Manufacturing of the UK's inaugural battery-electric trains designed for long-distance main line services will commence in 2028, the Department for Transport announced. The 29 five-car Adessia Stream trains are scheduled to enter passenger service in winter 2034 and will be constructed at Alstom's Litchurch Lane factory in Derby, marking a significant milestone for British rail manufacturing.
Alstom and TransPennine Express have signed contracts valued at approximately €1.2bn for the fleet and long-term maintenance, according to financial reporting on the agreement. The investment comprises roughly €930m for the rolling stock and approximately €230m for maintenance services. The government's backing of nearly £1bn is expected to sustain more than 350 jobs at Alstom and an additional 6,000 positions across the wider UK supply chain.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated the new trains would deliver
"faster, more reliable journeys to the north and thousands of British jobs for the next generation".
Rob Whyte, managing director UK at Alstom, described the agreement as a
"landmark moment for Britain's railway", emphasizing that
"the country's first main line battery-electric trains will be designed and built in Britain. The fleet will transform journeys across northern England while showcasing the very best of British engineering, innovation and advanced manufacturing."
How will the new trains improve passenger experience?
The Department for Transport stated that journeys on the new fleet would be
"quieter, smoother and more reliable", while offering improved accessibility, expanded luggage space and onboard Wi-Fi connectivity. Step-free boarding—achieved through the elimination of gaps between train and platform—represents a key accessibility commitment. Each train will feature three dedicated wheelchair spaces, two accessible toilets, family-friendly areas and dedicated cycle and buggy storage.
What routes will the trains serve?
The fleet will operate between major northern destinations including Liverpool Lime Street and Scarborough, Manchester Airport and Saltburn, and Manchester Piccadilly and Hull. Journey times are projected to decrease by up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds and up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York. The trains will function across both electrified and non-electrified sections while the Transpennine Route Upgrade electrification is delivered in stages, according to details from the Next Generation Rail Fund financial close announcement.
How does this fit into the broader rail modernization programme?
The order represents one of Britain's biggest rail fleet investments and sits within the wider £11bn Transpennine Route Upgrade, a major modernization initiative covering key northern corridors. The Department for Transport indicated that the trains would help achieve the Transpennine Route Upgrade's objective to increase capacity by 30%, delivering thousands of additional seats daily across the Pennines by the early to mid-2030s. Aberdeen Investments and Rock Rail reached financial close through the Next Generation Rail Fund, linking this fleet acquisition to the comprehensive upgrade programme.
What is the significance of this technology for British manufacturing?
This represents the first deployment of Alstom's Adessia Stream platform in the United Kingdom, according to coverage of the contract announcement. Alstom operates the largest rolling stock train manufacturing site outside China, and the Litchurch Lane factory in Derby—which dates back to 1876—will be the production location. The company secured a £370m contract in 2024 to manufacture 10 new London Elizabeth line trains, demonstrating its continued role in UK rail infrastructure development. The battery-electric technology itself has already proven viable; Alstom's French battery-powered regional trains entered commercial service in 2026, providing a near-term precedent for the technology before its application to UK long-distance services.
Whyte previously noted the challenges facing rail passengers, stating
"I've lost count of the number of times someone has stopped me to tell me about the train that never came. And when that happens, it means missed shifts, missed appointments, and missed opportunities. Today, that starts to change."
What happens next?
Manufacturing is scheduled to begin in 2028, with deliveries expected from 2032 onwards and full passenger service commencing in winter 2034. The contract is expected to be recognized in Alstom's second-quarter order intake for fiscal year 2026/27. The trains will be purchased by Rock Rail and leased to TransPennine Express, continuing the established model for UK train fleet procurement.
Key Facts:
- 29 five-car battery-electric trains will be built at Alstom's Derby factory, with manufacturing beginning in 2028
- The €1.2bn contract includes approximately €930m for rolling stock and €230m for long-term maintenance
- Trains will operate across northern England routes, reducing journey times by up to 14 minutes on some corridors
- The investment supports over 350 jobs at Alstom and 6,000 positions across the UK supply chain
- This marks the first UK deployment of Alstom's Adessia Stream battery-electric platform for long-distance main line services
