The service provided rail links for major towns and cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, Hull, Leeds, York, Scarborough, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

[10] The franchise was originally scheduled to end on 31 January 2012; however, in August 2011, the Department for Transport awarded First TransPennine Express a contract extension until March 2015.

[11] Included was a clause to allow the end date to be brought forward to April 2014 to coincide with the end-date of the Northern Rail franchise.

Following timetable changes in May 2014 the following services operated: With the completion of the first stage of the North West electrification programme, the Scottish services were operated from 8 December 2013 by newly arrived Class 350 electric units and rerouted to stop at Wigan North Western after joining the West Coast Main Line close to Newton-le-Willows.

Various requirements of this new fleet of diesel multiple units were stipulated, such as the ability to operating at speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h), comparable acceleration to the Class 180, the presence of air conditioning and two toilets per vehicle (one of which being suitable for reduced-mobility passengers), gangways between individual carriages, space for storing both luggage and bicycles, internal CCTV coverage, provision for wheelchair passengers, and first class seating.

[22] During September 2003, contract for supply and maintenance of 56 trains was signed between First TransPennine Express and the rolling stock manufacturer Siemens.

[27] During 2006, First TransPennine Express acquired two static simulators from Corys TESS to better facilitate driver training ahead of the introduction of new rolling stock.

[28][29] The Class 185 trains proved popular with off-peak travellers, although these satisfaction levels decreased for passengers undertaking long-distance journeys and at peak times.

[31] During 2007, a report produced by Transport for Greater Manchester stated that projected passenger numbers would likely necessitate the introduction of 100–125 mph (161–201 km/h) 8-car trains by 2014.

[citation needed] In February 2012, the Department for Transport announced that 10 four-car electric Class 350 Desiros had been ordered to operate services from Manchester to Scotland via Wigan after electrification.

First TransPennine Express's franchise agreement required the establishment of two new depots equipped to handle the new rolling stock that it was to operate.

In addition, an existing depot at Cleethorpes was to be upgraded with refuelling and controlled-emission toilet servicing facilities and a train electric auxiliary supply.