Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a contract worth around £370 million for 10 new nine-car Aventra trains for
Transport for London’s (TfL) Elizabeth line, along with associated maintenance until 2046. The announcement comes after the firm began a redundancy consultation at its Litchurch Lane factory in Derby due to a gap in orders.
Opened in 2022, the Elizabeth line continues to experience passenger demand ahead of predictions and its current 70-strong fleet of Alstom-built Aventra Class 345 trains is deemed insufficient to meet demand later this decade and through the 2030s. Like the rest of the fleet, the additional Aventra electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger trains will be built at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works, the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds and tests trains for domestic and export markets.
Nick Crossfield, managing director UK and Ireland at Alstom, said: “We are delighted to now have a confirmed workload for Derby Litchurch Lane and our supply chain across the UK. The UK remains one of Alstom’s most important global markets.”
The contract includes new trains which are funded by £220.5 million from the Department for Transport, with TfL also contracting for the provision of train maintenance on the units until 2046. Derby Litchurch Lane Works is Alstom’s largest manufacturing facility globally. The factory was opened by the Midland Railway in 1876 and the city of Derby has been building trains continually since 1839.