UK Government Orders 29 Battery-Electric Trains for TransPennyine Express Construction Starts 2028
Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed the purchase of 29 Adessia Stream trains, with manufacturing beginning in 2028 to increase rail capacity by 30% by the mid-2030s.
The UK government has announced a plan to build 29 new battery-electric trains for TransPennyine Express. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated the fleet will enable faster journeys between northern cities and boost network capacity by 30%. Manufacturing of the Adessia Stream models is scheduled to begin at Alstom's Litchurch Lane works in Derby starting in 2028. The trains are set to enter service in 2034, designed as the first battery-powered units for long-distance mainline travel in Britain. The DfT and the government project the new fleet will cut journey times by up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds, and up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York. The trains will operate across key destinations including Liverpool Lime Street, Scarborough, Manchester Airport, Saltburn, Hull, and Manchester Piccadilly. Rock Rail is expected to purchase the units and lease them to TransPennyine Express. Construction of the fleet supports 350 local jobs in Derby and nearly 6,000 jobs across the UK. Alstom previously secured a £370m contract in 2024 to produce ten London Elizabeth Line trains, though that project faced redundancy consultations threatening 1,300 positions at its factory in Litchurch Lane which dates back to 1876.
