Arriva Group has confirmed a major £300 million investment in a new fleet of battery hybrid trains for its open-access operator Grand Central, marking a significant boost for UK rail manufacturing and sustainable travel.
The order includes 45 state-of-the-art Hitachi Rail ‘tri-mode’ vehicles – capable of running on electricity, diesel, and battery power – to replace Grand Central’s entire existing fleet by 2028. The investment also includes a 10-year maintenance deal, and the trains will be manufactured at Hitachi’s factory in Newton Aycliffe, supporting local jobs and innovation in the North East.
The new fleet will increase capacity by 20%, creating an additional 400,000 seats annually on Grand Central services between the North East, Yorkshire and London. The battery-powered capability will also enable zero-emission operations in and out of stations, cutting fuel consumption and emissions by around 30%.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP, speaking at the Hitachi factory, welcomed the investment as “proof our Plan for Change is delivering results,” citing the deal’s contribution to regional job security and the UK’s decarbonisation goals.
The trains will be financed through a leasing arrangement with Angel Trains, who trialled the battery technology with Hitachi Rail in 2024.
Arriva UK Trains MD Amanda Furlong described the deal as “a step-change in capacity and comfort,” reaffirming the group’s long-term commitment to UK rail. Arriva has also applied to expand Grand Central services, with proposals to connect Cleethorpes and Seaham directly to London.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness hailed the news as a win for regional rail manufacturing, stating: “This shows there’s real confidence in advanced manufacturing in North East England.”
The fleet order follows ORR approval for Grand Central’s track access rights through to 2038.
