UK Commits to Fleet of Zero-Emission Trains to Accelerate Northern Rail Services

Downing Street has announced the construction of a new fleet of battery-powered trains designed to provide faster and more reliable rail services to the north of England.

The 29 new trains, operated by TransPennine Express, will be manufactured at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane facility in Derby starting in 2028. According to the government, this project will safeguard 350 local jobs and nearly 6,000 positions across the UK.

The fleet will consist of Adessia Stream trains, a battery-powered model that will become the first of its kind to be utilized for long-distance mainline travel in the UK upon entering service in 2034.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a staunch advocate for public transport, emphasized the necessity for more dependable and efficient rail services. The new trains are expected to shorten travel times between major northern cities and boost rail network capacity by 30 percent over the coming decade.

These trains will reduce the journey time between Manchester and Leeds by up to ten minutes, and by up to fourteen minutes between Manchester and York.

Burnham stated, “I have lost count of the number of times someone has stopped me to tell me about the train that never came. When this happens, it results in missed shifts, missed appointments, and missed opportunities.”

He added, “Today, that begins to change. These 29 new trains will deliver faster, more reliable journeys to the north, along with thousands of British jobs for the next generation.”

“This is precisely what Great British Railways is about—taking back control of the fundamentals and restoring public confidence in Britain,” Burnham noted.

Beyond speed and capacity, the trains will operate with zero emissions even on non-electrified sections of the network. They will also feature improved step-free boarding and onboard Wi-Fi.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander praised the announcement as evidence of how Great British Railways will “deliver better journeys for people while backing British business,” enabling passengers to “wave goodbye to overcrowded, delayed diesel trains and step onboard faster electric trains fit for the future.”

Alstom, the French train manufacturer, stated that the contract for the trains—which will feature level access boarding at every door—is valued at over €1.2 billion (£1 billion).

The contract encompasses approximately €930 million for the rolling stock and roughly €230 million for maintenance agreements. The maintenance contract is set for an initial eight-year period, with the option for an eight-year extension.

Alstom noted that the fleet, which stretches 121 metres and can reach speeds of up to 110 mph, will be delivered from 2032 onwards.

Charging infrastructure will be installed in Hull, Scarborough, and Saltburn—a first on the UK mainline network—allowing the fleet to be recharged during regular operations.

“This agreement marks a landmark moment for Britain’s railway,” said Rob Whyte, UK managing director at Alstom. “The fleet will transform journeys across northern England while showcasing the finest aspects of British engineering, innovation, and advanced manufacturing.”

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