I've just booked a trip with TPE for my sins - I'm visiting friends in Manchester (stalybridge) next month and TPE are my only option.
I've spread my bets and am using LNER to get to York and then at least there's options from there to get me onwards to Staly. I'm going early Saturday morning too to avoid the rushes.
Returning a Thu (logic - avoid friday weekend travellers) via Huddersfield and keeping all fingers and toes crossed I'll be ok as Huddersfield station is a dismal place to be stuck
RE: Transpennine Express
Wistfully stuck in the 90s