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TPE fleet plan

www.tpexpress.co.uk September 14, 2026

Britain's first battery-electric trains will mean a new era of rail travel across the north. TransPennine Express has awarded contracts to rail manufacturer Alstom for 29 new five-car battery-electric trains, alongside maintenance services, depot facilities and charging infrastructure. Manufacturing is expected to begin in 2028. Passenger services are expected to start in winter 2034.

Faster, greener and more comfortable journeys

We're investing £1 billion in a brand-new fleet of battery-electric trains that will transform journeys across the North of England. Our new Adessia Stream trains will be Britain's first mainline battery-electric fleet, bringing customers a more comfortable, accessible and sustainable way to travel. The trains will operate on routes connecting Liverpool, Manchester, York, Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn, helping deliver the generation of rail travel across our network.

What you'll enjoy onboard

More seats and increased capacity

Spacious interiors with improved comfort

Wi-Fi throughout the train

Power sockets and USB-C charging at every seat

Real-time passenger information screens

Dedicated cycle storage

Quieter journeys with modern train technology

Designed with accessibility in mind

Our new battery-electric trains have been designed to help everyone travel with confidence and independence. Features include: Level boarding at every doorway on the vast majority of stations we serve Three dedicated wheelchair spaces on every train Two accessible toilets per train Family-friendly areas Dedicated buggy storage These improvements will make boarding and travelling easier for customers across our network.

Supporting a green railway

The new fleet forms part of the wider TransPennine Route Upgrade programme and will support the move towards cleaner rail travel. Dedicated charging facilities will be installed at Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn. This will allow the trains the recharge during service and operate emission-free on parts of the journey where electrification is not yet available.

The new trains will be built by Alstom at its historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby and financed by Rock Rail. This investment will:

Support more than 350 skilled manufacturing jobs in Derby

Sustain thousands of jobs across the UK supply chain

Help develop future rail engineering skills

Strengthen Britain's railway manufacturing sector

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