A new fleet of 29 battery-powered trains is set to be manufactured in the UK, a move Downing Street says will deliver faster and more reliable rail services to the north. The trains, identified as the Adessia Stream model, are scheduled to enter service in 2034. They will represent the first instance of battery-powered technology being utilized for long-distance mainline journeys within the UK.
Construction is slated to begin in 2028 at Alstom’s Litchurch’s Litchurch Lane facility in Derby. According to government projections, this project will secure 350 local jobs while supporting nearly 6,000 positions across the wider UK. The fleet will be operated by TransPennine Express, with the initiative expected to increase rail network capacity by 30% over the next decade.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who frequently travels between London and Manchester, emphasized the necessity of these upgrades to address systemic reliability issues. “I’ve lost count of the number of times someone has stopped me to tell me about the train that never came,” Burnham stated. He described the project as a core mission for Great British Railways, aimed at restoring public confidence and ensuring that infrastructure basics are managed effectively. He added that the investment serves as a commitment to future generations by creating thousands of domestic jobs.
Beyond speed and capacity, the new trains are designed to operate without emissions on non-electrified track sections and will feature improved accessibility through step-free boarding, alongside onboard wifi. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the announcement, noting that it signals a shift toward better passenger experiences. She stated that the transition allows commuters to “wave goodbye to overcrowded, delayed diesel trains and step onboard faster electric trains which are fit for the future,” while simultaneously supporting British industry. The report also notes that more reliable journeys to the north”, no 10 has announced the construction of a new fleet of battery-powered trains that will “bring faster. The report also notes that “It’s exactly what Great British Railways is all about – taking back control of the basics and getting Britain believing again.”.
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