RAIL company TransPennineExpresss is investing £230m in 25 new five-carriage trains to enter service during 2018 and 2019.

They include 12 Civity UK InterCity electric trains for use on the hourly service between Manchester Airport and Glasgow/Edinburgh, and on a new direct service from Liverpool to Glasgow/Edinburgh. Both routes pass through Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle.

The investment follows the award of the TransPennine Express (TPE) franchise to First Group, with effect from April 1.

Leo Goodwin, managing director of TPE, said: “Our services are going to offer more seats, improved connectivity and a higher standard of comfort. The on-board experience will be second to none."

The new trains will have free wi-fi and media servers allowing passengers to stream TV shows and films.

They will also have on-board customer information, modern interiors with spacious seating, air conditioning, and power sockets at every seat.

The Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) will build the new trains. TPE says that no UK manufacturer took put in a bid,

The previous operators of the TPE franchise introduced 10 four-coach electric trains in 2014 to ease overcrowding on the Manchester-Scotland route. These have a top speed of 110mph but the new trains will be as fast as Virgin's Pendolinos capable of 125mph.

TPE has also ordered 13 sets of five-carriage InterCity trains for its Liverpool-Manchester-Newcastle service.

These will be hauled by class 68 diesel locomotives leased from the Carlisle-based rail operator Direct Rail Services (DRS).

Chris Connelly, commercial and business development director of DRS said: “With unmatched environmental credentials, the class 68 locomotive is already delivering industry leading levels of performance, reliability and fuel efficiency.

“We are proud that these highly innovative locomotives, together with our team of technical experts, will be supporting TPE in delivering an exceptional product.”