Chiltern MK5s Starting 2026 (non speculative updates thread)

[FrontSideBus]

Now wouldn't that be something!

 

[sjpowermac]

Out of pure curiosity. Could a 37 technically be upgraded to be controlled from a Mk5 rake?

Given enough money, most things are possible. It has been a hard enough job though making the Class 68s work with Mk5A without starting out with a different class of loco

 

[camerar1]

68026 now in Chiltern scheme, took set TP03 (to be CH03) into Eastleigh Works today. It then collected set CH06 and removed it to the T&RSMD.

Photo coverage.

 

[The_Train]

68030 is now in Chiltern Blue as well

 

[CR165022]

How come all the test runs along the CML are running under Q headcodes now? They weren't before.

 

[The exile]

If there is a daily path to/from Eastleigh, wouldn't it be a more ethical Carbon if it was run in passenger service?

(This probably has potential for a speculative discussion thread across all stock moves for maintenance.)

There might be a daily path available - but that doesn’t mean the train will run daily. Even if it did, running it in service would mean it couldn’t run early - and would need different crewing arrangements.

 

[fgwrich]

Another set has been delivered to Eastleigh tonight behind 37884. This time it was one of the sets left at Longsight which has been taken south (CH3 or CH11).

Realtime Trains | 5Q87 1125 Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) | 07/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q87 1125 departure from Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) on 07/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[warwickshire]

Another set has been delivered to Eastleigh tonight behind 37884. This time it was one of the sets left at Longsight which has been taken south (CH3 or CH11).

Realtime Trains | 5Q87 1125 Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) | 07/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q87 1125 departure from Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) on 07/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It was CH11, CH03 was taken, on Friday 31st October 2025, by 37800,
Only unbranded set CH08 remains at Longsight with 68019, 68023,

Its possible 68019 68023 are now off lease, or awaiting modifications, or acceptance to chiltern, and could well be moved to Leicester Loughbourgh Works, or Eastleigh Works, by a move in the near future, to prepare entry for Chiltern use.
because likewise with these, two locomotoives above, one of them would have done the above move today.

Usually up until Around Late July 2025, from around mid May 2024 those two undbranded 68s, was reqular locomotives on the Longsight to Long Marston Mk5 runs,

Meanwhile
0Z21 0718 Crewe Drs Depot to Eastliegh
Saw 68021 unbranded being transferred over today as well, which was undertaken by Drs.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Another set has been delivered to Eastleigh tonight behind 37884. This time it was one of the sets left at Longsight which has been taken south (CH3 or CH11).

Realtime Trains | 5Q87 1125 Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) | 07/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q87 1125 departure from Longsight T.M.D. (D) to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) on 07/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Looks to be TP08 11 according to this :-

.......................

37884 GROG LSIGHTDMD 325Q871I07 V * ELGHARLTN N

With consist

11508 12722 12723 12724 12808

Dan

UPDATE 09/11/2025
Sytems now showing set 11 no longer 08.

 

[warwickshire]

Looks to be TP08 according to this :-

It was CH11, witnessed it at Lapworth Warwickshire directly behind
6X01 1018 Scunthorpe to Eastleigh Gbrf service, consiting of 66799, 66790, 66206 ,
A eventful 5 minutes just after 1600 pm,

 

[PLY2AYS]

One of the new vinyled locos is currently at Aylesbury getting tires turned I believe.

Will report back when I find out more. One was detached and replaced by the unvinyled loco at Wembley on one of the Mk V sets yesterday. So I imagine it will be that loco with a DVT.

*EDIT: confirmed to be 68022

 

[Peter Sarf]

It was CH11, witnessed it at Lapworth Warwickshire directly behind
6X01 1018 Scunthorpe to Eastleigh Gbrf service, consiting of 66799, 66790, 66206 ,
A eventful 5 minutes just after 1600 pm,

I guess maybe TP08 was entered on the system but then TP11 was substituted ?.
Istr these were the only two sets at Longsight.

UPDATE 09/11/2025
Confirmed set 11, apparently the system has been updated since the original request for info.
I suppose a late change of plan.

 

[warwickshire]

I guess maybe TP08 was entered on the system but then TP11 was substituted ?.
Istr these were the only two sets at Longsight.

Yes, that is correct. Very soon, Longsight will have no more left,

 

[Peter Sarf]

Yes, that is correct. Very soon, Longsight will have no more left,

That just leaves the pesky loose end.
A long term resident at Long Marston - 12802 !.

 

[nigelsporne]

What happened to TP01? Is that still in Wolverton or has it left?

 

[Suraggu]

What happened to TP01? Is that still in Wolverton or has it left?

At present yes.

 

[PLY2AYS]

68022 was conducted off of Aylesbury depot this evening, with a Mk3 coach and 68014 (HVO Green vinyl) leading towards Wembley Depot via Princes Risborough

(My first time in a Class 68 and infinitely more techy than the Class 43s I used to drive)

Photo below shows 68022 Number 1 (north) end with rear tail lights lit in Headshunt 1 at Aylesbury Depot. Taken of course, from a position of safety:

 

[amazon1675]

37800 plus CH08 at Eastleigh this evening forming 5Q86 09.27 Longsight-Eastleigh Works.This just leaves CH01 at Wolverton Works to come south.

 

[88003]

CH01 will come north to Longsight first, probably next week

 

[alanc]

Can anyone please advise when sets CH04 and CH07 arrived at Eastleigh ?
Many thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2025 ==

Can someone please advise when CH04 and CH07 moved to Eastleigh?
MTIA

 

[wickham]

Can anyone please advise when sets CH04 and CH07 arrived at Eastleigh ?
Many thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2025 ==

Can someone please advise when CH04 and CH07 moved to Eastleigh?
MTIA

I have CH04 arriving Eastleigh 30.09.25 and CH07 22.09.25:

 

[alanc]

I have CH04 arriving Eastleigh 30.09.25 and CH07 22.09.25:

Many thanks

 

[172007]

So if understand this right Chiltern have all sets except TP01/CH01 which is at Wolverton. Potentialy in December all 13 sets will be available for Training / service except for ones on routine maintenance at Eastleigh.

Whats the status of the 68's. All have noise abatement modifications or are some still at Loughborough or need arrive there.

Very impressive of Chiltern if this is the case.

 

[BanburyBlue]

So if understand this right Chiltern have all sets except TP01/CH01 which is at Wolverton. Potentialy in December all 13 sets will be available for Training / service except for ones on routine maintenance at Eastleigh.

Whats the status of the 68's. All have noise abatement modifications or are some still at Loughborough or need arrive there.

Very impressive of Chiltern if this is the case.

Interesting. My office overlooks Birmingham Snow Hill station. The only trains I can ever ‘hear’ are 68’s. I always try and bag a desk by the window overlooking the north end of the station. Of course, I get stuck into work so head down. The only time a train comes to my attention is a 68 - and I’m on the 13th floor!

 

[aron2smith]

I saw one parked in a siding near Wembley Stadium, very nice looking train. Loved the colour!

 

[172007]

Interesting. My office overlooks Birmingham Snow Hill station. The only trains I can ever ‘hear’ are 68’s. I always try and bag a desk by the window overlooking the north end of the station. Of course, I get stuck into work so head down. The only time a train comes to my attention is a 68 - and I’m on the 13th floor!

Try and listen out for the difference in sound beteen the ex TPE vs current Chiltern 68's. One of the current mk3 68's appears to have the mod too so assume that was the trial loco.

They still are loud but the best comparison beteen modified and un-modified is like the difference between a millitary aircraft using reheat vs dry thrust. Less raspy which i assume were the sound frequencys which were the cause of complaints by residents at Marylebone

 

[BanburyBlue]

Try and listen out for the difference in sound beteen the ex TPE vs current Chiltern 68's. One of the current mk3 68's appears to have the mod too so assume that was the trial loco.

They still are loud but the best comparison beteen modified and un-modified is like the difference between a millitary aircraft using reheat vs dry thrust. Less raspy which i assume were the sound frequencys which were the cause of complaints by residents at Marylebone

Will do - something to wind the hours down.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Will do - something to wind the hours down.

Ideally of course you will miss the modified ones - too quiet.

 

[778]

37800 plus CH08 at Eastleigh this evening forming 5Q86 09.27 Longsight-Eastleigh Works.This just leaves CH01 at Wolverton Works to come south.

Are the driving trailers of the 5A sets compatible with a 37?

 

[sjpowermac]

Are the driving trailers of the 5A sets compatible with a 37?

The coupling is hook and shackle, brakes are standard air break.So for hauling the Mk5A stock yes, the Class 37 is compatible. Where a modified loco is needed (68019-32 for the Chiltern contract) is in order to communicate with the Driving Trailer and stock for passenger operation. Hope that helps