was signed in September 2003.[22] The new train requirement was reduced from 56 to 51 units by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) by 2004.[23]

The trains were built at Siemens' plant in Uerdingen in Krefeld; the first unit began test trials at the Wildenrath test circuit in July 2005.[6] An official launch took place at Wildenrath on 24 November 2005.[24]

Construction of the Ardwick train depot began March 2005 and was completed in 2006.[25][26] Work started on the new Leeman Road depot in York in December 2005;[27] opening followed in May 2007.[28] In 2006, FTPE acquired two static simulators for driver training from Corys TESS.[29][30]

All 51 trains were in service by January 2007. The trains replaced two and three-car Class 158 and 175 units.[31]

Design
Class 185 multiple working at York

Each vehicle carries its own powertrain, driving both axles on one of the vehicle's bogies via cardan shafts.[13] Each powertrain consists of a 561 kW (752 hp) Cummins QSK19 turbo-diesel engine driving a Voith T 312 bre three-speed hydrokinetic transmission, which in turn drives the axles via Voith SK-485 and KE-485 final drives.[32][note 1] The other bogie on each vehicle is unpowered. The engine and torque converter were frame-mounted underfloor and suspended from the car body by flexible mounts. A third underfloor module contains cooling systems and an electrical generator.[13] The transmission includes an integrated hydraulic retarder.[13] Cooling fans and the electrical generator are powered via a hydrostatic drive.[13] The electrical generator provides a 400 V 50 Hz three phase electrical supply for the train, which is transformed or rectified to a 230 V 50 Hz single phase supply, a 110 V DC auxiliary supply, and a 24 V DC battery supply. Connections bridge the main 400 V AC and 110 V DC supplies across the cars of each train set.[13] Component suppliers included Dellner (couplings), ZF (dampers), SKF (bearings), and Westinghouse Brakes (now Knorr-Bremse, braking systems).[6]

The bogies are derivatives of Siemens' SF5000 type, and were manufactured in Graz, Austria.[7] The design has an distance between each axle of 2.600 m (8 ft 6.4 in), with radial-arm primary suspension utilising steel coil springs with rubber elements; the secondary suspension is an air spring design supporting a bolster. Motor bogies have traction forces transmitted from bogie to frame via rods from a centre pivot. Mechanical brakes are wheel mounted discs.[7] The Class 185 is heavier and has a stiffer suspension than the Class 158 it replaced on some routes;[34][note 2] On some routes – including the Hope Valley Line, York to Scarborough Line, Hull to Selby Line, and between Northallerton and Middlesbrough the Class 185 units were not permitted to operate at the same speeds as Sprinter-type DMUs; however the higher acceleration of the Class 185 units could be used to partially offset the lower speed restriction.[35][36] Between Northallerton and Middlesbrough, Class 185s and Sprinters now use the same speed limits.[37]

As delivered each train consisted of three cars; one end car (DMOSB) had 64 standard class seats in [2+2] arrangement with a mixture of facing seats with tables and airline style arrangements, as well as luggage and bicycle facilities; the middle car (MOSL) had 72 standard class seats also in a mixture of arrangements in [2+2] formation, and incorporated a standard toilet; the other end car (DMOCLW) had a further 18 standard class seats, and 15 [2+1] arrangement first class seats, plus a wheelchair space, and a reduced mobility access toilet.[6][13] Toilets were supplied by Driessen, seats by Grammer and Fainsa, and air conditioning by Air International Transit.[6]

Eco-Mode

The trains were designed for the steep hills encountered on the TransPennine routes;[38] as a result the units had a high installed power, unnecessary for most of the train's route sections, leading to low fuel efficiency relative to other DMUs.[39] In mid-2007, Siemens and First TransPennine Express began a programme, named 'Eco-Mode', to improve the efficiency of the fleet. The project involved generating driver information giving route advice allowing more efficient driving, including information on when it was feasible to shut down a diesel engine, leaving the train 'cruising' on two of the three engines. Additionally fuel consumption was reduced by performing shunting using only one engine, and automating complete engine shutdown at depots. Initial changes in working practice resulted in a 7% fuel saving.[40][41][42] Furthermore, as the engines are idling less and thus operating less (engine hours reduced by two hours a day per train), their service life may be extended by 15%.[42]

Operations

TransPennine Express

The 51 three-car Class 185 units, together with nine two-car Class 170 units, replaced the Class 158 (North and South TransPennine Express routes),[43] Class 175 (routes between Manchester Airport and Blackpool / Cumbria) and Class 220 / Class 221 Voyager trains (operated by Virgin CrossCountry on routes between Manchester and Edinburgh / Glasgow).[44] To free up stock for services between Manchester Airport and destinations in Scotland when First TransPennine Express first took over these routes, the frequency of the Manchester Airport to Windermere route was reduced from December 2007.[45]

In 2014, the introduction of ten electric Class 350 units on services between Manchester and Scotland allowed the displacement of Class 170 and some Class 185 units to provide additional capacity on FTPE's network.[46] Two (originally four) Class 185 units were loaned to Arriva Rail North from April 2016 until May 2019.[47][48]

Following the introduction of the new Nova fleet in 2019 and 2020, it was originally planned and expected that 22 Class 185 units would return to Eversholt Rail Group.[49] However, in September 2019, TransPennine Express announced that it would only be returning 15, with the remaining units being required to operate diversionary services during upgrades to the TransPennine route.[50] In June 2020, TransPennine Express confirmed that the return of 15 sets would be postponed until further notice.

Overcrowding and passenger feedback
The original Class 185 standard class interior.
The original first class section of a Class 185

In 2007, Passenger Focus published a user survey on the Class 185. Satisfaction ratings of around 80% were given for many standard aspects of a train journey, such as availability of seats, seat comfort, ease of egression, cleanliness. Passengers gave satisfaction ratings of around only 70% on standing space availability. Lower averaged satisfaction ratings (~50%) were given for wheelchair space, bicycle space and for the inability to shield the sun, as well as overall design, and position and number of bins. Frequent travellers had a low level of satisfaction with toilet cleanliness.[51] The report concluded that overall users liked the new trains, but identified issues relating to peak crowding, particularly on evening peaks.[52]

By 2007, increased use of some of the First TransPennine Express services (Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds) caused the operator to start lobbying the SRA for a fourth car to the three-car sets to increase capacity; however, the service overall was subsidised, presenting a cost barrier to further rolling stock leasing.[53][54] By 2008, many of the peak-time trains operated by Class 185s on First TransPennine Express services were suffering chronic overcrowding.[55][56]

Refurbishment

In June 2017, TransPennine Express began refurbishing Class 185s as part of its franchise commitments.[57] The first unit was completed in July 2017, entering service within the same week. The refurbished trains include new seats throughout the train (including leather in First Class), standard plug and USB sockets at every pair of seats, new decor, refitted toilets, and LED lighting throughout.[58] The refurbishment was completed in 2018.[59]

Future

Following the August 2020 decision not to transfer the Liverpool Lime Street to Nottingham route from East Midlands Railway (EMR) to TransPennine Express, EMR has the option to lease these trains to prevent stock shortages on this route.[60]

Fleet details
Class Operator Quantity Year built Cars per unit Unit nos.
185 TransPennine Express 51 2005–2006 3 185101–185151

Vehicle numbering

Individual vehicles are numbered in the ranges as follows:[12]

DMOSB MOSL DMOCLW
54101–54151 53101–53151 51101–51151

Liveries
  • The class 185's first livery known as the "Barbie" livery, as seen in 2006. This was used during testing only.
    The class 185's first livery known as the "Barbie" livery, as seen in 2006. This was used during testing only.
  • The second livery carried by the class 185, First Group's "Dynamic Lines". This livery was carried from 2006 to 2016.
    The second livery carried by the class 185, First Group's "Dynamic Lines". This livery was carried from 2006 to 2016.
  • The current livery carried by the class, seen at Northallerton in September 2018.
    The current livery carried by the class, seen at Northallerton in September 2018.

Notes
  1. The same engine and transmission combination is also used for Alstom's Class 180 Coradia DMUs, and the same engine is used for Bombardier's Class 220, 221, and 222 diesel-electric multiple units.[33]
  2. Simulations of Class 185 on TransPennineExpress routes predicted a small increase in rolling contact fatigue (2 mm surface crack per four years), an increase which was not determined to be necessarily significant.[34]

References
  1. "Class 185 – First TransPennine Express". Siemens AG. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  2. "TPE '185s' to get reliability upgrade". Rail Magazine. No. 940. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 22 September 2021. p. 20.
  3. Clinnick, Richard (October 2023). "TPE confirms Nova 3 withdrawal plan". Rail Express. No. 329. p. 8.
  4. Pritchard & Hall 2013, p. 243
  5. Pritchard & Hall 2013, pp. 243–244
  6. "TransPennine Express DMU starts commissioning trials". Railway Gazette International. London: Reed Business Information. 1 September 2005. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  7. First Class Bogies (PDF) (08/08 ed.). Graz: Siemens Transportation Systems. pp. 60–61, 67. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  8. Every Track - QSK19 for Rail Applications (PDF) (09/08 ed.). Daventry: Cummins Ltd. Bulletin 4087201. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  9. Pritchard & Hall 2013, p. 242
  10. Rail Drives with Systematic Design (PDF). Heidenheim: Voith Turbo. September 2012. pp. 3, 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  11. "Class 185 Diesel Multiple Unit" (PDF) (Data sheet). London: Eversholt Rail Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  12. Marsden, C. J. (2007). "Class 185 'Desiro'". Traction Recognition. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. pp. 144–145. ISBN 978-0-7110-3277-4. OCLC 230804946. OL 16902750M.
  13. Desiro UK DMU Class 185 - Technical Information (PDF). Erlangen: Siemens Transportation Systems. 13 September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  14. "Class 185". London: Eversholt Rail Group. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  15. "SRA Announce Preferred Bidder For TransPennine Express Franchise" (PDF) (Press release). London: Department for Transport. 28 July 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2009.
  16. "New operator for Pennine route". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 31 July 2003. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  17. Strategic Rail Authority 2003, Schedule 14, Part 2, Section 2.1.b (p. 227, in work p. 532).
  18. Strategic Rail Authority 2003, Schedule 14, Part 2, Section 2.1.e (p. 228, in work p. 533).
  19. Strategic Rail Authority 2003, Schedule 14, Part 2, Section 2.3.d (p. 229 in work p. 534).
  20. Strategic Rail Authority 2003, Schedule 14, Part 2, Section 2.4.a.ii (p. 231, in work p. 536).
  21. "100mph fleet will cut rail times". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 21 August 2003. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  22. "Deal Details: £260 million procurement contract - First/Keolis Transpennine Ltd, FirstGroup plc, HSBC Rail (UK) Ltd, Keolis SA, Siemens AG". International Law Office. Globe Business Publishing. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  23. "First profits to hit expectations". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 29 March 2004. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2013. First added that its new TransPennine Express franchise had made a "good start", despite having a planned order for new trains reduced from 56 to 51 by the Strategic Rail Authority [...] A First spokesman said the figure of 56 new trains, which Siemens is building in Germany, had always been provisional
  24. "New Transpennine Fleet Launched in Germany". RailwayPeople.com. 12 December 2005. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  25. Modern Railways. Vol. 62, no. 672. Shepperton: Ian Allan Publishing. April 2005. p. 9. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. "First TransPennine's new maintenance depot opens". RailwayPeople.com. 16 May 2006. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  27. "Train depot work begins". The Press. York: Newsquest (Yorkshire & North East) Ltd. 9 December 2005. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  28. "Duke of York visits city". The Press. York: Newsquest (Yorkshire & North East) Ltd. 11 May 2007. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  29. "Simulating the world's railways". Railway Gazette International. London: Reed Business Information. 1 April 2005. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  30. "Simulation possibilities expand". Railway Gazette International. London: Reed Business Information. 1 May 2006. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  31. Rail Passenger Council 2007, pp. 4–5.
  32. "Voith Rail Service Overhauls Main Components for the Class 185". Heidenheim: Voith Turbo. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  33. References: High-Speed Trains and Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) (PDF). Heidenheim: Voith Turbo. May 2008. pp. 22–23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  34. Research Brief: Trials of wheel and rail rolling contact fatigue control measures (PDF). London: Rail Safety and Standards Board. June 2008. T613. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  35. Route 11: South Trans-Pennine, South Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire (PDF). Route Plans 2006. London: Network Rail. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  36. Route 10: North Trans-Pennine, North and West Yorkshire (PDF). Route Plans 2006. London: Network Rail. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  37. London North Eastern Route Sectional Appendix, Supplement No. 24 (PDF). Network Rail. 7 September 2013. Module LN8, pp. 16–18 (in work pp. 844–846). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  38. Whitehouse 2007, p. 16.
  39. Bower et al. 2012, Section 3.1.2 (pp. 95–96, in work pp. 102–103).
  40. "DMU Eco-Mode fuels savings at TPE". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media International. 21 December 2007. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  41. "Trans-Pennine trains get greener". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media International. 3 October 2008. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  42. "Easing up on throttle saves two million litres of diesel a year". Railnews. Wellingborough. 5 August 2008. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  43. "Can '185s' conquer the Pennines?". Rail Magazine. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 5 July 2006. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  44. "More rail services for Scotland". London: First/Keolis Transpennine. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  45. "Mid Cheshire Rail Report - Summer 2006". Newsletter of the Mid-Cheshire Rail Users Association. No. 68. Altrincham. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  46. "New Trains FAQ". London: First/Keolis Transpennine. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  47. TransPennine Express - Invitation to Tender (PDF). London: Department for Transport. 27 February 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  48. "Northern Rail 31st SA - Remapped services and Track Access Rights" (PDF). Network Rail. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  49. "New-look refurbished TransPennine Express Class 185 launched". Rail Magazine. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 28 July 2017. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018. ...in the long-term 22 will be returned to owner Eversholt Rail.
  50. "TPE keeping seven extra 185s". Today's Railways UK. No. 214. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. October 2019. p. 9.
  51. Rail Passenger Council 2007, pp. 5–9.
  52. Rail Passenger Council 2007, pp. 3, 10.
  53. Whitehouse 2007, p. 18.
  54. Wolmar, Christian (8 June 2007). "Northern Railway Boom Heightens Investment Needs". Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  55. Davidson, Emma (31 October 2008). "Anyone for a game of train sardines?". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Ltd. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012.
  56. A Long Term Vision for Transport in Leeds City Region – Appendix 4 (PDF). Leeds City Council. 23 October 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2008.
  57. "Brighter, Bigger, Better: A Modern Makeover for Our Trains". London: First TransPennine Express. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  58. Dobell, Malcolm (4 April 2018). "How to Refit a Train in 9 days (Mid-life Refresh of Siemens' Class 185 DMUs)". Rail Engineer. Coalville: Rail Media Group. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  59. "Customers can now watch films and TV series for free onboard". London: First TransPennine Express. 9 August 2018. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  60. "EMR set to retain Liverpool – Nottingham service". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media International. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020. The Department for Transport has confirmed to East Midlands Railway that, for the time being at least, it is no longer planning to transfer the Liverpool Lime Street – Nottingham service to TransPennine Express from the December 2021 timetable change.

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