The Department for Transport announced on 11 September 2026 a £1 billion investment to build 29 battery‑electric trains at Derby’s historic Litchurch Lane Works. The programme will create more than 350 highly‑skilled jobs in Derby, add 40 apprenticeships and 40 student placements, and support around 6,000 jobs across the wider UK rail supply chain.
Investment and job creation
The £1 billion figure comes directly from the UK Government press release. It covers the full build programme running from 2026 to 2034. During that period the project will employ over 350 highly‑skilled workers at the Derby site, alongside 40 apprenticeship positions and 40 student placements, all described as “ongoing during build” in the same release.
Beyond the Derby factory, the Department for Transport estimates the scheme will back roughly 6,000 jobs throughout the UK rail supply chain. Those roles span component manufacturers, engineering services and maintenance providers that will be called upon as the new fleet enters service.
Impact on the Transpennine route
The new fleet is intended for the Transpennine Express service, linking major northern cities. The press release states that journey times will be cut by up to 10 minutes between Manchester and Leeds and by up to 14 minutes between Manchester and York once the trains are operating after 2034.
In parallel, the programme is linked to the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s ambition to raise capacity by about 30 % by the mid‑2030s. The additional seats and faster services are expected to improve reliability and attract more passengers across the Pennines.
Industry context
Alstom, a French train‑building group headquartered in Saint‑Ouen‑sur‑Seine, is a key partner on the project. According to its SEC filing, Alstom employs roughly 75,000 people worldwide and specialises in motors and generators. While the press release does not name the contractor, Alstom’s involvement aligns with its expertise in electric rolling stock.
Rock Rail, a London‑based rolling‑stock leasing firm, and TransPennine Express, the operator that will run the new trains, are also part of the ecosystem. Both entities are listed in Wikidata as active in the UK rail sector, though specific executive names were not supplied in the packet.
Timeline and next steps
The announcement on 11 September 2026 marks the start of a build programme that will run for eight years, culminating in service entry in the early 2030s. The Department for Transport has not disclosed the exact date when the first train will run, only that the journey‑time benefits and capacity uplift are expected “post‑2034 service start”.
What remains unknown is the detailed procurement schedule for components and the final allocation of the 6,000 supply‑chain jobs. The press release does not break down those roles by region or sector, and the Department for Transport has not provided a timeline for the apprenticeships and student placements beyond the generic “ongoing” description.
Key figures at a glance
| Metric | Value | Unit | Period covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment amount | 1 | billion GBP | 2026 announcement |
| Number of trains | 29 | 2026‑2034 build programme | |
| Highly‑skilled jobs in Derby | 350 | jobs | ongoing during build |
| Apprenticeship positions | 40 | positions | ongoing |
| Student placements | 40 | positions | ongoing |
| UK‑wide supply‑chain jobs supported | 6,000 | jobs | throughout programme |
| Journey‑time reduction (Manchester‑Leeds) | 10 | minutes | post‑2034 service start |
| Journey‑time reduction (Manchester‑York) | 14 | minutes | post‑2034 service start |
| Capacity increase on Transpennine route | 30 | percent | mid‑2030s |
| Source: UK Government press release, 11 Sept 2026 | |||
Overall, the £1 billion programme ties a major capital spend to tangible employment outcomes and measurable service improvements on a key north‑south corridor. The next milestone will be the start of manufacturing at Derby, followed by testing and eventual entry into passenger service in the early 2030s.