• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Chiltern MK5s Starting 2026 (non speculative updates thread)

Mikey C

Mikey C

Established Member
Joined
11 Feb 2013
Messages
8,259
I saw a Mk5 set at Marylebone this evening as I was arriving. Checking realtime trains it was operating the 1837 to Stourbridge, pulled by 68032.

The standard class carriages were all full. As can be seen, the 1st class carriage was virtually empty!

20260305_182958.jpg
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Kite159

Kite159

Veteran Member
Joined
27 Jan 2014
Messages
22,774
Location
West of Andover
Mikey C said:
I saw a Mk5 set at Marylebone this evening as I was arriving. Checking realtime trains it was operating the 1837 to Stourbridge, pulled by 68032.

The standard class carriages were all full. As can be seen, the 1st class carriage was virtually empty!

View attachment 199668
Click to expand...
I noticed similar on Monday morning when the 08;07 service passed another loco hauled set at Banbury. Standard class looked busy with a couple bodies in the posh seats.

Certainly on that service when it arrived at Moor Street, 1st class was empty other than a passenger with wheelchair (who probably was lonely sitting in an empty coach all by himself)
 
8

800002

Member
Joined
19 Jun 2019
Messages
1,119
Mikey C said:
The standard class carriages were all full. As can be seen, the 1st class carriage was virtually empty!
Click to expand...
This is standard on occasions.

The 18.37 has been much busier.

(Pun Intended).
Half empty first, remaining as first class.
 
N

Nippy

Member
Joined
13 Aug 2013
Messages
740
I personally found the 1st class seats very uncomfortable, I got on at Marylebone prepared to pay the upgrade. I sat for a few minutes, then got up and went to standard. The headrest in particular did not suit me. Sad to say I bailed out at Leamington as I found the ride quality and train to be pretty poor.
 
E

ED73

Member
Joined
11 Nov 2022
Messages
107
Location
Hampshire
Set 06 currently on the move from Long Marston to Eastleigh with 68026. Reported as usual formation with 12806 rather than 12802. Confirmed sightings would be welcome. Thanks.
 
8

800002

Member
Joined
19 Jun 2019
Messages
1,119
ED73 said:
Set 06 currently on the move from Long Marston to Eastleigh with 68026. Reported as usual formation with 12806 rather than 12802. Confirmed sightings would be welcome. Thanks.
Click to expand...
As fair as I am aware, 12802 is defefective in some manner.
12806 would indeed be in its rightful formation.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Nippy said:
I personally found the 1st class seats very uncomfortable, I got on at Marylebone prepared to pay the upgrade. I sat for a few minutes, then got up and went to standard. The headrest in particular did not suit me. Sad to say I bailed out at Leamington as I found the ride quality and train to be pretty poor.
Click to expand...
Digging into the shoulder blades and general construction of the upper back / neck and shoulders area?

Pretty much the same as the refurbed Cl.168 units - both require a slight slouch in posture to accomdate ones frame within tbe seat cushions.
 
FrodshamJnct

FrodshamJnct

Established Member
Joined
14 Apr 2019
Messages
4,424
Location
Cheshire
ED73 said:
Set 06 currently on the move from Long Marston to Eastleigh with 68026. Reported as usual formation with 12806 rather than 12802. Confirmed sightings would be welcome. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Coaches are:

11506 12716 12717 12718 12806
 
F

FrontSideBus

On Moderation
Joined
11 Feb 2025
Messages
451
Were these coaches properly cleaned before entering service with Chiltern? I've seen some photos and they look filthy, surely that doesn't happen in such short time In service?
 
N

Nippy

Member
Joined
13 Aug 2013
Messages
740
800002 said:
Digging into the shoulder blades and general construction of the upper back / neck and shoulders area?

Pretty much the same as the refurbed Cl.168 units - both require a slight slouch in posture to accomdate ones frame within tbe seat cushions.
Click to expand...
Yeah that. Digs into the shoulder blade area.
 
duffield

duffield

Established Member
Joined
31 Jul 2013
Messages
3,282
Location
East Midlands
Nippy said:
I personally found the 1st class seats very uncomfortable, I got on at Marylebone prepared to pay the upgrade. I sat for a few minutes, then got up and went to standard. The headrest in particular did not suit me. Sad to say I bailed out at Leamington as I found the ride quality and train to be pretty poor.
Click to expand...
I really hate headrests in 1st, they're always in the wrong, uncomfortable position for me even when they allow adjustment, and I'm not extremely short or tall (6'2").
 
8

800002

Member
Joined
19 Jun 2019
Messages
1,119
CR165022 said:
Current MK5 services are:

M-F
1H08, 1R17, 1H33, 1J47
1H25, 1R25, 1H48, 1J55

S
1H17, 1J59

Su
1H31, 1J55
Click to expand...
Afraid this now needs an update.
The final mk3 passenger departure from Marylebone was last Thursday, if another 68 + Mk3 is now at Burton?
 
CR165022

CR165022

Established Member
Joined
12 Nov 2019
Messages
1,395
Location
Buckinghamshire
There were 2 kept for the Risborough services but one of those has also now been stored. We'll see tomorrow if the final set comes back out or not
 
S

sammyg901

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2009
Messages
439
I can't remember which day but I saw on Journeycheck the 18.37 having First Class declassified , seems like this could be a "problem" train until the Dec rewrite (though I imagine it is OK after the Haddenham and Thame Parkway call)
 
C

Covshire1

Member
Joined
4 Jan 2018
Messages
305
On Wednesday the pairings out were:
68032 + CH13
68029 + CH02
68020 + CH05
68011 + AL04
68022 + CH12
68030 + CH10
68024 + CH03
 
CR165022

CR165022

Established Member
Joined
12 Nov 2019
Messages
1,395
Location
Buckinghamshire
Would seem like 68018 will be moving to Banbury on the 16th. It's a light loco move so technically could be anything but the headcode is 0Z18, suggesting it's 68018.

Realtime Trains | 0Z18 0740 Crewe Gresty Bridge (Drs) to Banbury Depot | 16/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 0Z18 0740 departure from Crewe Gresty Bridge (Drs) to Banbury Depot on 16/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk
 
1

172007

Member
Joined
2 Jan 2021
Messages
1,150
Location
West Mids
CR165022 said:
Would seem like 68018 will be moving to Banbury on the 16th. It's a light loco move so technically could be anything but the headcode is 0Z18, suggesting it's 68018.

Realtime Trains | 0Z18 0740 Crewe Gresty Bridge (Drs) to Banbury Depot | 16/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 0Z18 0740 departure from Crewe Gresty Bridge (Drs) to Banbury Depot on 16/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Click to expand...
0Z18 then went to Stourbrodge depot.
 
1

172007

Member
Joined
2 Jan 2021
Messages
1,150
Location
West Mids
68018 deffinately at Stourbridge Depot as the Railway Herald has a photo of it passinf lapworth.

Any details as to when once the 3rd set starts running tomorrow as to when a 4th set commences and is 68018 at Stourbridge as a Thunderbird for when this happens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top