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| Class 185 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Class 185 |
| Service | 2006–present |
| Manufacturer | Siemens |
| Family | Desiro |
| Formed | 3-car sets |
| Operator | Multiple operators |
| Yearconstruction | 2004–2006 |
| Depots | Various |
| Lines | Multiple regional and intercity routes |
| Maxspeed | 100 mph |
Class 185 is a diesel multiple-unit passenger train built by Siemens as part of the Desiro family for use on regional and intercity routes in the United Kingdom. Delivered in the mid-2000s, these units entered service with major operators on services linking cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Bradford, and York. They were introduced amid franchise awards and infrastructure projects involving companies such as FirstGroup, Arriva, Northern Trains, and governmental bodies like the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail and Road.
The units were designed by Siemens in consultation with rolling stock leasing companies including Angel Trains and Eversholt Rail Group and constructed at Siemens factories in Krefeld and Wolfsburg with components from suppliers such as MTU Friedrichshafen, Voith, Knorr-Bremse, Siemens Mobility, and Alstom subcontractors. The Desiro family lineage links to units used by operators like Deutsche Bahn and SBB, while the UK specification required compliance with standards set by the Rail Safety and Standards Board and the Railway Group Standards. During procurement the project interacted with franchises awarded to First TransPennine Express, Northern Rail, TransPennine Express, and later operators involved in franchise changes such as Arriva Rail North and First TransPennine Express successor companies. Construction schedules were influenced by manufacturing constraints similar to those faced by other programmes like the Bombardier Voyager and Hitachi A-train projects.
Each three-car set incorporates diesel engines supplied by MTU Friedrichshafen coupled via Hydrokinetic transmission supplied by Voith to traction systems developed by Siemens Mobility. Bogies and braking equipment were specified by Fuji and Knorr-Bremse respectively, while passenger amenities involved subsystems from Mitsubishi Electric, Thales Group, and ABB Group. The electrical and control architecture references standards used by Network Rail and integrates signalling interfaces compatible with PTC-style train protection systems and British equivalents overseen by the ORR. Dimensions and performance are set to fit loading gauges for routes governed by infrastructure owners such as Network Rail and fit depot facilities used by companies including Heaton TMD, Longsight Depot, and York Depot.
Initially allocated to franchises such as First TransPennine Express and managed through leasing by Angel Trains, the units operated on cross-Pennine routes connecting hubs like Manchester Piccadilly, York, Hull, Scarborough, Blackpool North, and Edinburgh. Subsequent timetable and franchise reorganisations involved operators including Arriva Rail North, TransPennine Express 2016, Northern Trains, and other regional operators. Deployment was coordinated with infrastructure projects at stations such as Manchester Victoria, Leeds, Doncaster, and signalling upgrades linked to programmes promoted by the Department for Transport and overseen by the Rail Safety and Standards Board.
Operational experience highlighted strengths in acceleration and top speed on routes similar to those served by Voyager family units and challenges comparable to early fleets from Bombardier and Hitachi programmes. Reliability metrics reported to the Office of Rail and Road and franchise holders showed periods of high availability interspersed with issues requiring parts support from suppliers such as MTU Friedrichshafen and Siemens. Maintenance regimes evolved at depots affiliated with operators such as FirstGroup and Arriva and were influenced by fleet management practices seen at organisations like Serco and Stagecoach.
Mid-life refurbishments were managed by leasing companies and operators including Angel Trains and involved contractors such as Wabtec and Stadler, mirroring processes used for other fleets like Class 170 and Class 220 units. Modifications included passenger interior upgrades influenced by accessibility standards under statutes and guidance associated with bodies such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Department for Transport, installation of improved passenger information systems from suppliers like Thales Group and Siemens and compliance updates to signalling and safety interfaces coordinated with the Rail Safety and Standards Board.
The units have been involved in operational incidents investigated by authorities including the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and reported to the Office of Rail and Road. Safety assessments referenced procedures and standards published by the Rail Safety and Standards Board and incident responses involved collaboration with emergency services such as British Transport Police and local fire and ambulance services. Findings led to recommended mitigations paralleling changes implemented after incidents involving other fleets like those of Virgin Trains and ScotRail.
Several preservation and modelling interests involve heritage groups and manufacturers such as Hornby Railways, Bachmann, Dapol, and specialist societies that focus on modern diesel traction alongside heritage organisations like the National Railway Museum and regional heritage railways. Scale models and enthusiast documentation reflect the unit’s presence in collections and layouts that feature stations like Keighley, Didcot Parkway, and Severn Valley Railway for contextual displays. Preservation discussions involve stakeholders including leasing companies like Eversholt Rail Group and preservation trusts influenced by precedents set by the conservation of units from operators such as Great Western Railway and London North Eastern Railway.
Category:Diesel multiple units of the United Kingdom