Chiltern MK5s Starting 2026 (non speculative updates thread)

[CR165022]

A third set has already been running for the past few weeks

 

[800002]

The last set (Mk5a) for this terms introduction is this week, by post on other thread

From next week that diagram will change to support. Train planning were able to make changes to support Thursday for this week additionally.
1H12 is a very busy service so moving the capacity around.

I wouldn't be surprised is the loco at Stourbridge is for more training.
They'll be three Mk5a sets there each night, so an additional loco for training would make sense. There are uch better places to send a thunderbird, surely.

 

[dooton]

The last set (Mk5a) for this terms introduction is this week, by post on other thread



I wouldn't be surprised is the loco at Stourbridge is for more training.
They'll be three Mk5a sets there each night, so an additional loco for training would make sense. There are uch better places to send a thunderbird, surely.

Its mainly there for training as new drivers to LHCS services require light loco handling as part of their course. However having a thunderbird in the north with trained drivers onsite most of the day is always an added benefit.

 

[CR165022]

Is there a reason why only 68020 & 68032 are showing as allocated? The third set, which I believe has 68029, has been running unallocated for weeks now.

 

[800002]

Is there a reason why only 68020 & 68032 are showing as allocated? The third set, which I believe has 68029, has been running unallocated for weeks now.

Probably.
There usually  is a little logic behind the issue.
for what ever reason, their not showing.
Operators shouldnt be running anything on the network which is not consisted (has a vehicle allocation with unit / loco info and train length / weight).

 

[43 302]

Why would it go to Stourbridge?

To be used for light loco handling for drivers who don't sign LHCS yet.

 

[Snow1964]

Chiltern has issued set of tender notices for maintenance after the interim period to 1st December 2026, by which date all 13 sets and 14 class 68 locos are to be in service.

Looks like they are looking for maintenance partner or base for 10 years

Description​

The Chiltern Railways Company is in process of cascading its fleet of 13*5 car sets of Mk5a Coaches and 14*c68 Locomotive units on its London Marylebone to Birmingham route during 2026, with the full complement of rolling stock to be in service by 1st December 2026. The units are leased from Beacon Rail Leasing and are currently being maintained under an interim maintenance agreement between Chiltern Railways and Beacon Rail Leasing until 1st December 2026.
Under the existing maintenance structure, the Mk5a Coaches are being maintained by the OEM alongside a TSSSA, the maintenance of the c68 Locomotives is being undertaken by a non-OEM 3rd party who also operate the c68 TSSSA. The maintenance works are being undertaken at the Eastleigh Train Maintenance Depot, with vehicle movements to and from the depot being provided by a 3rd party supplier.
As part of the long-term maintenance contract renewal post 1st December 2026, Chiltern Railways is seeking to understand market readiness and the available contracting options, which may inform its long-term procurement strategy and most optimal route to market, which may be informed by this preliminary market engagement process.

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2026/W12/866713717

 

[MerlinRail 804]

Looks like AL04 going up for storage tomorrow:

Realtime Trains | 5D03 1134 Wembley Lmd to Burton Ot W Yd Maurice H | 19/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5D03 1134 departure from Wembley Lmd to Burton Ot W Yd Maurice H on 19/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I’m guessing it won’t be running 1H12 from Risborough tomorrow morning before that though?

 

[37052 xb mr]

Looks like AL04 going up for storage tomorrow:

Realtime Trains | 5D03 1134 Wembley Lmd to Burton Ot W Yd Maurice H | 19/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5D03 1134 departure from Wembley Lmd to Burton Ot W Yd Maurice H on 19/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I’m guessing it won’t be running 1H12 from Risborough tomorrow morning before that though?

Today was the last Mk3 run

 

[800002]

Looks like AL04 going up for storage tomorrow:

Realtime Trains | 5D03 1134 Wembley Lmd to Burton Ot W Yd Maurice H | 19/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5D03 1134 departure from Wembley Lmd to Burton Ot W Yd Maurice H on 19/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I’m guessing it won’t be running 1H12 from Risborough tomorrow morning before that though?

It's all the remaining Mk3 vehicles including long term sick DVTs and Coach plus both Chiltern / Mk3 Locos going off.
Locos push off to Crewe after getting to Burton.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Mar 2026 ==

I’m guessing it won’t be running 1H12 from Risborough tomorrow morning before that though?

1H12 will also no longer be loco hauled.

 

[37052 xb mr]

68011
12619 - 12603 - 12618 - 12614 - 12607 - 10271 - 82309 - 82302 - 12627 - 82303
68012

 

[Jacob Porrett]

End of an era for the silver sets and Mk3s.

 

[Peter Sarf]

End of an era for the silver sets and Mk3s.

Mk3s getting thin on the ground.

On a positive note, all those long term sick DVT being removed must leave room for 12802 maybe ?.

 

[800002]

Mk3s getting thin on the ground.

On a positive note, all those long term sick DVT being removed must leave room for 12802 maybe ?.

I would question if it is in an 'acceptable condition'.
I'm not sure if all the mk5a vehicles have actually passed inspection / milage accumulation to be transferred to Chiltern for use?

 

[172007]

Chiltern has issued set of tender notices for maintenance after the interim period to 1st December 2026, by which date all 13 sets and 14 class 68 locos are to be in service.

Looks like they are looking for maintenance partner or base for 10 years

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2026/W12/866713717

So 68018 i guess is subleased from DRS. When 68018 is in for maintenance i assume another 68 from DRS will be substituted.

Wonder whether Tyseley Depot will have a think at mantaining the Mk5's and 68's. Got to be tempting. Also a good location for it.

 

[CR165022]

So 68018 i guess is subleased from DRS. When 68018 is in for maintenance i assume another 68 from DRS will be substituted.

68018 was already off Lease from DRS, as well as 016 & 017 currently are too. I'd imagine 018 is fully under Chiltern now like 019-032 are.

 

[800002]

Wonder whether Tyseley Depot will have a think at mantaining the Mk5's and 68's. Got to be tempting. Also a good location for it.

There isnt the space ar Tyseley.
Mk5a's have gone in for tyre turning/ lathe but unsure if the 68s can be accommodated at the same time should they require the lathe.

68018 was already off Lease from DRS, as well as 016 & 017 currently are too. I'd imagine 018 is fully under Chiltern now like 019-032 are.

I don't think they're all (the 68s) are under Chiltern control yet.
Another look at the Loco Pool is needed to confirm my suspicion though.

(I think) there are only 7 sets on the books right now that stay under Chiltern control / they can have for service or training. I don't think all the units have been transferred yet (their still surplus to requirements, but that may not actually matter).
There are two or three light locos which are with Chiltern for rescue/ training.

 

[wickham]

Chiltern has issued set of tender notices for maintenance after the interim period to 1st December 2026, by which date all 13 sets and 14 class 68 locos are to be in service.

Looks like they are looking for maintenance partner or base for 10 years

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2026/W12/866713717

It looks like the current arrangements for maintainance at Eastleigh is only temporary then. LSL (for the locos) and CAF (for the carriages) have staff at Eastleigh at present and presumably space/facillities are rented from Arriva Train Care (if they are still the owners of the depot). If this arrangement has been successful, dispite the remoteness from the Chiltern Railways system they might well be in a good place to win the contract - we will see !

 

[CR165022]

I believe 68027 entered service yesterday on 1H10, anyone have any idea of the set that's with it?

 

[ChooChooseMe]

I believe 68027 entered service yesterday on 1H10, anyone have any idea of the set that's with it?

I believe it was CH04

 

[CR165022]

I believe it was CH04

Many thanks. Would definitely seem so, CH04 is allocated to 1J59 tonight, no loco allocated but can only assume its 027.

 

[warwickshire]

Does anyone know please, when did 68024 which is also branded, also in , which did mile and testing accumulation/acceptance tests, on Wednesday and Thursday 18th and 19th March 2026, between Eastleigh and Leamington Spa, with branded set CH03, recieved the same modifications, at UKRL Loughbourgh Brush, works in which, the other previous 68s, ex Tpe went through before acceptance to Chiltern.

Or was the works done at UKRL Leicester instead,

Thank you

 

[800002]

Many thanks. Would definitely seem so, CH04 is allocated to 1J59 tonight, no loco allocated but can only assume its 027.

It was 027 on 1J59 last night / 5R91 + 1I91 this morning ex-Stourbridge Depot

 

[CR165022]

Are there any plans to fit the nameplates that were fitted to 68010, 012, 013 & 015 to any of the other 68s?

 

[alanc]

5q69 from Eastleigh to Banbury this morning.
68034 plus CH03 (I assume) then 68029 plus another 68 still in DRS colours Can anyone help confirm things please ?
Thanks, Alan

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Mar 2026 ==

5q69 from Eastleigh to Banbury this morning.
68034 plus CH03 (I assume) then 68029 plus another 68 still in DRS colours Can anyone help confirm things please ?
Thanks, Alan

That should be 68024 leading, my bad

 

[sjpowermac]

5q69 from Eastleigh to Banbury this morning.
68034 plus CH03 (I assume) then 68029 plus another 68 still in DRS colours Can anyone help confirm things please ?
Thanks, Alan

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Mar 2026 ==


That should be 68024 leading, my bad

5Q69
68024
68029
68028

 

[alanc]

Many thanks indeed

 

[Liam L]

Are there any plans to fit the nameplates that were fitted to 68010, 012, 013 & 015 to any of the other 68s?

Would be very fitting for names to be carried over onto the newer Chiltern locomotives.

Thought Oxford Flyer one probably would make sense as the MK5s probably won't run there in regular service?

 

[172007]

The Open First Mk5a coaches at the loco end have anti ride over grooves which are located half way up the coach. Do class 68's 19 to 32 also have these behind the cabs front skin. I suspect they would be too far back in reality though.

I guess the cab fronts are somekind of resin skin over the steel suoer structure.

Edit: they do to EN 15227

 

[MerlinRail 804]

Not sure if this is correct, but it looks like CH04 was allocated to one of the Gerrards X - Marylebone services this morning:

Realtime Trains | 2H16 0826 Gerrards Cross to London Marylebone | 26/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 2H16 0826 departure from Gerrards Cross to London Marylebone on 26/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It’s now forming 1R25 1102 Marylebone - Moor Street, which is usually formed by 1H25 from Moor Street, (today CH12) which has been cancelled from Solihull. I’m assuming this could have something to do with it maybe?