Elizabeth line ‘345s’ offer a lifeline for Derby Works

Alstom's Derby works could be saved by an order for ten Class 345 nine-car electric multiple units (EMUs) for the Elizabeth line - but only if the ‘price is right’.

The order would help to bridge the gap at the now empty factory, which delivered its last train on March 21, before the start of work on HS2 trains which Transport Secretary Mark Harper said will be in “early 2026”.

It follows extensive public, industry and political pressure on Harper, after news that Alstom had started redundancy consultation for its 1,300 manufacturing staff at the Litchurch Lane site (RAIL 1007).

Unless averted, Derby’s closure will also affect 12,000 jobs in the wider UK supply chain. An estimated 2,000 jobs have already been lost as Alstom’s suppliers start to close, following the end of the previous order for 2,500 Aventra EMU vehicles.

Derby’s closure would leave the UK as the only G7 nation unable to design and build trains.

In a letter to Derby North MP Amanda Solloway on April 16, Harper disclosed that the Department for Transport has “secured approval in principle” to fund a further five Class 345s, in addition to funding for five units “confirmed in March” and “subject to confirming a business case”.

Reporting to Solloway on his meeting on April 15 with Alstom UK & Ireland MD Nick Crossfield and Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Harper said he “made it clear” that the “onus is on Alstom” to provide “competitive prices and full transparency on its costings” to enable this to “progress to a satisfactory and swift” conclusion.

Although reopening the production line for just 19 vehicles would not be sufficient to keep the factory running, Crossfield said that a smaller order would enable Alstom to transfer work from elsewhere in the group into Derby, to bridge the gap.

With passenger growth on the Elizabeth line ahead of predictions, the existing 70-strong Aventra fleet will be insufficient to meet demand.

Additionally, High Speed 2’s under-construction Old Oak Common station will be a direct interchange for Elizabeth line trains from 2029. With last October’s decision to make Old Oak Common (rather than Euston) the terminus for HS2 from Birmingham, this will further increase passenger demand.

It is widely argued that a follow-on Aventra order will be the most cost-effective solution, as well as retaining a single-design fleet to simplify operation and maintenance.

Crossfield has already promised that if Derby remains open, it could become the Alstom Group’s centre for the design and development of the new Adessia EMU platform - the Aventra’s successor, also designed in the same office.(RAIL 1007).

Harper has now demanded confirmation from Alstom of this in writing. The letter must include confirmation of Alstom’s “long-term commitment to invest in Derby, including that it will host the design, development and manufacture of its new Adessia EMU, at Litchurch Lan..”

Harper also repeated his assertion that there is a “strong pipeline of orders” for new trains over the next “two to three years” although no tenders have yet gone to the market.

While Alstom is not commenting, the Railway Industry Association (RIA) welcomed the news the parties are “close to a deal for new trains, although no agreement has yet been reached”.

Calling on the DfT to “urgently bring forward invitations to tender for new procurements”, RIA CEO Darren Caplan added: “Suppliers across the UK will hope current discussions between ministers and all train manufacturers achieve a positive outcome.

“The future of rail businesses of all sizes, factories and jobs depends on the decisions taken by the Government now.”