Caledonian sleeper loco tender

[Snow1964]

Caledonian Sleeper has issued a tender for locos for 10 years with estimated value of £200m

Wonder what they will go for, has to be suitable for electrified and not electrified lines

Source Find a Tender
Type Contract (Services)
Duration 10 year
Value 200M
Sector TRANSPORT
Published 30 Oct 2025
Delivery To 05 Dec 2035 (est.)
Deadline 05 Dec 2025 17:00

2 buyers​

• Caledonian Sleeper Inverness

Description​

Supply of suitable locomotives and drivers to operate Caledonian Sleeper services between London and Scotland, including operation over electrified and non-electrified routes. Associated maintenance and technical support services under a Traction and Rolling Stock Support and Services Agreement (TSSSA). A contract duration anticipated to align with CSL’s long-term service requirements (indicatively 10 years).

Renewal Options​

TBC Other potential traction related services

Award Criteria​

Locomotive capability and compatibility	30.0
Service delivery plan	30.0
Transition plan	20.0
Contract delivery/Management Plan	20.0
PRICE	60.0

CPV Codes​

• 60200000 - Railway transport services

Indicators​

• Bids should cover the whole contract.
• Options are available.
• Renewals are available.
• Award on basis of price and quality.

Other Information​

The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this PQQ exercise. The Project code is 30464. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-pr... A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: As per ITT (SC Ref:813701)

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2025/W44/857604294

 

[Zomboid]

Is there any reason why GBRF couldn't win and things carry on as they are?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Is there any reason why GBRF couldn't win and things carry on as they are?

Have they not got to comply with fair competition rules and thus put a tender out? Even if GBRF with 99’s were the obvious choice, they have to be seen to exploring all options?

 

[JamesT]

Is there any reason why GBRF couldn't win and things carry on as they are?

I wonder if this indicates some dissatisfaction with GBRF, given they won a 7 year contract for this in 2023?

 

[JonathanH]

Caledonian Sleeper has issued a tender for new locos with estimated value of £200m

It doesn't say they need to be new, just suitable.

 

[ac6000cw]

I read it as a tender for providing 10 years of 'hook and haul' sleeper haulage services, not 'new locos'?

 

[Stephen42]

I read it as a tender for providing 10 years of 'hook and haul' sleeper haulage services, not 'new locos'?

That's my reading too. The find a tender notice and pre-market engagement give a bit more context. The engagement exercise appears to have considered more options with the notice being for traction services (supply of locos and drivers) rather than provision of locos similar to today. The pre-market engagement says from 2030 at end of current contract.

 

[ac6000cw]

Just to clarify, 'The services being sought' from 'Scope of the procurement' section of the pre-market engagement notice:

II.1.4) Short description​

This notice is published by Caledonian Sleeper Limited (CSL) and is intended to advertise a forthcoming market engagement exercise. This is in relation to an intended procurement for the contracted provision of locomotives and associated operational services to CSL due to the current arrangements expiring in 2030. This procurement will be subject to approval from Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The services being sought include:

Provision of new or refurbished locomotives capable of operating with the MK5 fleet over electrified and non-electrified routes

Provision of maintenance, spares and facilities to support the locomotive fleet

Provision of drivers and associated support

Provision of operational control and associated support

This market engagement is open to all entities capable of supplying all or part of the services being sought. The principal aim of this exercise is to understand the potential solutions available to CSL to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of those services and market interest from suitably qualified providers in contracting with CSL to provide those solutions. CSL is open to input and expertise from the market to help shape the successful future of the operation.

CSL intends to undertake further procurement steps as appropriate following completion of market engagement.