Alstom and TransPennine Express sign contract for Adessia Stream BEMUs
posted on 11th Sep 2026 09:26
On 11 September 2026, Alstom has signed contracts worth 1.2 billion EUR with TransPennine Express (TPE) for the supply and long-term maintenance of a new fleet of BEMUs. The trains will transform rail travel across northern England and support the delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). The BEMUs will operate on services connecting key destinations across northern England, including Liverpool, Manchester, York, Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn. The new trains – funded by rail investor Rock Rail – will replace part of TPE’s existing Class 185 DMU fleet.
The agreements combine a rolling stock contract worth approximately 930 million EUR for 29 five-car units (around 32 million EUR for each train) with maintenance contracts valued at around 230 million EUR. The fleet will be delivered from 2032 and will support the ongoing decarbonisation of one of Britain's most important rail corridors.
Passengers will benefit from faster services too, with journey times cut by up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds and up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York. The new trains will help deliver Transpennine Route Upgrade’s ambition to boost capacity by 30 % with thousands of additional seats a day across the Pennines by the early to mid-2030s.
Furthermore, the battery technology provides emission-free operations on non-electrified sections of railway. Charging infrastructure will be installed by Alstom at Hull, Scarborough and Saltburn, allowing the fleet to recharge efficiently during normal operations. Installation of this infrastructure will be a UK-first on the mainline network and follows a similar successful deployment by Alstom in Ireland.
Designed specifically for the needs of long-distance regional travel, the 121 m long trains will operate at speeds of up to 110 mph and provide around 300 seats per train, including a First Class area with catering facilities. As the first new-build trains to be operated by Great British Railways (GBR), they will also offer passengers modern amenities including Wi-Fi, air conditioning, power and USB-C charging at every set, enhanced luggage provision, real-time passenger information systems, CCTV, dedicated cycle storage and quieter, more comfortable interiors.
A defining feature of the fleet is its level boarding design at every door, helping deliver a more inclusive and accessible passenger experience while reducing station dwell times. Each train will also include three dedicated wheelchair spaces, two accessible toilets, family-friendly areas and buggy storage.
We asked Alstom for the principal technical data of the vehicle - axle arrangement, traction power (electric/battery), dimensions, weights and the working range using the battery. We are waiting for an answer.
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. The fleet will transform journeys across northern England while showcasing the very best of British engineering, innovation and advanced manufacturing.
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. As momentum builds behind strengthening UK industry and regional prosperity, this project is a powerful example of what can be achieved by investing in British design, British manufacturing and British talent."
The maintenance contract – which will support over 100 roles – will run for an initial eight-year period, with the potential for a further eight-year extension. Alstom will train at least 36 apprentices and 36 T Level students over the contract, which is also set to benefit over 1,000 community members each year through the company’s established local engagement framework.
A three-year research programme and a 35 million GBP investment culminated in the development of Adessia for the UK – the next evolution of the Aventra train platform, with fleets already delivering over 18 billion passenger miles.
Alstom was the first rail manufacturer to have both hydrogen and battery trains in commercial operation and continues to expand its portfolio of battery-powered solutions worldwide. A milestone was reached in February 2026, when the first Coradia Continental BEMU entered commercial service for VMS in Germany, followed by the entry into service in July 2026 of France’s first battery-powered trains.
