Full Breakdown
£1 Billion Battery-Electric Train Programme Unveiled for the North
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Announcement
On 11 September 2026 the UK government confirmed a £1 billion investment to procure 29 five-car battery-electric multiple units for TransPennine Express. The trains, designated the Adessia Stream fleet, will be built at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane works in Derby, with manufacturing slated to begin in 2028 and the first units entering passenger service by the end of 2034.
Background & Context
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who regularly travels between London and Manchester, framed the scheme as a cornerstone of Great British Railways’ effort to modernise northern routes. The programme follows the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which is installing 25 kV overhead electrification across the Pennines and will allow the new units to draw power from the wires on electrified sections and switch to battery mode on non-electrified stretches.
Data & Statistics
- Fleet size: 29 five-car units (?121 m long).
- Investment: Approximately £1 billion (?€1.2 billion).
- Jobs: More than 350 skilled positions at Alstom’s Derby plant and nearly 6 000 roles across the UK supply chain, including 36 apprentices and 36 T-Level students (government estimate).
- Capacity boost: Up to 30 % increase in Trans-Pennine capacity by the mid-2030s.
- Journey-time reductions: Up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds and up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York.
- Seating & speed: About 300 seats per train, maximum 110 mph.
- Accessibility: Level boarding, three wheelchair spaces, two accessible toilets, family areas, and storage for cycles and buggies.
- Environmental impact: Zero emissions on battery-powered sections; quieter, smoother rides compared with existing diesel Class 185 units.
Why It Matters
The introduction of battery-electric trains on long-distance main-line routes marks the first such deployment in the UK, potentially setting a template for future decarbonisation of non-electrified lines. By reducing journey times and increasing capacity, the programme aims to improve reliability for commuters and regional travellers, supporting economic growth in northern cities. The job creation component also aligns with broader government objectives to boost skilled manufacturing employment in the Midlands.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Delivery timeline: Alstom’s own statement indicates delivery of the first units from 2032, whereas the Department for Transport has said the trains will enter service in 2034.
- Capacity estimates: Some sources project a 30 % capacity increase by the mid-2030s, while others reference a “next decade” horizon without a precise percentage.
- Fleet composition: Modern Railways reports that a few Siemens diesel units will be retained for the Cleethorpes service, a detail not mentioned in the primary government announcements.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I've lost count of the number of times someone has stopped me to tell me about the train that never came. And when that happens, it means missed shifts, missed appointments, and missed opportunities.” — Newsletter The Prime Minister
- “I’ve lost count of the number of times someone has stopped me to tell me about the train that never came.” — Andy Burnham, prime minister
