Passengers across the North are set to benefit from faster and more reliable train journeys following an approximately £1 billion investment in 29 new British-built battery-electric trains for TransPennine Express. These trains will be constructed at Derby’s Litchurch Lane Works, supporting over 350 jobs directly in Derby and around 6,000 across the UK supply chain.
The new fleet, described as the UK’s first battery-electric trains for long-distance main line services, will operate on routes including Liverpool Lime Street to Scarborough, Manchester Airport to Saltburn, and Manchester Piccadilly to Hull. They are designed to provide emission-free travel on non-electrified sections of the railway.
Construction of the trains is scheduled to begin in 2028, with services expected to commence from winter 2034. Passengers can anticipate quieter, smoother, and more reliable journeys, alongside improved accessibility, increased luggage space, and onboard Wi-Fi.