Construction of the United Kingdom’s inaugural fleet of battery-electric trains designed for long-distance mainline routes is scheduled to commence in 2028, according to a new announcement from the Department for Transport (DfT).
Prime Minister Andy Burnham highlighted the project as a significant step forward, stating that the new trains will provide “faster, more reliable journeys to the north and thousands of British jobs for the next generation.”
The £1bn investment will secure over 350 positions at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane facility in Derby and sustain an additional 6,000 jobs throughout the wider UK supply chain. The 29 Adessia Stream trains are slated to enter service by 2034.
Rob Whyte, Alstom’s managing director for the UK, described the deal as a “landmark moment for Britain’s railway.” He emphasized national pride in manufacturing the country’s first mainline battery-electric units domestically, noting that the fleet will showcase British engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Whyte also addressed the chronic reliability issues that have plagued passengers, remarking that he has lost count of how often he has been told about trains that failed to arrive. “When that happens, it means missed shifts, missed appointments, and missed opportunities. Today, that starts to change,” he said.
The new battery-electric units will be operated by TransPennine Express under a lease agreement with Rock Rail. They will serve key northern routes connecting destinations such as Liverpool Lime Street, Scarborough, Manchester Airport, Saltburn, and Hull.
According to the DfT, the introduction of these trains aligns with the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s objective to increase capacity by 30%, delivering thousands of extra seats daily across the Pennines by the mid-2030s. Journey times are expected to be reduced by up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds, and by 14 minutes on the Manchester to York route.
Feature improvements include quieter and smoother rides, onboard Wi-Fi, and enhanced accessibility. The DfT confirmed that the fleet will offer step-free boarding to eliminate gaps between platforms and trains, along with three wheelchair spaces, two accessible toilets, family areas, and storage for cycles and buggies.
This contract follows a period of uncertainty for the Derby factory, which dates back to 1876. In 2024, the company faced a redundancy consultation that put 1,300 jobs at risk, yet later secured a £370m contract to produce 10 new trains for the London Elizabeth line. Alstom currently operates the largest rolling stock manufacturing site outside of China.
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