£1bn train deal to support more than 350 Derby jobs
More than 350 skilled jobs in Derby are set to be supported after Alstom secured contracts worth more than £1bn to build and maintain a new fleet of trains for TransPennine Express.
The rail manufacturer will design, engineer, build and test 29 five-car battery-electric trains at its Litchurch Lane factory in Derby, with manufacturing expected to begin in 2028.
The rolling stock contract is worth around £800m, while maintenance agreements are valued at approximately £200m.
The trains, which will begin entering service from 2032, will become Britain’s first mainline battery-electric train fleet and the first UK deployment of Alstom’s Adessia Stream platform.
Alstom said the order would support more than 350 highly skilled jobs in Derby and more than 5,500 roles across its UK supply chain. At least £360m is expected to be spent with British suppliers.
Rob Whyte, managing director UK at Alstom, said: “This agreement is a landmark moment for Britain’s railway, and we couldn’t be prouder that the country’s first mainline battery-electric trains will be designed and built in Britain.
“Beyond the benefits to passengers, this investment will support more than 350 highly skilled jobs in Derby and over 5,500 roles across our UK supply chain, helping create opportunities, develop skills and drive economic growth in communities across the country.”
The 121-metre trains will be capable of speeds of up to 110mph and provide around 300 seats. They will operate on routes connecting Liverpool, Manchester, York, Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
Battery technology will allow the trains to operate without emissions on sections of the network without overhead electrification. Alstom will also install charging infrastructure at Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn.
The fleet will replace part of TransPennine Express’s existing Class 185 fleet and is being funded by rail investor Rock Rail.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “From Alstom’s factory floor in Derby to supply chains across the country, this deal will deliver growth, jobs, opportunity and better transport links for generations to come.”
The maintenance contract will initially run for eight years, with the potential for an eight-year extension, and is expected to support more than 100 jobs.
Alstom will also train around 40 apprentices and 40 T Level students during the contract.
Chris Jackson, managing director at TransPennine Express, said: “This is a transformational £1 billion investment in the future of rail travel across the North, delivering new trains for our customers as well as new infrastructure, new jobs and long-term economic benefits.”
The order provides a major programme of work for Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane site, which the company describes as the UK’s only end-to-end train manufacturing facility.
