THE York depot refurbishing trains for the TransPennine Express welcomed transport secretary Chris Grayling yesterday.

Siemens’ Leeman Road depot is refitting the TransPennine Express (TPE) Class 185 fleet of 51 trains.

The programme means every train in the fleet will receive the modern makeover before July next year - with wi-fi and on-board entertainment; plug and USB sockets; bigger tables to allow more space for laptops and devices; refitted toilets and LED lighting.

Mr Grayling said the refit was just the start, and would be followed by 44 brand new trains in the next two years.

Pete Redding, Siemens’ fleet operations director for the North, added: “We are delivering this project from our York train care facility which has been specially modified for these works – and future-proofed for other projects of this nature.

“Our team is working with numerous local suppliers to refurbish a unit every nine days. By the end of the year, 18 of the new-look trains will be back in service. We are really proud of the work we are achieving alongside TPE and our project partners to deliver an improved travelling experience for our passengers in the North.”