Chiltern MK5s Starting 2026 (non speculative updates thread)

[xotGD]

plus points

There's a 68 on the front.

(Or back)

 

[43096]

Same here, just the last leg to Stourbridge Junction so no experience of high-speed running (and I felt a right prawn being the only person to remain on the platform for the Kidderminster train). And by the way, I for one am reluctant to call them Mk5s - they weren't built by BREL or its predecessors and have a completely different lineage.

The Mk 4s weren’t built by BREL, so not sure what your point is?

 

[satisnek]

There's a 68 on the front.

(Or back)

Indeed, but one thing I did notice is that the first class passengers get the thrash!

 

[XCTurbostar]

The Mk 4s weren’t built by BREL, so not sure what your point is?

I was under the impression that the Mark number was just a way of displaying difference between passenger carrying stock in a similar sort of way you would with a Mk1 and Mk2 Golf (for example)
It should also be noted that not all Mark 1s were built by BREL either.

 

[satisnek]

The Mk 4s weren’t built by BREL, so not sure what your point is?

Good point, they were assembled by Metro-Cammell according to Wikipedia but BREL did build some of the bodyshells, which keeps them 'in the family', so to speak.

 

[Mikey C]

Vent grilles in window ledges. Er, OK...

I was surprised by those as well, as the other CAFs don't have them. I assume it's because they rehashed the Mk 5 sleeper carriage design?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I was surprised by those as well, as the other CAFs don't have them. I assume it's because they rehashed the Mk 5 sleeper carriage design?

Yep, that's why they are short (22m) vehicles too. It is common in mainland Europe to have the aircon vents there.

 

[philosopher]

Had my first ride in a Mk5 yesterday, and while I've previously been in the CAF 331 and 397, the poor quality (and loudness) of the ride was still a shock, especially as unlike those trains which were running on lines I'm not familiar with, yesterday was on a line I use regularly, so I'm used to how the 165 and 168s cope.

I had my first ride on the Chiltern Mk5 today in standard class. The biggest gripe I had was the seat window alignment, which in common with a lot a new trains is poor. This is quite a big let down compared to the class 168 trains which have perfect seat window alignment.

Another issue I noticed was that there are few airline style seats, which I tend to find is better for those travelling alone and perhaps some couples. To be fair, the lack of airline style seats was also an issue on the Mark 3 carriages they have replaced.

I did not find the lighting to be too much of an issue, but that may be because it was daytime. Ride quality was not great, but I never found it that good on the class 168s either. The seats are definitely less comfortable than those on the class 168s, particularly the backs, however on the plus side they are not very low down and difficult to get out of, unlike those on the former Chiltern Mark 3s.

Probably the biggest plus point is that they have quite a bit of luggage space, due mainly to the mostly table seating which meant larger luggage could be stored between sets of seats.

 

[FrontSideBus]

It's been a few years since I rode in a set but I seem to remember there were more airline seats in different carriages?

 

[172007]

Is 68018 still at Leicester? Any one know whats happening with it. I immagine exhaust reduction work similar to the rest of the Chiltern Fleet.

 

[dooton]

Is 68018 still at Leicester? Any one know whats happening with it. I immagine exhaust reduction work similar to the rest of the Chiltern Fleet.

D Exam. Due back this week.

 

[172007]

D Exam. Due back this week.

Thanks.

 

[47286Dan]

Tuesday morning update

68028 MBDL EGHT RSMD 865Q691F07 V * BANBURY N
Coaches
11506 12716 12717 12718 12806

Dan

 

[The exile]

I was under the impression that the Mark number was just a way of displaying difference between passenger carrying stock in a similar sort of way you would with a Mk1 and Mk2 Golf (for example)
It should also be noted that not all Mark 1s were built by BREL either.

No - but they were all built to the same basic jig.

 

[43 302]

Tuesday morning update

68028 MBDL EGHT RSMD 865Q691F07 V * BANBURY N
Coaches
11506 12716 12717 12718 12806

Dan

68026, not 68028 which is still at Wembley.

 

[Peeled Apples]

Has anyone tried the first class seats on these? If so are they more comfortable?

 

[Adam Williams]

Has anyone tried the first class seats on these?

Yeah; I found it a pleasant, comfortable experience but I've not had the chance to do it enough times to say it's significantly better for sure. Sadly on a 168 as I write this post!

 

[Peeled Apples]

Yeah; I found it a pleasant, comfortable experience but I've not had the chance to do it enough times to say it's significantly better for sure. Sadly on a 168 as I write this post!

I'm planning on travelling back from London on the 19.32 on Saturday and will probably give it a try.

 

[47286Dan]

68026, not 68028 which is still at Wembley.

Yes, there was a TOPS error initially yesterday morning.

Showing the correct info today

68026 MBDL EGHT RSMD 865Q691F08 V * BANBURY N

Dan

 

[Parthia]

Anyone know which locos are attached to which sets please. RTT is only showing the Set number on some sets. Today CH07 is out, with no loco showing, while CH05 is out showing 68020.

Thanks in advance

 

[37052 xb mr]

Anyone know which locos are attached to which sets please. RTT is only showing the Set number on some sets. Today CH07 is out, with no loco showing, while CH05 is out showing 68020.

Thanks in advance

028 on set 7

 

[Nippy]

Yeah; I found it a pleasant, comfortable experience but I've not had the chance to do it enough times to say it's significantly better for sure. Sadly on a 168 as I write this post!

I’m the exact opposite, I found the head rest in first class very uncomfortable - so much I so I moved out before departure from Marylebone and into Standard which was a bit better.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yeah; I found it a pleasant, comfortable experience but I've not had the chance to do it enough times to say it's significantly better for sure. Sadly on a 168 as I write this post!

I personally find 1st quite special on these but Standard utterly mediocre.

 

[CR165022]

68018 ran from Leicester to Wembley this morning, 68028 is running the return path to Leicester

 

[37052 xb mr]

Last Known Location Chiltern 68 & Sets

019 Set 8 (24th March) Eastleigh 5Q86
020 Set 5 (11th April) in service, Stourbridge
022 Set 12 (31st March) Stourbridge 1J47
024 Set 3 (10th April) 3Q72 ?
026 Set 6 (9th April) Eastleigh 5Q86
027 Set 4 (27th March) Wembley 1H77
029 Set 2 (10th April) Stourbridge 1J55
030 Set 10 (10th April) Wembley 3Q90
031 Set 7 (10th April) Wembley loco change
032 Set 13 (7th April) Banbury 1H25 failed

028, (11th April) Wembley - Leicester 0M99

Missing locos
021, Loughborough (25th March)
023, Crewe GB (12th March)
025, Eastleigh (16th March)

Missing sets
1, Long Marston (17th Feb)
9, Long Marston ?
11, Long Marston ?

Dates in ( ) last reported as seen.

Please update or correct,
Thanks

 

[CR165022]

Last Known Location Chiltern 68 & Sets

019 Set 8 (24th March) Eastleigh 5Q86
020 Set 5 (11th April) in service, Stourbridge
022 Set 12 (31st March) Stourbridge 1J47
024 Set 3 (10th April) 3Q72 ?
026 Set 6 (9th April) Eastleigh 5Q86
027 Set 4 (27th March) Wembley 1H77
029 Set 2 (10th April) Stourbridge 1J55
030 Set 10 (10th April) Wembley 3Q90
031 Set 7 (10th April) Wembley loco change
032 Set 13 (7th April) Banbury 1H25 failed

028, (11th April) Wembley - Leicester 0M99

Missing locos
021, Loughborough (25th March)
023, Crewe GB (12th March)
025, Eastleigh (16th March)

Missing sets
1, Long Marston (17th Feb)
9, Long Marston ?
11, Long Marston ?

Dates in ( ) last reported as seen.

Please update or correct,
Thanks

I believe 029 is at Banbury, it ran light to Marylebone and back on the 9th

 

[dooton]

68029 WLMD moves to SBJ 12/04 ECS. Has a door fault so will be driver training only until CAF repair.
68022 Banbury returned from Eastleigh Friday 10th
68027 Eastleigh on Exam
68032 Returns from Eastleigh to Banbury today.

 

[47286Dan]

Today’s move

68032 MBDL EGHT RSMD 865Q691M12 V * BANBRYDEP N
Coaches
11513 12737 12738 12739 12813

Dan

 

[alanc]

Possible dates:-
CH09 seen at Radley 21/10/25
CH11 seen at Radley 07/11/25
Someone with better access that I have to older data might confirm destination(s)
HTH
Alan

 

[37052 xb mr]

Thanks