Upgrading the Chiltern Line

[swt_passenger]

You get this hypocrisy in Milton Keynes, which is funny as the logical extension of "don't build houses on that field" is "your own house shouldn't have been built". Only those who lived in the New Town area before designation gets to complain really.

I get this in South Hampshire. I’m living in a 30 year old house, in a development of about 40 that filled a single field. Get doorstepped by a young lady asking me to object to a similar development in an adjacent field. I replied that that would be against the stated local HCC plan anyway, but how could I legitimately object to something I’d already been a party to myself?

 

[Mgameing123]

Perhaps not for central Birmingham. You’d probably save 20-30 mins from High Wycombe by using HS2, for more effort and cost. For anything beyond Birmingham or for the airport, it would surely be worth it.

But why not take Chiltern to Moor Street and change there?

 

[MatthewHutton]

That’s more specific than any prediction I’ve seen before, how was it made?

Ok so 5 isn’t right. But I do think you can work it out.

If you look at realtimetrains the time from Marylebone to South Ruislip is typically 11.5 minutes.

Old Oak Common to South Ruislip is 6.65 miles - assuming instant acceleration to 100mph you could do it in 4 minutes, so call it 5.5 with the current rolling stock or 6 minutes with allowances for performance. That is 5.5 minutes quicker than Marylebone.

Then you have what 4.5-5 minutes as a trip time from Paddington to Old Oak Common vs 4-4.5 today with the stop?

If we assume interchange time at Old Oak Common and Marylebone to the tube are the same (and likely Old Oak Common will be a bit slower) then you’re talking maybe 6-7 minutes slower to go via Marylebone to e.g Canary Wharf?

You are also assuming it’s worth upgrading the line to Old Oak Common to 100mph. If it isn’t upgraded then the gain will be smaller.

You’re also assuming it isn’t possible/sensible to upgrade the approach into Marylebone once the 75mph class 165s are retired.

 

[md2016]

But why not take Chiltern to Moor Street and change there?

You can, but you'd be adding more than half an hour extra, with less flexibility. If you can navigate tubes quickly, it's already quicker to do High Wycombe > Euston > Manchester than heading north from High Wycombe.

 

[MatthewHutton]

You can, but you'd be adding more than half an hour extra to the airport or an hour to Manchester. If you can navigate tubes quickly, it's already quicker to do High Wycombe > Euston > Manchester than heading north from High Wycombe.

Also it’s probably 2 hours from High Wycombe station to boarding a train at Curzon street vs 3 hours by road from High Wycombe to Manchester Piccadilly.

 

[squingo44]

Local opposition to building dense housing around transport hubs can be blunted, even ignored, by changes in planning legislation. We already have the presumption of approval for developments within 1km of stations receiving >4TPH service, but we can take it even further in future if necessary.

I don’t think that local opposition is an insurmountable obstacle to transport development schemes. Especially ones that are bound to be incredibly popular once they open, like an Elizabeth branch line to High Wycombe would be.

 

[Mgameing123]

Local opposition to building dense housing around transport hubs can be blunted, even ignored, by changes in planning legislation. We already have the presumption of approval for developments within 1km of stations receiving >4TPH service, but we can take it even further in future if necessary.

I don’t think that local opposition is an insurmountable obstacle to transport development schemes. Especially ones that are bound to be incredibly popular once they open, like an Elizabeth branch line to High Wycombe would be.

Besides. High Wycombe town center is so ugly. New development would be absolutely brilliant!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Besides. High Wycombe town center is so ugly. New development would be absolutely brilliant!

Wycombe and Aylesbury are probably your big exceptions - neither is particularly nice nor would it be blighted by construction or redevelopment.

 

[SynthD]

High Wycombe currently has 4tph towards London in this hour. Are there any applications to knock down something old and build big thanks to that new rule?

 

[MrJeeves]

I see Chiltern are hiring for a Programme Lead role with an interesting job description.

Role: Programme Lead - BEMU
Location: Marylebone Station, London
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract - 12 Months
Salary: Up to £85,000 per annum

Role Purpose
Chiltern Railways is playing a key role in a pioneering multi operator Battery Electric Train (BEMU) programme that will help decarbonise rail services, modernise fleet operations, and improve the passenger experience across the network. We are seeking a Programme Lead to represent Chiltern’s interests, coordinate our internal readiness, and ensure seamless integration with the wider cross industry programme.

This is a high-profile, strategically important role that sits at the intersection of fleet engineering, operations, commercial strategy, and industry collaboration. You will act as Chiltern’s senior interface to partner operators, Network Rail, rolling stock manufacturers, and government bodies, ensuring our requirements are understood, our risks are managed, and our ambitions are realised.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership for Chiltern

• Lead Chiltern Railways’ involvement in the multi operator BEMU programme, shaping our strategic position and ensuring alignment with our long-term fleet and decarbonisation strategy.
• Translate the cross industry programme vision into a clear internal roadmap for Chiltern, covering fleet, depots, operations, commercial, and customer impacts.

Cross Industry Coordination

• Serve as Chiltern’s primary representative in multi-operator governance forums, technical working groups, and programme boards.
• Ensure Chiltern’s operational, engineering, and commercial requirements are reflected in shared specifications, standards, and decisions.
• Build strong relationships with partner TOCs, Network Rail, manufacturers, and DfT stakeholders.

Fleet, Infrastructure & Operational Integration

• Oversee the development of Chiltern specific requirements for battery electric rolling stock, charging infrastructure, depot modifications, and operational deployment.
• Coordinate operational readiness activities including driver training, maintenance capability, timetable planning, and safety validation.
• Ensure seamless integration of battery electric operations into Chiltern’s existing service patterns and performance commitments.

Governance, Assurance & Risk Management

• Establish and lead Chiltern’s internal governance structure for the programme, ensuring clear decision-making and reporting.
• Identify and manage risks, issues, and dependencies affecting Chiltern’s readiness or programme outcomes.
• Provide regular updates to Chiltern’s Executive Team and Board, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.

Commercial & Financial Oversight

• Support procurement and commercial negotiations related to rolling stock, infrastructure, and supporting services.
• Oversee Chiltern’s programme budget, cost forecasts, and funding submissions.
• Ensure value for money and alignment with contractual and regulatory obligations.

Safety, Sustainability & Innovation

• Champion Chiltern’s safety culture, ensuring all activities meet industry safety and compliance standards.
• Embed sustainability principles across fleet, infrastructure, and operational planning.
• Promote innovation in energy management, passenger experience, and operational efficiency.

Person Specification
You’ll excel in this role if you combine strategic thinking with hands-on programme leadership, and if you’re energised by working across organisational boundaries to deliver something genuinely transformative for the railway.


Essential Experience

• Proven leadership in major fleet, rolling stock, or rail infrastructure programmes.
• Strong understanding of railway operations, engineering, and safety frameworks.
• Experience working across multiple stakeholders with differing priorities.
• Demonstrable expertise in programme governance, risk management, and delivery assurance.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills at senior levels.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with alternative traction technologies (battery, hydrogen, hybrid, or electrification).
• Knowledge of depot strategy, fleet introduction, or operational readiness planning.
• Experience working with DfT, Network Rail, or cross industry programme structures.
• Background in fleet procurement or commercial contract management.

What You’ll Bring

• A collaborative mindset and the ability to build trust across diverse partners.
• Strategic clarity paired with disciplined delivery.
• Confidence in leading technical, operational, and commercial discussions.
• A passion for decarbonisation, innovation, and improving the passenger experience.
• Calm, authoritative leadership in a complex, fast‑moving environment.

https://ce0834li.webitrent.com/ce0834li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=68317141Hv&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=551387A3v6

 

[Mikey C]

Interesting, though bizarre to not mention GBR, seeing that Chiltern will come under public ownership at the end of September.

It is a massive project though, as you need to coordinate the introduction of the trains with the installation of the necessary infrastructure.

 

[Zomboid]

Interesting, though bizarre to not mention GBR, seeing that Chiltern will come under public ownership at the end of September.

It is a massive project though, as you need to coordinate the introduction of the trains with the installation of the necessary infrastructure.

It's a job that'll take someone more than the fixed 12 month term...

 

[BrianW]

https://ce0834li.webitrent.com/ce0834li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=68317141Hv

[/QUOTE]

I see Chiltern are hiring for a Programme Lead role with an interesting job description.

https://ce0834li.webitrent.com/ce0834li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=68317141Hv

Interesting, though bizarre to not mention GBR, seeing that Chiltern will come under public ownership at the end of September.

It is a massive project though, as you need to coordinate the introduction of the trains with the installation of the necessary infrastructure.

Might TUPE come into it?
There will need to be a lot of '#transitional arrangements' as TOCs and 'staff' and stuff come into GBR.

It seems to be a 'role' very much needed for what is currently 'Chiltern' and 'East West Rail' (and for that matter many an 'improvement' and/or 'integrating' role 'going forward'.

What about, for instance, a 'grand project' for electrifying Derby- 'the home/ centre of GBR'? Another thread maybe?