TransPennine Express launches electric-powered train service

The Nova 1 (Class 802) train, which can also run on diesel, made its inaugural journey on Sunday as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

This marks a step towards TPE's goal of becoming a more 'environmentally friendly' operator.

The Nova 1 train, departing for Newcastle at 9.45am, was the first TPE train to leave Manchester Victoria and head to Stalybridge using a pantograph and the electric overhead wires.

The completion of this phase of the TRU, and the introduction of services using the electric lines on TPE’s route, means a larger part of the TPE network can now be served by greener electric trains.

The completion of this phase of TRU – and the introduction of services using the electric lines on TPE’s route means a larger part of the TPE network can now be served by greener electric trains (Image: Lee Haggarty)

Chris Nutton, major projects and TRU director at TransPennine Express, said: "This is an exciting time for the railway in the North, as TRU continues to deliver benefits for TPE and our customers.

"The use of our Nova 1 fleet in electric mode between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge gives our customers a taste of what is to come, as TRU continues to transform the railway between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York."

This milestone is a direct benefit of the multi-billion-pound TRU programme and follows the work done during a 26-day blockade between Manchester and Stalybridge and multiple weekends in 2023 and 2024, during which the overhead line equipment was installed.

The line between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge is the first to be fully electrified as part of TRU, with the remainder of the route between Manchester and York set to be electrified in the years to come.

Ross Ashton, TRU senior sponsor, said: "This is another pivotal moment for TRU, bringing us one step closer to a fully electrified trans Pennine route.

"We're delighted that after successful tests, TransPennine Express customers can now travel from Manchester Victoria towards Stalybridge on a cleaner, greener railway.

"We'll be continuing our upgrades across the Pennines and, with successful test runs between Church Fenton and York earlier this year, we look forward to welcoming customer services onto this section of the line by 2026."

TRU has delivered other upgrades between Manchester and Stalybridge as well, with line speed increases as part of track upgrades at Miles Platting, a new higher-speed railway junction at Stalybridge, and 25 new signals which will allow for closer spacing of trains.