Chiltern Railways: an update on rolling stock / services

[whole diary]

[Mark A]

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

[ray951]

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^▸ (Trans Pennine Express)). 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^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)).

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?

[Witham Bobby]

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

We have been working with the Department for Transport on modernising our fleet since 2021

Chiltern Railways

F 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^» (Department for Transport - about) to do with their time?

[IndustryInsider]

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^▸ (Great Western Railway).

[ChrisB]

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)

[Mark A]

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

We have been working with the Department for Transport on modernising our fleet since 2021

Chiltern Railways

F 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^» (Department for Transport - about) 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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