TPE unveils £1bn battery train fleet to transform rail travel across the north

The train operator has signed contracts with rail manufacturer Alstom for 29 new five-car battery-electric trains, alongside maintenance services, depot facilities and charging infrastructure. 

The new fleet, called Adessia Stream, will become Britain's first mainline battery-electric trains. 

They will be funded by rail investor Rock Rail and built at Alstom's historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, Britain's only end-to-end train manufacturing facility. 

Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: "This is a transformational £1 billion investment in the future of rail travel across the North, delivering new trains for our customers as well as new infrastructure, new jobs and long-term economic benefits. 

“Britain has a proud railway heritage, and this project puts the UK at the forefront of the next generation of cleaner rail technology.” 

The fleet forms a key part of the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade programme and is expected to support routes linking Liverpool, Manchester, York, Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn. 

As well as replacing part of the existing Class 185 fleet, the new trains will have overall increased capacity and feature a range of customer-focused improvements, including more luggage space, power and USB-C charging at every seat, Wi-Fi, passenger information screens, dedicated cycle storage and quieter, more comfortable interiors. 

A major focus of the project is accessibility. The trains have been designed with level boarding at every doorway, helping passengers board and leave trains independently at the vast majority of stations on the network.  

Each train will also include three dedicated wheelchair spaces, two accessible toilets, family-friendly areas and buggy spaces. 

The investment is also expected to deliver significant economic benefits beyond the railway itself. More than 350 highly skilled manufacturing jobs are expected to be supported in Derby, while thousands more roles will be sustained through the wider UK supply chain. 

Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK at Alstom said: "This agreement is a landmark moment for Britain's railway, and we couldn't be prouder that the country's first mainline 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. "Beyond the benefits to passengers, this investment will support more than 350 highly skilled jobs in Derby and over 5,500 roles across our UK supply chain, helping create opportunities, develop skills and drive economic growth in communities across the country. As momentum builds behind strengthening UK industry and regional prosperity, this project is a powerful example of what can be achieved by investing in British design, British manufacturing and British talent." 

The maintenance contract – which will support over 100 roles – will run for an initial eight-year period, with the potential for a further eight-year extension, helping maximise fleet availability, reliability and performance throughout its operational life. 

Dedicated charging infrastructure will be installed at Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn, allowing the trains to recharge while in service and operate emission-free on parts of the network where electrification is not yet available. 

Manufacturing is expected to begin in 2028, with the fleet scheduled for full delivery by winter 2032. Passenger services are expected to begin no later than winter 2034. 

James Richardson, Managing Director at Transpennine Route Upgrade, said:"TRU is transforming train travel across the north, and today’s announcement is a major step for the programme as we work to deliver a railway that better connects our communities. The £1 billion investment reflects a genuine commitment to transforming rail travel across the region and beyond.

"A stronger North depends on better connections, and TRU is bringing the north together and unlocking opportunities.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “This landmark investment embodies how GBR will deliver better journeys for people while backing British business.  

"These ambitious upgrades plans mean passengers can wave goodbye to overcrowded, delayed diesel trains and step onboard faster electric trains which are fit for the future.   

“From Alstom’s factory floor in Derby to supply chains across the country, this deal will deliver growth, jobs, opportunity and better transport links for generations to come."