Alstom’s Derby site starts work on additional Elizabeth line trains

Train-maker Alstom has announced it has started building additional trains for London’s Elizabeth line at its Derby factory.

The firm’s Litchurch Lane Works has begun work on the first of 10 extra trains to help Transport for London meet growing demand from passengers.

Last year, the city successfully lobbied the Government to order the additional trains as Litchurch Lane faced a gaping hole in its order book, which threatened the very existence of the train manufacturing site.

A campaign orchestrated by Team Derby called ‘Save Our Trains – Do the Deal!’ helped put pressure on the Government to commit to ordering the extra trains – and keep the plant alive.

Rob Whyte, managing director for the UK and Ireland at Alstom, said: “Our historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works are crucial to the country’s economic growth, being the only UK factory where you can design, engineer, build and test a train from scratch for both domestic and export markets.

“Therefore, not only will these new Aventra trains enable Transport for London to continue successfully operating the Elizabeth line as passenger demand grows, they continue to support high-value manufacturing and supply chain jobs in the East Midlands and across the UK.”

John Forkin, managing director at Marketing Derby, said: “Winning this contract last year helped secure the very existence of Alstom’s Derby factory and Marketing Derby is proud to have played a role as part of the wider Team Derby lobby.

“The Elizabeth line is a national success story that illustrates the importance to the Government of issuing more rail contracts – including getting on with the HS2 trains – that can contribute to economic growth.”

Since opening in 2022, the Elizabeth line has had a transformational effect on travel in London and has quickly become the UK’s single busiest railway service, with an average of 800,000 journeys now made on the service each day.

The new Aventra Class 345 trains being built at Litchurch Lane, which were ordered with UK Government funding, will allow Transport for London to increase capacity on the existing line.

The Elizabeth line rolling stock supply chain supports almost 40 UK companies and more than 1,000 jobs, the majority of which are in Derby, which has been a railway hub since 1839.

Alstom believes this vital work in Derby demonstrates how investment in London’s transport infrastructure boosts economic growth across the country.

A new Elizabeth line evaluation report has revealed the extent to which the public have embraced the city’s new railway line since it opened, and its positive impact on housebuilding and employment.

Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “The start of production of 10 new trains in Derby is testament to the popularity and success of the Elizabeth line and shows how it is driving growth well beyond London, boosting employment and powering industry across the UK.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Thanks to over £220 million in Government funding, TfL’s order for new Elizabeth line trains is a shining example of how public investment in our railways delivers for communities across the country, supporting more than 1,000 skilled jobs in Derby and ensuring London’s transport network keeps pace with growing demand.”

Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, said: “The Elizabeth line shows how quality transport infrastructure can unlock opportunities for people and places across the country, and this vital work in Derby makes clear that investing in the capital’s transport network doesn’t just benefit Londoners but drives wider economic growth across the country.”