Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by Mark A at 10:58, 28th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
They're struggling with demand and also with the age of their fleet of trains. A roundup from Chiltern on this link.
Mark
https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/capacity-challenges-2025
Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by ray951 at 11:17, 28th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
According to the Oxford Clarion https://bsky.app/profile/oxfordclarion.bsky.social/post/3lnuhiadpd22q Chiltern have signed a deal to run 10 locomotive hauled Mk5a sets to replace 4 locomotive hauled Mk3 sets.
They were previously used by Trans Pennine Express (TPE). TPE had 13 5 cars sets made up of 4 standard class and 1 first class coach. It is unclear to me whether TPE actual used all the sets as the most number of sets they had running at the same time was 4 and they also suffered from cracks similar to IET.
I assume that as well as replacing the Mk3's they will either replace some existing Class 165/168 services or even some additional services will be added.
Will we see a return of the Oxford Flyers?

Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by Witham Bobby at 11:56, 28th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
They're struggling with demand and also with the age of their fleet of trains. A roundup from Chiltern on this link.
Mark
https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/capacity-challenges-2025
Mark
https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/capacity-challenges-2025
We have been working with the Department for Transport on modernising our fleet since 2021
Chiltern RailwaysF O U R years to not get to a decision yet. And, although I know this should require incredulity, I guess it's actually unsurprising
Are we entiltled to ask what we are paying civil servants in the DfT to do with their time?
Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by IndustryInsider at 12:07, 28th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Painfully slow negotiations again on what should be something fairly easy to solve. The fleet is not being used elsewhere. There is a clear need for the extra capacity.
Look at the fuss and nonsense just to get a few redundant Class 175s to GWR.
Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by ChrisB at 16:38, 28th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I would expect all these to be used on their MainLine (Birmingham/Oxford), allowing the 168s to strengthen the turbo services, so all trains get to be at least 5 coaches (many platforms are only that length)
Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by Mark A at 19:24, 28th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
They're struggling with demand and also with the age of their fleet of trains. A roundup from Chiltern on this link.
Mark
https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/capacity-challenges-2025
Mark
https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/capacity-challenges-2025
We have been working with the Department for Transport on modernising our fleet since 2021
Chiltern RailwaysF O U R years to not get to a decision yet. And, although I know this should require incredulity, I guess it's actually unsurprising
Are we entiltled to ask what we are paying civil servants in the DfT to do with their time?
Six months into the negotiations, an image from that time has surfaced, showing proceedings from the point of view of the applicant.
Mark
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Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by John D at 18:49, 23rd July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Appears an award had happened with Chiltern taking all the mk5s and associated class 68 locos
Contract is recorded as worth £300m and for 144 months
Description
The contracting authority will enter into contracts with the supplier for the supply of existing rolling stock for use on the Chiltern Railways routes. These contracts will be for the leasing by the supplier to the contracting authority of the supplier's full fleet of Mark5A coaches and Class 68 locomotives, for operation by the contracting authority, with associated maintenance.
On 22 December 2023 the contracting authority issued a contract notice - utilities with Notice reference 2023/S 000-037814 for the replacement of existing rolling stock. Beacon Rail Finance (Europe) Limited was the only supplier that could offer rolling stock units that meet the contracting authority's technical requirements of having units able to be utilised in fixed formations of 5 passenger vehicles to enter into passenger service from 31 March 2026 on a turnkey basis.
Under the agreed contract terms, the supplier will be responsible for procuring preventative and corrective maintenance for the units on an interim basis for a period between contract award and 6 December 2026. This will cover services in respect of 4 units to be provided for the purposes of driver training and 3 units to enable passenger service commencement on 1 April 2026. The contracting authority will be responsible for certain train preparation, cleaning, fuelling and minor defect rectification services (as agreed from time to time between the contracting authority and the supplier's maintenance providers) during this interim period and will be a party to the interim service agreement in order to reduce interface risk with its self-delivered services and facilitate the performance and reliability of the units. The contracting authority intends to carry out a separate procurement for the long-term provision of preventative and corrective maintenance over the remainder of the 144 month period.
https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2025/W30/850985284
Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by ChrisB at 19:34, 23rd July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I don't think this has yet been signed off
Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by John D at 20:39, 23rd July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I don't think this has yet been signed off
Publishing the award notice this week on a public tenders site if hadn't signed off doesn't make any sense, why publish the award now if not agreed. Maybe it was done in wrap up before Parliament summer recess.
But if you know it hasn't been signed I accept your superior knowledge.
Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by ChrisB at 20:55, 23rd July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Other Information
** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **
** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **
Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by ChrisB at 21:04, 23rd July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Here you go
Standstill period
End: 31 July 2025
9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
1 August 2025
End: 31 July 2025
9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
1 August 2025
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041655-2025
Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:47, 23rd July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thanks for that detailed update, ChrisB.

Re: Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services Posted by ellendune at 22:17, 23rd July 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I don't think this has yet been signed off
Publishing the award notice this week on a public tenders site if hadn't signed off doesn't make any sense, why publish the award now if not agreed. Maybe it was done in wrap up before Parliament summer recess.
But if you know it hasn't been signed I accept your superior knowledge.
There is typically a standstill period after an award has been announced. I believe this is a requirement of public procurement law, but I am not an expert on this. It gives a chance for an aggrieved supplier who feels the award is not fair, to lodge a legal challenge before the contract is signed.