The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that nearly £1 billion in government investment will fund the construction of the UK’s first battery-electric main line trains, with manufacturing to commence in 2028 at Alstom’s renowned Litchurch Lane facility in Derby. This initiative is set to revitalize long-distance travel across northern England and protect thousands of roles throughout the country.
Adessia Stream Fleet Aiming for 2034 Rollout
Comprising 29 Adessia Stream trains, the new fleet is targeted to begin serving passengers in 2034. The DfT states that the project will secure over 350 Alstom jobs and sustain more than 6,000 supply chain posts in the UK. This aligns with the broader objective of the TransPennine Route Upgrade, which is dedicated to enhancing capacity and connectivity for northern railways.
Key routes will include Liverpool Lime Street, Scarborough, Manchester Airport, Saltburn, Manchester Piccadilly, and Hull, expanding emissions-free travel to lines that are currently accessible only via diesel. The adoption of battery-powered technology will allow these trains to operate without producing emissions on previously non-electrified track sections.
Uplifting Employment, Rail Capability, and Eco-Standards
The new rolling stock is expected to boost capacity along the TransPennine corridor by 30%, making thousands of extra seats available each day in the early to mid-2030s, according to the DfT. Fast-tracked services will see journey times cut—up to 10 minutes faster between Manchester and Leeds, and up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York.
Praising the transformative potential of the project, Prime Minister Andy Burnham highlighted the anticipated improvements in service reliability and job creation, describing the investment as a means of delivering “faster, more reliable journeys to the north, and thousands of British jobs for the next generation.” He emphasized that persistent rail delays would be addressed, stating, “Today, that starts to change.”
Rock Rail will take on the purchase of the new trains, leasing them to TransPennine Express for operation on passenger services.
Backing Jobs and Upholding Derby’s Rail Lineage
Alstom’s Derby factory—the largest outside China—recently secured a £370 million deal to deliver 10 new trains for the London Elizabeth line. This fresh order bolsters the facility as it bounces back from a recent redundancy consultation that threatened 1,300 jobs at the historic plant, which first opened its doors in 1876.
Rob Whyte, managing director for Alstom UK, characterized the latest agreement as “a landmark moment for Britain’s railway,” providing much-needed stability for employees and the broader Midlands community. While the actual assembly of the new trains is planned for 2028, Whyte confirmed ongoing work in CrossCountry and ScotRail refurbishment schemes, with efforts underway to redeploy staff during the interim.
Backing from Unions and a Focus on Enhanced Passenger Service
Sharon Graham, who leads the Unite union as general secretary, pointed to the dedication shown by workers fighting to maintain Derby’s reputation as a centre of UK train manufacture, expressing her relief at the positive news for employees and the supply chain alike.
During her visit to Alstom, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted the contract’s value in promoting skilled employment in Derby. She confirmed support for more than 40 new apprenticeships, and underlined that the agreement will help maintain 350 direct positions at the factory and over 5,000 jobs in related sectors.
The DfT’s statement assures customers of a modernized ride experience, with enhanced reliability, low noise, and increased accessibility—such as step-free boarding, three wheelchair spaces per train, two accessible toilets, expanded luggage areas, onboard wi-fi, and family-friendly amenities.
By introducing these battery-electric trains, the UK is taking a major leap forward in making long-distance rail not only more sustainable, but also boosting economic prospects for the national rail industry.