TransPennine Express has signed contracts for 29 battery-electric trains to be built at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane works in Derby. The 11 September government announcement describes an investment of around £1 billion, with Rock Rail buying the fleet and leasing it to the operator. To follow industrial programmes relevant to your business, you can try PipeSignals free and configure your own market radar.
A fleet order with infrastructure attached
The new Adessia Stream fleet will comprise five-car units. TransPennine Express says its agreements also cover maintenance services, depot facilities and charging infrastructure. The deal therefore brings train supply and the facilities needed to support it into one programme, with an existing Derby factory selected for manufacture.
The operator plans to replace part of its Class 185 fleet. The battery trains are intended for routes connecting Liverpool, Manchester, York, Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn. Dedicated charging facilities are planned at Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn, allowing operation over sections without overhead electrification.
Three different dates for the industrial programme
Manufacturing is expected to start in 2028. Alstom gives 2032 as the start of deliveries, while TransPennine Express schedules full delivery by winter 2032. For passenger operation, the government says winter 2034; the operator says services should begin no later than that winter. These are the parties’ stated targets for different stages, rather than a single launch date.
The present milestone is a funded contract award. The trains have not reached the manufacturing or passenger-service stages described in that timetable. According to Alstom, the trains will be designed, engineered, built and tested at its existing Derby works. The charging infrastructure is planned separately at Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn.
Support extends beyond delivery
The manufacturer puts the rolling-stock agreement at approximately €930 million and the maintenance agreements at around €230 million. It describes maintenance lasting an initial eight years, with a possible eight-year extension. These contract values and terms come from Alstom’s announcement; they are not an estimate of purchasing still available to outside suppliers.
TransPennine also highlights level boarding at every doorway, improved luggage provision and onboard passenger information. Those features make the programme relevant to businesses specialising in vehicle interiors and systems integration, alongside firms serving depots and charging installations.
Where supplier relevance could emerge
Potential opportunities would depend on Alstom’s and its partners’ remaining procurement needs. Testing equipment, charging integration or maintenance support could be relevant where a supplier can demonstrate a fit with the eventual technical requirements. The announcements do not provide an open package list. For suppliers, the useful next milestone would be a defined scope or delivery requirement within this already awarded programme.
To track those developments alongside comparable UK projects, try PipeSignals free and set up a radar around your own products, sectors and regions.
