Alstom and TransPennine Express plan to operate 29 battery-electric trains in northern England from 2034, under transport contracts worth more than €1.2 billion. The trains are expected to support more than 6,000 jobs and provide speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, but their entry into service remains several years away.
The United Kingdom has announced a plan to introduce a fleet of 29 battery-electric trains on long-distance mainline services in northern England, with operations scheduled to begin in 2034. Alstom will develop and manufacture the trains in the city of Derby, while TransPennine Express will operate them under a series of transport contracts worth more than €1.2 billion.
The project represents the first British fleet designed to operate primarily on battery power on long-distance mainlines, according to the information available. The Adessia Stream trains will reach speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, with capacity for approximately 300 seats per train, in addition to first-class seating and catering services. The article does not specify the expected emissions reduction in figures, but it links the project to a significant reduction in transport emissions and improved reliability and speed.
An Industrial and Service Project at Once
The British government says that manufacturing and operating the fleet will support more than 6,000 permanent jobs across the United Kingdom. However, the direct impact on passengers lies in the attempt to address the recurring delays that have affected the reputation of the British rail network, particularly in northern areas.
Rob Whyte, Alstom’s managing director in the United Kingdom, said the agreement represents an important moment for British railways, noting that the trains will be designed and built locally. Andy Burnham, who was quoted by the article, also linked the new fleet to reducing missed journeys and missed appointments resulting from trains not arriving on time.
Why Is the News Not Limited to a Prototype?
Although the target operating date is years away, the project is based on an earlier practical test. Since 2024, TransPennine Express has been testing battery-electric locomotives on its intercity trains, after replacing one of the two diesel engines in a Class 802 Nova 1 train with an electric system developed by Hitachi.
The new fleet differs from that test in being an integrated program for trains designed from the outset to operate using electric power based primarily on batteries, rather than modifying a diesel-powered train. This gives the project greater technical value than merely presenting a design or experimental prototype, but it does not yet prove that the trains will operate commercially as promised.
What Remains Unresolved?
The published details do not clarify the battery range, the charging locations, or how long-distance journeys will be managed, nor do they specify the actual improvement in train punctuality and emissions. The start of service in 2034 also means that the project’s impact on passengers will depend on the successful completion of the design, manufacturing, and testing stages over the coming years. Therefore, the announcement represents an important shift in the direction of British rail transport, but it is not yet evidence of improved service at present.