NEW trains are to run across the region after intercity rail operator TransPennine Express (TPE) announced the purchase of 126 new carriages.

TPE is to spend £230 million on 25 new five-carriage trains which will be in service across the network by 2019.

The trains will be built by Spanish manufacturer, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF).

No UK manufacturer took part in the competitive tender process, bosses said.

The deal follows an earlier agreement by TPE to buy 19 new five-carriage bi-mode trains from Newton Aycliffe-based manufacturer, Hitachi Rail Europe.

The latest agreement will see the introduction of two new fleets, which are 12 five-carriage Civity UK InterCity electric trains financed by Eversholt Rail and 13 sets of five-car InterCity carriages financed by Beacon Rail Leasing.

The InterCity carriages will operate initially between Liverpool and Newcastle and the Civity UK InterCity electric trains will operate between Manchester and Liverpool to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The majority of services will operate with at least five carriages as opposed to the current three.

TPE’s Managing Director, Leo Goodwin said: “This is great news for our customers and we are delighted to have concluded the deals that will bring much needed and much wanted extra carriages across our network.

“This will enable us to transform the customer experience over the life of our franchise and our three new train fleets will form a key part of this improvement."

The new trains will have free Wi-Fi and media servers, on-board customer information, modern interior with spacious seating, air conditioning and power sockets at every seat.

Rail bosses say the new trains will allow services to operate at speeds of up to 125mph, cutting the journey times between key towns and cities across our regions.

Councillor Liam Robinson, chair of the Rail North Limited Board said: “This commitment from TPE to introduce another, much needed, 25 brand new trains will help to deliver on these requirements. The capacity improvement on state of the art, intercity standard trains is exactly what is needed and will help drive the North forward, supporting improved connectivity across the region."

But RMT general secretary said Mick Cash said it was a "sad indictment of our railways" that the new trains were not being built in Britain.