New Battery Trains for North
£1 Billion Investment Funds 29 New Battery Trains Across Northern England
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Key Points
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The Adessia Stream fleet will be the first battery-electric trains used for long-distance mainline services in the United Kingdom.
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The trains will operate with zero emissions on railway sections that are not electrified, offering an alternative to diesel operation on those stretches.
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Andy Burnham framed the investment as a response to persistent service failures, saying passengers had told him about “the train that never came,” which he linked to missed shifts, appointments and opportunities.
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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the new fleet would allow passengers to “wave goodbye to overcrowded, delayed diesel trains” and described the project as combining improved journeys with support for British industry.
Northern England is getting 29 new battery-electric trains in a £1 billion investment that promises faster, cleaner rail travel by the mid-2030s. wired-gov reports the Adessia Stream fleet will cut Manchester-to-Leeds journeys by up to 10 minutes and Manchester-to-York trips by 14 minutes, while boosting capacity by 30%. Built by Alstom at its Derby plant starting in 2028, these will be the UK's first battery-electric trains on long-distance mainline routes.
The investment responds to years of service failures on TransPennine routes. hellorayo.co.uk quoted Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham saying passengers described "the train that never came." Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called it a chance to "wave goodbye to overcrowded, delayed diesel trains" while supporting over 6,000 UK jobs across the supply chain and 350 specifically in Derby.
Battery Power Replaces Diesel on Key Northern Routes
The new trains will serve routes linking Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, York, Scarborough and Saltburn starting in late 2034. wired-gov notes these battery-electric trains will produce zero emissions on non-electrified rail sections, replacing older diesel services. Each train features step-free boarding, extra wheelchair spaces, family areas, and Wi-Fi.
Derby Manufacturing Hub Creates Hundreds of New Jobs
Alstom will build the fleet at its historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby starting in 2028. ilovemanchester.com reports the project will support more than 350 jobs directly in Derby and inject demand across nearly 6,000 supply-chain positions nationwide. The investment marks a major boost for British rail manufacturing.
Years of Delays and Overcrowding Drive Urgent Upgrade
TransPennine routes have suffered persistent failures—missed trains, overcrowding, and chronic delays. hellorayo.co.uk reported Burnham's frustration: passengers told him about "the train that never came," linking service gaps to missed shifts, appointments and lost opportunities. The new fleet directly addresses these failures.
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