Struggling TransPennine Express names train Palace of Holyroodhouse to mark King Charles coronation as it awaits its fate

Monarch’s official Scottish residence in Edinburgh unveiled on one of the cross-Border operator’s trains weeks before it faces the loss of its contract because of a ‘not acceptable’ service.

A beleaguered cross-Border train operator facing the loss of its contract appears to be attempting to curry favour with the King by naming a train after his official Scottish residence to mark the coronation.

TransPennine Express (TPE) said the naming of one of its Nova 1 class 802 fleet as Palace of Holyroodhouse at a ceremony at Waverley Station in Edinburgh was “in honour King Charles III”.

The announcement on Thursday comes within weeks of UK transport secretary Mark Harper deciding the fate of the Aberdeen-based FirstGroup subsidiary, which has caused huge disruption to passengers by large-scale cancellations from staff shortages.

Mr Harper told a meeting in Glasgow on Friday organised by the Railway Industry Association that TPE’s service was “not acceptable”. He said he would announce his decision before the current contract ends on May 28.

He said: "The judgment I am going to have to make is do I think they can deliver an improved performance if I were to extend their contract.”

Scottish Conservatives transport spokesperson Graham Simpson told the fringe meeting at the Scottish Conservatives conference: “That very poor service has been going on for far too long. It’s far too unreliable. You almost dread trying to book a TransPennine train.”

Labour has called for TPE to be stripped of its contract because of its “continued failure” as Britain’s worst-performing train operator, with 17 per cent of its trains being cancelled in March – or one in six.

Border Piper Sandy Mutch beside the train at Edinburgh Waverley Station. Picture: TransPennine Express

TPE managing director Matthew Golton said: “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate our new King by naming one of our Nova 1 trains in His Majesty’s honour.

“We wanted to pay homage to the extensive royal history that Scotland has to offer, and it seemed only fitting to name one of our trains after King Charles’ III official residence in Edinburgh – the Palace of Holyroodhouse.”

TPE said the late Queen Elizabeth had previously given permission for the operator to use the palace’s name and imagery on one of its trains, whose cross-Border services include between Edinburgh, Newcastle and north west England.