Yep, at long last!
Surprising that Chiltern didn't think to use it as positive PR▸ before it got out elsewhere
Chiltern's MD has been quoted on this news. Not sure that tallies with the idea of the news getting out elsewhere.
http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/603410-chiltern-invests-15m-on-new-mainline-locomotives.html?news_section=19009RAIL operator Chiltern Railways is investing ^15m in the provision of six new locomotives for use on its Birmingham to London Marylebone services.
The move is part of a programme of continued investment in the Mainline route, which operates from Moor Street Station in Birmingham.
Chiltern will introduce the ^Class 68s^ - the most up-to-date diesel locomotive available in Europe ^ for use with its entire Mainline silver train fleet.
A key aspect of the investment provides scope for future expansion due to superior haulage capability. This will allow Chiltern to increase train lengths should station platforms be extended at a later date.
Chiltern has so far invested ^130m upgrading the Mainline route since its launch in 2011. The intention was to reduce journey times between Moor Street and Marylebone and make the service a viable competitor to the West Coast Mainline.
It offers free Wi-Fi on all trains between the two cities - the first train company to do so ^ and introduced a premium economy service, dubbed Business Zone, which aims to attract business users. In 2012 the company added capacity to the Mainline silver trains and refurbished the carriages to install powered doors. Last year it began a programme of refurbishment of the alternative Mainline trains and this will continue throughout 2014.
Rob Brighouse, managing director of Chiltern Railways said: ^The introduction of new locomotives marks yet another key investment milestone for our Birmingham to London Marylebone route. Their addition not only updates our fleet with the most up-to-date diesel locomotives in the UK▸ , it allows us to prepare for future expansion as demand for our line increases.^
The locos, which weigh around 85 tons each, have been supplied by Carlisle-based rail company Direct Rail Services (DRS▸ ) and are expected to be in operation during winter 2014.
DRS will be providing a full maintenance service to Chiltern Railways and assist in the commissioning of the engines prior to them being introduced for service.
Neil McNicholas, managing director of DRS said: ^Working in partnership we are focused on delivering the highest possible standards to meet Chiltern^s long-term franchise requirements and providing exceptional service delivery to the customer.^
