Alstom Begins Building Ten Elizabeth Line Trains

Alstom has begun producing ten new Elizabeth line trains at its Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, expanding Transport for London’s fleet and supporting more than 1,000 jobs nationwide.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Alstom Expands UK Production to Meet Growing Demand

Alstom continues to lead Britain’s rail industry by launching construction of ten new Class 345 Aventra trains for the Elizabeth line. Built at Derby’s historic Litchurch Lane Works, the units will help meet London’s growing transport needs.

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The £220 million order, funded by the UK Government, will increase capacity on the country’s busiest railway. Transport for London (TfL) expects the new trains to serve future connections with HS2 at Old Oak Common and support the government’s growth agenda.

Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said that this investment proves how rail spending creates jobs and strengthens communities across the UK. Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom, added that Derby’s factory remains vital for economic growth because it is the only UK site capable of designing, engineering, building, and testing complete trains.

Alstom Supports British Supply Chains and Employment

The project sustains almost 40 UK companies and more than 1,000 jobs. Suppliers such as Time 24 provide electrical wiring for the new nine-car Aventra trains, while others deliver key components from across the country.

TfL has spent more than £12 billion with over 3,000 UK suppliers in the past two years, supporting £11 billion in total Gross Value Added and 100,000 full-time jobs annually. These figures confirm the Elizabeth line’s contribution to Britain’s wider economy.

The new trains will join the existing 70-train fleet, maintained by Alstom at Old Oak Common Depot in West London. Derby’s plant, which has built trains since 1839, recently hosted The Greatest Gathering festival to celebrate 200 years of the railway and its enduring national role.

As production continues, Alstom strengthens both London’s transport capacity and Britain’s industrial base, ensuring passengers benefit from reliable, accessible, and high-quality service.

About the Class 345 Aventra Trains

The Class 345 Aventra is a high-capacity electric multiple unit designed for the Elizabeth line. Each nine-car train measures 205 metres in length and can carry around 1,500 passengers, including 450 seated. Its maximum speed is 90 mph (145 km/h), and it uses 25 kV AC overhead power.

Manufactured entirely at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, the train is part of the Aventra family also used by operators such as Greater Anglia and West Midlands Railway. It features wide doors for fast boarding, step-free access, onboard Wi-Fi, digital information displays, and advanced monitoring systems for predictive maintenance.

The Class 345 fleet forms the core of the Elizabeth line operation, connecting Reading and Heathrow with Shenfield and Abbey Wood. Since its introduction in 2017, the train has reduced journey times and boosted daily ridership to around 800,000 passengers. By adding ten more units, Alstom and TfL will expand capacity and ensure London’s transport network remains efficient and sustainable for years to come.

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