Rail passengers travelling to and from Scarborough will benefit from faster, emission-free journeys following a £1 billion investment in a new fleet of battery-electric trains.
Faster and emission-free train journeys will soon benefit passengers travelling to and from Scarborough. A £1 billion investment in a new fleet of twenty-nine battery-electric trains will transform TransPennine Express routes serving the Yorkshire coast.
New dedicated charging infrastructure at Scarborough station will allow the five-car Adessia Stream trains to recharge while in service. This battery-electric technology will provide completely emission-free travel on sections of the railway that are not yet equipped with overhead electrification.
Passengers will experience quieter and smoother rides with increased overall capacity. The new British-built trains will feature a range of customer-focused improvements, including more luggage space, passenger information screens, dedicated cycle storage, and power and USB-C charging available at every seat.
Level boarding at every doorway will eliminate the gap between the train and the platform, making independent travel easier for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs. Each train will also include three dedicated wheelchair spaces, two accessible toilets, and family-friendly areas.
TransPennine Express managing director Chris Jackson 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. Our customers will benefit from more seats and better accessibility, including level boarding. Britain has a proud railway heritage, and this project puts the UK at the forefront of the next generation of cleaner rail technology."
The new fleet will replace part of the existing Class 185 trains currently serving the region. Manufacturing will begin at Alstom's historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby from 2028, with the fleet scheduled for full delivery by the winter of 2032 and entering passenger service no later than the winter of 2034.
Better overall connectivity remains a priority for local leaders despite the investment in new rolling stock. Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume highlighted that while the new trains represent a significant improvement, the town requires more frequent services to fully unlock its economic potential.
Alison Hume MP said:
"This is a big step forward for rail passengers on the Yorkshire coast. For the first time, Scarborough will benefit from faster electric trains, helping to improve connections for residents, businesses and visitors alike. I've been pressing for better rail services, including two trains an hour between Scarborough and York, because stronger connections are vital to our local economy. There’s so much potential in the town but we’ll continue to he held back unless the frequency is increased. It's also great to see this investment supporting skilled British manufacturing jobs and apprenticeships."
Extra peak-time services will begin operating from 2028, following Mayor David Skaith's decision earlier this year, which was heavily influenced by the ongoing campaign for improved reliability and frequency.
The wider Transpennine Route Upgrade programme aims to boost overall capacity across the North by thirty per cent. Government officials state the project will support hundreds of highly skilled manufacturing jobs directly, alongside thousands more roles sustained through the wider UK supply chain.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
"This significant investment embodies how GBR will deliver better journeys for people while backing British business. Passengers will be able to wave goodbye to overcrowded, delayed diesel trains and step onboard faster electric trains which are fit for the future. 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."
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