A £1 billion investment in battery-electric trains will bring the UK’s first mainline battery-electric trains.
TransPennine Express has a signed a contract with Alstom for 29 new five-car trains, alongside maintenance services, depot facilities and charging infrastructure. The Adessia Stream fleet is designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of rail travel across northern England.
The trains will operate on routes connecting Liverpool, Manchester, York, Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn. They will provide emission-free journeys on sections of the network where overhead electrification is not yet available.
Dedicated charging infrastructure will be installed at Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn, allowing the trains to recharge during services and extend their operation across non-electrified routes.
Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “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 will replace part of the existing Class 185 trains while increasing overall capacity. The new trains will also feature quieter interiors, Wi-Fi, USB-C charging, cycle storage and improved accessibility, including level boarding at every doorway.
The project is expected to support more than 350 manufacturing jobs in Derby, with thousands more roles sustained through the UK supply chain. More than 100 maintenance positions will also be supported.
Manufacturing is due to begin in 2028, with full delivery expected by winter 2032 and passenger services starting by winter 2034.
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