The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that Alstom will construct 29 new Adessia Stream battery-electric trains at its Litchurch Lane facility in Derby. This project, representing an investment of nearly £1bn, is scheduled to commence in 2028, with the fleet expected to enter service by 2034.

The initiative is designed to support the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which aims to increase rail capacity by 30% and provide thousands of additional daily seats. Once operational, the trains will serve routes connecting major northern hubs, including Liverpool Lime Street, Scarborough, Manchester Airport, Saltburn, Manchester Piccadilly, and Hull. Officials anticipate that the new fleet will reduce travel times by up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds, and up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York.

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The trains will be financed by Rock Rail and leased to the operator TransPennine Express. Beyond performance improvements, the fleet is expected to offer enhanced passenger amenities, such as onboard Wi-Fi, increased luggage space, and improved accessibility features, including step-free boarding, dedicated wheelchair areas, and family-friendly zones.

The government stated that the contract will secure over 350 positions at Alstom and support approximately 6,000 jobs within the broader UK supply chain. Rob Whyte, managing director for Alstom UK, described the deal as a "landmark moment for Britain's railway," noting that the trains will be both designed and built domestically.

Source: BBC News