UK's First Battery-Electric Trains Announced for Long-Distance Lines

A landmark agreement has been announced for the United Kingdom's very first battery-electric trains designated for long-distance main line services. The extensive project involves an almost £1bn investment to manufacture and introduce a brand new fleet to the railway network, promising a significant modernization for passengers travelling across the north of England. Under the newly announced plans, the rolling stock company Rock Rail will purchase the trains, which will subsequently be leased to TransPennine Express to operate on long-distance routes.

Work on constructing the new fleet is officially set to begin in 2028 at Alstom's historic Litchurch Lane factory located in Derby. Following the manufacturing phase, the 29 new Adessia Stream trains are expected to formally enter passenger service in the year 2034, bringing a 30% capacity boost to the lines they serve. Rob Whyte of Alstom described the agreement as a "landmark moment for Britain's railway" and expressed delight for the city of Derby and the East Midlands, emphasizing it as a great opportunity to continue the area's manufacturing legacy.

The major contract provides substantial economic security, directly safeguarding 350 jobs at the Alstom facility in Derby while supporting an estimated 6,000 jobs across the wider UK supply chain, including 5,000 jobs supported by this contract alone. Heidi Alexander noted that the project will create 40 extra apprenticeships at the facility. Sharon Graham of the Unite union highlighted that the agreement brings "huge relief to Alstom's Derby workers and those in the supply chain," praising members for working tirelessly to ensure the city's train-making history continues.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham welcomed the development, noting its potential to deliver "faster, more reliable journeys to the north and thousands of British jobs for the next generation." Reflecting on past transport challenges, Burnham stated, "I've lost count of the number of times someone has stopped me to tell me about the train that never came." He added that unreliable services mean missed shifts, appointments, and opportunities, concluding that "today, that starts to change."

The announcement follows a challenging period for the manufacturing site. Rob Whyte acknowledged that there is a period ahead where new builds will temporarily stop until the TransPennine order commences, noting that 1,300 jobs had previously been at risk in a redundancy consultation. To mitigate this gap, the facility has already undertaken refurbishment works for CrossCountry and ScotRail, with plans to transfer as many personnel as possible into that area until manufacturing on the Adessia Stream fleet officially commences in 2028.