Derby’s Alstom signs £1 billion contracts for battery-electric trains

Derby train-maker Alstom has signed contracts worth more than £1 billion to supply and maintain Britain’s first mainline battery-electric trains.

The trains, designed and built at the firm’s Litchurch Lane Works, are for TransPennine Express – and will transform rail travel across northern England and support the delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

The agreements combine a rolling stock contract worth approximately £800 million for 29 five-car battery-electric multiple units with maintenance contracts valued at around £200 million.

Rob Whyte, UK managing director at Alstom, said: “This agreement is a landmark moment for Britain’s railway, and we couldn’t be prouder that the country’s first mainline battery-electric trains will be designed and built in Britain.

“Beyond the benefits to passengers, this investment will support more than 350 highly skilled jobs in Derby and over 5,500 roles across our UK supply chain, helping create opportunities, develop skills and drive economic growth in communities across the country.

“As momentum builds behind strengthening UK industry and regional prosperity, this project is a powerful example of what can be achieved by investing in British design, British manufacturing and British talent.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “These 29 new trains will bring faster, more reliable journeys to the North, and thousands of British jobs for the next generation. It’s exactly what Great British Railways is all about – taking back control of the basics and getting Britain believing again.”

The order represents the first deployment of Alstom’s Adessia Stream platform in the UK and will deliver Britain’s first mainline battery-electric train fleet, combining high performance, operational flexibility and sustainable mobility.

Devised specifically for the needs of long-distance regional travel, the 121-metre-long trains will operate at speeds of up to 110 mph and provide around 300 seats per train, including a First Class area with catering facilities.

A defining feature of the fleet – the first new-build trains to be operated by Great British Railways – is its level boarding design at every door, helping deliver a more inclusive and accessible passenger experience while reducing station dwell times.

As the home of the Adessia platform, the new trains will be designed, engineered, built and tested at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works – the UK’s only end-to-end train factory.

Manufacturing is expected to begin in 2028, with the project set to generate at least £360 million in spending with British suppliers. The first trains will be delivered from 2032.

The maintenance contract – which will support over 100 roles – will run for an initial eight-year period, with the potential for a further eight-year extension, helping maximise fleet availability, reliability and performance throughout its operational life.

Alstom will train at around 40 apprentices and around 40 T Level students over the contract, which is also set to benefit over 1,000 community members each year through the company’s established local engagement framework.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “From Alstom’s factory floor in Derby to supply chains across the country, this deal will deliver growth, jobs, opportunity and better transport links for generations to come.”