Rail operator, Northern, opens talks with manufacturers over plans for new fleet

Rail operator, Northern Trains, has invited manufacturers to enter talks on supplying up to 450 new trains across the North of England.
The operator is a key player in the North West transport network, although it has recently come under intense pressure over its poor track record of cancellations and delays which has seen it cancelling between 70-100 trains a day.
Last November, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, in his capacity as chair of Transport for the North, lambasted Northern bosses saying its improvement plan wasn’t good enough: “We cannot wait until 2027. That cannot happen. We do not understand why the answers are so vague regarding improvement and we need a better working relationship to bring that target down because 2027 is completely unacceptable.”
Now, the publicly-owned operator has revealed that a new fleet of trains could be introduced on a phased basis, replacing the oldest units in Northern’s existing fleet, most of which have been in service since the 1980s and 90s.
Approximately two thirds of the existing fleet is targeted to be replaced in the next 10 years.
They will be a mix of electric and multi-modal (diesel/electric) powered trains and prospective manufacturers have been asked to include battery-powered trains as part of their proposals.
Northern Rail
Multi-modal units in the order will be capable of conversion to battery or electric-only operation during their lifetime, in line with the Government’s commitment to deliver a cleaner, greener railway as part of its net-zero objectives.
Northern said by reducing the number of different types of trains, it will significantly simplify operations, help with staff training, and lower maintenance costs – all of which will help reduce taxpayer subsidy.
Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “Almost 60% of the trains in our fleet are between 32 and 40 years old and, while they’ve served the region well, it’s important we get the ball rolling on their replacement.
“It’s game changing for Northern and will transform the look and feel of our fleet for millions of customers – and it also cements electric and battery as the long term power source of choice for our fleet.”
It is expected the contract will be awarded to the successful bidder, or bidders, in 2026, with an aim to have first trains delivered to Northern by 2030.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said: “This vital fleet upgrade will create smoother journeys and help Northern provide the services their passengers deserve. It’s also great news for our rail manufacturing industry and demonstrates that the pipeline for orders is strong.”
Phase one will replace the train operator’s ageing Class 150, 155, and 156 trains first, and also include 12 electric three-carriage trains to operate the local stopping services between York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester following the electrification of the route through the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
Future phases will replace the next oldest fleets as more new trains come off the production line.
The replacement fleets will incorporate and benefit from the latest technologies, designed to meet the needs of the customers of today and tomorrow, delivering higher levels of comfort, reliability, and overall satisfaction.
Removing diesel trains over time from service will demonstrably improve the local air and noise quality overall, and especially in locations where this is a concern.
Williams added: “The new trains will support the Government’s commitment to achieving Net Zero operations by 2050 whilst reflecting the reality that only 25% of the Northern network is currently electrified.”
Train manufacturers approached as part of this first ‘Invitation to Negotiate’ step in the procurement process are Alstom, CAF, Hitachi, Siemens and Stadler.
Switzerland-based Stadler has provided Merseyrail’s new £500m fleet of trains, but its introduction has not been without major problems.
The firm introduced battery technology on the Kirkby Headbolt Lane line, allowing trains to run on battery power between the Kirkby and Headbolt Lane stations, which is not electrified.
But the service is routinely disrupted due to technical difficulties, which has led to frequent rebukes from Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram who is regularly the butt of criticism from long-suffering commuters.
The timescales for the introduction of the new Northern trains will be developed as part of the procurement process, however, Northern has set bidders challenging targets to deliver as soon as possible.
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.