In 2003, a consortium of FirstGroup and Keolis was awarded the First TransPennine Express (FTPE) franchise.
One obligation under the franchise agreement was to introduce a new fleet of 100 mph trains.

The specifications in the franchise agreement required FTPE to order 100 mph capable diesel multiple units.
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.
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.

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.
The franchise agreement specified a performance aim of 37,500 miles per casualty, with entry into service between March 2006 (first unit) and November 2006 (entire fleet).

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

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.
An official launch took place at Wildenrath in December 2005.

Construction of the Ardwick train depot began March 2005; opening in 2006.
Work was started on the new York Leeman Road depot in December 2005; The opening in May 2007.
In 2006, FTPE acquired two static simulators for driver training from Corys TESS.

All 51 trains were in service by January 2007.
The trains replaced two- and three-car Class 158 and 175 units.
In 2003, a consortium of FirstGroup and Keolis was awarded the First TransPennine Express (FTPE) franchise. One obligation under the franchise agreement was to introduce a new fleet of 100 mph trains.
The specifications in the franchise agreement required FTPE to order 100 mph capable diesel multiple units. 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. 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.
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. The franchise agreement specified a performance aim of 37,500 miles per casualty, with entry into service between March 2006 (first unit) and November 2006 (entire fleet).
By August 2003, Siemens had been named as the preferred bidder for the trains. A contract for supply and maintenance of 56 trains was signed in September 2003. The new train requirement was reduced from 56 to 51 units by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) by 2004.
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. An official launch took place at Wildenrath in December 2005.
Construction of the Ardwick train depot began March 2005; opening in 2006. Work was started on the new York Leeman Road depot in December 2005; The opening in May 2007. In 2006, FTPE acquired two static simulators for driver training from Corys TESS.
All 51 trains were in service by January 2007. The trains replaced two- and three-car Class 158 and 175 units.
British Rail Class 185