The Adessia Stream fleet will be the first battery-electric trains on a UK main line route, cutting journey times across the Pennines and supporting more than 350 jobs at Alstom’s Derby site, according to the government.
The UK government has backed an investment of around £1 billion in 29 new battery-electric trains for TransPennine Express (TPE), which will be built by Alstom at its Litchurch Lane Works in Derby.
The Adessia Stream fleet will be the first battery-electric trains to operate on a UK main line route, providing emission-free travel on non-electrified sections of the railway. The trains are due to be built from 2028 and to enter service from winter 2034.
Faster journeys across the Pennines
The government said journey times would be cut by up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds and by up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York. The trains are intended to help deliver the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) ambition of boosting capacity by 30 per cent, with thousands of additional seats a day across the Pennines by the early to mid-2030s.
The fleet will operate services between Liverpool Lime Street and Scarborough, Manchester Airport and Saltburn, and Manchester Piccadilly and Hull.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “These 29 new trains will bring faster, more reliable journeys to the North, and thousands of British jobs for the next generation.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Passengers will be able to wave goodbye to overcrowded, delayed diesel trains and step onboard faster electric trains which are fit for the future.”
Jobs and supply chain
According to the government, the contract will support more than 350 skilled jobs in Derby, alongside 40 apprentices and 40 students, and a further 6,000 jobs across the UK supply chain. It is expected to generate around £360 million for the wider economy.
Further roles in manufacturing, engineering, digital systems and train technology will be available across Alstom’s wider British supply chain. The government described Alstom’s Derby site as the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturing site outside China, and said it has been building trains since 1876.
Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK at Alstom, said: “This agreement is a landmark moment for Britain’s railway, and we couldn’t be prouder that the country’s first main line battery-electric trains will be designed and built in Britain.” He added: “The fleet will transform journeys across northern England while showcasing the very best of British engineering, innovation and advanced manufacturing.”
Accessibility and funding
Each train will include three dedicated wheelchair spaces, two accessible toilets, family-friendly areas, and cycle and buggy storage. Step-free boarding and the elimination of gaps between the train and platform are intended to make journeys easier for wheelchair users, people with pushchairs and those with luggage.
The government also said passengers would experience quieter, smoother and more reliable journeys, with more luggage space and onboard Wi-Fi.
TPE Managing Director Chris Jackson said: “This is a transformational £1 billion investment in the future of rail travel across the North, delivering new trains for our customers as well as new infrastructure, new jobs and long-term economic benefits.”
The TRU has already delivered over £1 billion of spend with local businesses and £2.6 billion in social value to northern communities, according to the government. It currently has a workforce of 5,000 people and aims to provide 8,000 roles in its lifetime.
The trains will be bought by Rock Rail and leased to TPE, with the rolling stock company working with the operator to deliver cleaner, more efficient and sustainable transport.
Rock Rail founder Mark Swindell said: “At Rock we care about improving the passenger experience; we feel strongly this project will deliver a step-change in experience, journey times and environmental benefit.”
The government said the deal shows how Great British Railways (GBR) can deliver better services by bringing track and train together.
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