The UK government has confirmed a £1 billion investment in a fleet of 29 new British-built battery-electric trains, marking a significant step in the industrial strategy to modernise the nation’s rail network. The deal, signed on 11 September 2024, will see the new rolling stock manufactured at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby.
The contract with manufacturer Alstom is valued at approximately €1.2 billion (£1 billion), covering both the production of the trains and long-term maintenance agreements. These Alstom Adessia Stream battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) are destined for the TransPennine Express (TPE) network, which serves major routes across Northern England.
The investment is expected to support approximately 6,000 jobs across the UK supply chain, with production at the Derby site scheduled to begin in 2028. The fleet is currently slated to enter passenger service in winter 2034.
Faster journeys and increased capacity
The introduction of the battery-electric fleet is a core component of the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), a multi-billion-pound project designed to create a fully electric and more reliable railway between York, Leeds, and Manchester. By using battery technology, the trains can operate on sections of the track that are not yet electrified, reducing the reliance on diesel and cutting carbon emissions.
According to project specifications, the new trains will contribute to significant reductions in journey times, including:
- Manchester to Leeds: Reductions of up to 10 minutes.
The new fleet will operate on several key northern routes, including services from Liverpool Lime Street to Scarborough, Manchester Airport to Saltburn, and Manchester Piccadilly to Hull. Network Rail has confirmed that these upgrades are essential for providing more frequent and reliable services across the region.
Modern features and accessibility
The Adessia Stream trains have been designed with modern passenger requirements in mind. A major feature of the new fleet is the inclusion of “level boarding” at every door, which removes the gap between the train and the platform to assist those with limited mobility, luggage, or prams.
Each train will also be equipped with three dedicated wheelchair spaces, two accessible toilets, and specific storage areas for bicycles and buggies. These features are intended to bring the mainline fleet up to the highest modern standards of inclusivity and convenience.
A unified rail future
While the contracts have been signed by the current TransPennine Express operator, the fleet is intended to eventually operate under the unified Great British Railways (GBR) organisation. This shift is part of the broader national strategy to bring track and train operations closer together under a single public body.
The project represents the first major rollout of mainline battery-electric trains for long-distance services in the UK. While the immediate impact is concentrated on Northern routes, the government and industry leaders view the Derby-built fleet as a blueprint for future rolling stock procurement across the wider UK rail network as it moves toward decarbonisation goals.
