With Chiltern Railways announcing earlier this year that it was to take up the lease of the Mark 5A rolling stock, the company has finally had its press launch of the new trains.
Chiltern MK5A train launch at London Marylebone Station – Image, Chiltern Railways
The trains, to be introduced between London and the West Midlands from early 2026, will enable Chiltern to deliver more capacity across each of its West Midlands, Aylesbury, and Oxford routes as part of the operator’s efforts to provide better journeys for customers.
The newest fleet will consist of 13 modern trainsets. The Mark 5A rolling stock was originally ordered by Transpennine Express for use on its services. These trains will replace Chiltern’s oldest carriages, which are nearly 50 years old (refurbished British Rail Mark 3 coaches), with state-of-the-art equivalents, and provide a significant improvement to the on-board experience.
Since their transfer to Chiltern Railways, they have undergone refurbishment and have had a new livery applied.
The trains will include new features for customers, including enhanced Wi-Fi, plug sockets and USB ports at every seat, and digital customer information screens.
Chiltern MK5A train launch – train interior – Image, Chiltern Railways
Customers will also benefit from air conditioning and improved luggage and bike storage.
The trains also deliver significant improvements for customers with accessibility needs, with dedicated areas including fully accessible toilets and better boarding and seating arrangements, ensuring comfortable travel for all passengers.
In Quotes
Richard Allan of Chiltern Railways and Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, on board the Mark 5A train – Image, Chiltern Railways
Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, said:
“We are thrilled for customers that we are replacing our oldest coaches with much newer trains, and as a result we plan to provide 10,000 more seats on our network every weekday from the end of 2026.
“The unveiling of the first of our newest trains at London Marylebone is a positive, tangible sign of better times ahead for customers. There are better on-board facilities and more services planned from the end of 2026, subject to the usual rail industry approval processes.
“We are making good progress with our vision and plan to modernise and decarbonise Chiltern; the next stage is to continue working with Network Rail and the Department of Transport on the business case to replace our 35-year old diesel trains with battery-electric trains.”
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:
“These trains will give a fresh look and greater capacity for Chiltern’s passengers, giving better journeys while using cleaner fuel, and this investment reflects the Government’s unwavering commitment to building a rail industry that Britain needs and deserves as part of its Plan for Change.
“Thanks to Government support, these trains will start to enter service from early next year, bringing easier, greener, and better journeys for millions of passengers.”
More to come
Chiltern Railways ran a charter service between London and Birmingham ahead of the launch, with the great and the good pushing forward their business cases for the new trains to serve their destinations.
More importantly, Chiltern reiterated its ambition to continue working with Network Rail on its joint business case for new battery-electric trains, which would replace the operator’s remaining diesel trains from the early 2030s and be powered by partially electrifying the Chiltern network.
Currently, the Chiltern Line is the only unelectrified line out of London, with the only parts of the line that are electrified being the parts that share with the London Underground.
For now, these new Mark 5A trainsets will be powered by Class 68 locomotives.
Passengers will need to wait until 2026 as the trainsets are phased in. The operator is also working with partners to confirm details of additional timetabled services, which would start in December 2026 with these new trainsets.
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