Rail manufacturer Hitachi Rail has landed a significant new contract worth around £300 million to build a fleet of cutting-edge battery hybrid trains for Arriva Group’s Grand Central service. The order for nine “tri-mode” trains, capable of running on electricity, battery, or diesel power, will replace Grand Central’s entire existing fleet, promising greener and more comfortable journeys for passengers across the North of England and to London.
The 45-car order, which also includes a 10-year maintenance contract, follows the recent approval by the rail regulator for extended track access rights for Grand Central’s services through to 2038. This investment underscores Arriva’s long-term commitment to the UK rail sector and its dedication to providing sustainable public transport solutions.
Crucially for the UK economy, the new trains will be manufactured at Hitachi’s factory in Newton Aycliffe, safeguarding jobs and skills at the company’s North East manufacturing base. The battery component of the order also presents a new advanced manufacturing opportunity for the factory and its wider supply chain, aligning with the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and ambition for economic growth, and further cementing the North East’s role as a burgeoning UK battery technology hub.
Passengers travelling between the North East, Yorkshire, and London are set to benefit from a 20 per cent increase in seating capacity, translating to an additional 400,000 seats per year. The tri-mode capability of the new trains also offers the potential for deployment on other routes in the future, providing greater flexibility for the operator. Furthermore, the new fleet is expected to deliver significant reductions in both emissions and noise pollution.
The new trains are scheduled for delivery in 2028 under a 10-year leasing arrangement, financed in partnership with Angel Trains.
Amanda Furlong, Managing Director of Arriva UK Trains, said: “This major investment underscores our commitment to the UK market. We are proud to connect under-served communities with regional and national centres, helping make sustainable train travel the easy choice.
“These best-in-class, greener trains will deliver more comfortable journeys and a step-change in capacity on our popular Grand Central services. We look forward to announcing further rolling stock orders, providing jobs and wider economic benefits, as and when our network grows.”
Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, said: “Just four months since the Prime Minister and I welcomed a significant deal for Hitachi and its workforce in Newton Aycliffe, this new £300m investment marks yet another step forward in securing the future of rail manufacturing in the North East.
“The landmark deal is proof that our Plan for Change is delivering results – creating the right environment for investment, which in turn supports high-skilled jobs, drives economic growth and delivers real improvement in people’s lives.
“Not only will this new battery technology deliver greener journeys for passengers, but it will also boost skills for the workforce and futureproof jobs here in Newton Aycliffe as we continue to deliver a railway fit for the 21st century.”
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “I made it one of my first priorities as Mayor to secure the future of Hitachi in Country Durham, and with that the jobs of hundreds of people who work at the Newton Aycliffe plant. Today’s announcement confirming a new £300m order by Arriva for state-of-the-art trains is just the latest sign we are succeeding. This is great news for Hitachi and its highly skilled workforce, showing there’s real confidence in advanced manufacturing in North East England.
“I’m so proud to say that in the very near future, the entire Grand Central fleet which links Sunderland to York and London will have been proudly built in our region.”
Jim Brewin, Hitachi Rail Chief Director of UK & Ireland, said: “As we celebrate 200 years since the birth of the modern railway in the North East, it’s symbolic that innovative battery trains are being developed in Newton Aycliffe”.
“Battery trains’ ability to deliver cheaper, greener, and more reliable journeys means we are unlocking a new advanced manufacturing opportunity for rail today.
“Following the successful trial of this pioneering battery technology last year, Arriva and Angel Trains are transforming Hitachi’s £17 million R&D investment into the first battery train order to be built in the UK.”
David Jordan, COO of Angel Trains, said: “Our multimillion-pound investment into these state-of-the-art tri-mode trains will deliver significant benefits for Grand Central passengers, connecting communities across the North of England and driving essential economic growth.
“This latest development builds on the momentum created by the successful conclusion of our battery trial with Hitachi Rail at the end of last year and demonstrates the transformative potential of battery technology in both existing and new fleets.”
The pioneering battery technology is expected to cut emissions and fuel consumption by around 30 per cent. The trains will also be capable of entering and exiting stations in zero-emission battery mode, contributing to improved air quality and reduced noise in urban areas. Passengers will also benefit from increased luggage storage, in-seat power, and an electronic reservation system.
Arriva has praised the swift decision-making by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the backing of the Department for Transport and Network Rail in extending its track access rights. The company has two further outstanding applications currently under consideration, which, if approved, would extend existing routes to bring direct rail services to currently under-served communities across the UK. Arriva also retains the option to purchase additional trains should these applications be successful.
