British Rail Class 781

British Rail Class 781
Replaced	Class 769 (Planned) [1]
Number built	32 (Planned as of September 2025) [2]
Fleet numbers	TBA
Capacity	265 seats (Planned as of September 2025) [2]
Operators	Northern Trains
Specifications
Train length	92 m (301 ft 10 in) (Planned as of September 2025) [2]
Maximum speed	100 mph (160 km/h) (Planned as of September 2025) [2]
Axle load	Route Availability 3 (Planned as of 2025) [2]
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Current collection	Pantograph
Safety system(s)	AWS TPWS
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 781 is a planned fleet of four-car battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains to be built for Northern Trains.

History

In August 2023, Northern issued a tender to acquire a contract for up to 450 new trains to replace the older rolling stock in their fleet. ^[3] A more detailed tender for up to 329 new trains was issued in 2024, ^[4] and in January 2025, it was revealed that Northern had shortlisted five companies to build its new fleet - Alstom, CAF, Hitachi, Siemens and Stadler. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

Contracts are expected to be awarded in 2026, with the first units delivered by 2032. ^[2]

In September 2025, Modern Railways reported that the TOPS number 781 is reserved for the planned new BEMU fleet. ^[2]

References

1. Clinnick, Richard. "Northern new train fleet introduction plans revealed". Modern Railways. Key Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
2. Clinnick, Richard (October 2025). "Northern Revolution". Modern Railways . Vol. 82, no. 925. p. 11.
3. "Supply of New Rolling Stock and Maintenance Support Services - Find a Tender". www.find-tender.service.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
4. Dunn, Pip (29 May 2024). "Northern invites tenders for up to 329 new trains". Network News. Rail Magazine . No. 1010. pp. 20–21.
5. "Northern Rail invites five manufacturers for 450 trains". Railway Pro. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
6. "Northern's new trains". Northern Trains.
7. Wilcock, Rich (17 January 2025). "Northern begins negotiations with manufacturers for 450 new trains". Rail Magazine.