Chiltern MK5s Starting 2026 (non speculative updates thread)

[BanburyBlue]

So do we know where Chiltern are parking these trains? Do they have room in their various depots for them?

 

[Wyrleybart]

So do we know where Chiltern are parking these trains? Do they have room in their various depots for them?

Good question.
From the PR guff I have seen Chiltern were planning to replace the four Mk3 sets with an equivalent number of Mk5 sets - four. The others would not be introduced until Autumn 2026 or even 2027. Obviously crew training would be needed to get the initial "Mainline" services up and running, so maybe additional sets over and above the initial four, but clearly the Rosco is having Chiltern branding applied to more than the initial four rakes.

So if they are going onto Chiltern's TSC then you would imagine it would be Chiltern's responsibility to stable them. Are there spare sidings at Stourbridge, as Banbury will probably already be busy, and Wembley and Aylsebury will presumably be winding the Mk3 fleet down, but having "double" for the services until the Mk3s are gone.

 

[PLY2AYS]

So do we know where Chiltern are parking these trains? Do they have room in their various depots for them?

Stourbridge, Wembley and (potentially) Banbury.

 

[warwickshire]

Good question.
From the PR guff I have seen Chiltern were planning to replace the four Mk3 sets with an equivalent number of Mk5 sets - four. The others would not be introduced until Autumn 2026 or even 2027. Obviously crew training would be needed to get the initial "Mainline" services up and running, so maybe additional sets over and above the initial four, but clearly the Rosco is having Chiltern branding applied to more than the initial four rakes.

So if they are going onto Chiltern's TSC then you would imagine it would be Chiltern's responsibility to stable them. Are there spare sidings at Stourbridge, as Banbury will probably already be busy, and Wembley and Aylsebury will presumably be winding the Mk3 fleet down, but having "double" for the services until the Mk3s are gone.

Recently, some branded sets, involving 68026 have been returned back to Long Marston, especially set CH06 on Monday 03rd November and Tuesday 04th November, for warm storage for now.
However in due course these will need some acceptance testing like the previous sets did, on the Leamimgton Spa to Didcot Parkway test runs back in the late autumn of this year,

Its quite well possible as time goes on before, December 2026, Long Marston to Eastleigh Tsrmd moves will be commonplace, far more moves will take place place for servicing, than they ever did between Long Marston and Longsight.

Also sets might rotate around, between storage at Long Marston, and use on the full Chiltern services before December 2026, anyway to ensure all sets, will have had reqular and best possible use as well.
Meaning those on test at momment could well swap over with those not in use at momment, in due course.

Meaning a far more succesful outcome, for service entry, and unlike the bad ideas, in which, Transpennine express had, of keeping them in Gasgoine wood sidings, between use, for very long periods and not moving them around, and a year or so later or even longer, when Transpennie Express decided to run them in service again, they was having major issues with them, and scratching their heads, why they didnt work and failed when back in service again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Nov 2025 ==

Recently, some branded sets, involving 68026 have been returned back to Long Marston, especially set CH06 on Monday 03rd November and Tuesday 04th November, for warm storage for now.
However in due course these will need some acceptance testing like the previous sets did, on the Leamimgton Spa to Didcot Parkway test runs back in the late autumn of this year,

Its quite well possible as time goes on before, December 2026, Long Marston to Eastleigh Tsrmd moves will be commonplace, far more moves will take place place for servicing, than they ever did between Long Marston and Longsight.

Also sets might rotate around, between storage at Long Marston, and use on the full Chiltern services before December 2026, anyway to ensure all sets, will have had reqular and best possible use as well.
Meaning those on test at momment could well swap over with those not in use at momment, in due course.

Meaning a far more succesful outcome, for service entry, and unlike the bad ideas, in which, Transpennine express had, of keeping them in Gasgoine wood sidings, between use, for very long periods and not moving them around, and a year or so later or even longer, when Transpennie Express decided to run them in service again, they was having major issues with them, and scratching their heads, why they didnt work and failed when back in service again.

Tuesday 04th November 2025 ref above was 68026, taking newly branded set CH09 into storage at Long Marston.

Also today Tuesday 18th November 2025,
Saw another move 5Q94 0725 Eastleigh to Long Marston involving another set, with Branded Locomotive 68026, however does anyone know please which set was it and was it branded please.

AT the momment branded 68026,locomotive is also at Long Marston,
It appears it might be inolved with the Long Marston to easleigh moves, and possible moving CH06 and CH09 around Long Marston, with Todays latest arrival to keep them active during storage

Kind Regards
Warwickshire

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Nov 2025 ==

Recently, some branded sets, involving 68026 have been returned back to Long Marston, especially set CH06 on Monday 03rd November and Tuesday 04th November, for warm storage for now.
However in due course these will need some acceptance testing like the previous sets did, on the Leamimgton Spa to Didcot Parkway test runs back in the late autumn of this year,

Its quite well possible as time goes on before, December 2026, Long Marston to Eastleigh Tsrmd moves will be commonplace, far more moves will take place place for servicing, than they ever did between Long Marston and Longsight.

Also sets might rotate around, between storage at Long Marston, and use on the full Chiltern services before December 2026, anyway to ensure all sets, will have had reqular and best possible use as well.
Meaning those on test at momment could well swap over with those not in use at momment, in due course.

Meaning a far more succesful outcome, for service entry, and unlike the bad ideas, in which, Transpennine express had, of keeping them in Gasgoine wood sidings, between use, for very long periods and not moving them around, and a year or so later or even longer, when Transpennie Express decided to run them in service again, they was having major issues with them, and scratching their heads, why they didnt work and failed when back in service again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Nov 2025 ==


Tuesday 04th November 2025 ref above was 68026, taking newly branded set CH09 into storage at Long Marston.

Also today Tuesday 18th November 2025,
Saw another move 5Q94 0725 Eastleigh to Long Marston involving another set, with Branded Locomotive 68026, however does anyone know please which set was it and was it branded please.

AT the momment branded 68026,locomotive is also at Long Marston,
It appears it might be inolved with the Long Marston to easleigh moves, and possible moving CH06 and CH09 around Long Marston, with Todays latest arrival to keep them active during storage

Kind Regards
Warwickshire

Update Tuesday 18th November 2025

Thursday 20th November 2025: Ref old rail record website: x3 moves
1. OO86 1140 Long Marston to Eastleigh Tsrmd. 68026 returning.

2. 5Q70 0702 Derby to Wolverton Centre sidings.

3. 7Q32 1059 Wolverton Centre sidings to Longsight Tmd must be set TP01, but looks like its being hauled by barrier vehicles either side and restricted to 30 mph, probably hauled the same way as the 175 was from Ely to Wolverton, so this set must be totally unbraked and dead.

However interesting if its hauled by the new Rail operations group locomotives, that would be something.

Regards
Warwickshire.

 

[sjpowermac]

Meaning a far more succesful outcome, for service entry, and unlike the bad ideas, in which, Transpennine express had, of keeping them in Gasgoine wood sidings, between use, for very long periods and not moving them around, and a year or so later or even longer, when Transpennie Express decided to run them in service again, they was having major issues with them, and scratching their heads, why they didnt work and failed when back in service again.

Would you be able to quote which Mk5A sets you believe were stored at Gascoigne Wood for a ‘year or so’ or ‘even longer’?

Unfortunately, TPE don’t operate any depots. The space at Longsight (Alstom operated) was very constrained, with a maximum of seven Mk5A sets permitted there (there were a minimum of two booked diagrams from Longsight each day, so realistically a maximum of 5 sets could be stored there).Scarborough depot (Arriva Traincare) was designed for two sets.

The facilities at Gascoigne Wood were used both for storing Mk5A sets and for crew training. The sets were rotated on a regular basis with 45 days being the usual backstop.

Whilst there were many things that lead to the Mk5A fleet being unreliable, failure to rotate them between storage and service wasn’t one of them.

Towards the very end of service on TPE the Mk5A stock was reasonably reliable, they had an excellent fleet engineer who really got to grips with many of the longstanding problems. Hopefully that’s something that Chiltern can build on.

 

[Chris172]

A second mk5 rake and class 68 have appeared at Stourbridge, it was too dark to identify.

 

[DaveyJones]

Recently, some branded sets, involving 68026 have been returned back to Long Marston, especially set CH06 on Monday 03rd November and Tuesday 04th November, for warm storage for now.
However in due course these will need some acceptance testing like the previous sets did, on the Leamimgton Spa to Didcot Parkway test runs back in the late autumn of this year,

Its quite well possible as time goes on before, December 2026, Long Marston to Eastleigh Tsrmd moves will be commonplace, far more moves will take place place for servicing, than they ever did between Long Marston and Longsight.

Also sets might rotate around, between storage at Long Marston, and use on the full Chiltern services before December 2026, anyway to ensure all sets, will have had reqular and best possible use as well.
Meaning those on test at momment could well swap over with those not in use at momment, in due course.

Meaning a far more succesful outcome, for service entry, and unlike the bad ideas, in which, Transpennine express had, of keeping them in Gasgoine wood sidings, between use, for very long periods and not moving them around, and a year or so later or even longer, when Transpennie Express decided to run them in service again, they was having major issues with them, and scratching their heads, why they didnt work and failed when back in service again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Nov 2025 ==


Tuesday 04th November 2025 ref above was 68026, taking newly branded set CH09 into storage at Long Marston.

Also today Tuesday 18th November 2025,
Saw another move 5Q94 0725 Eastleigh to Long Marston involving another set, with Branded Locomotive 68026, however does anyone know please which set was it and was it branded please.

AT the momment branded 68026,locomotive is also at Long Marston,
It appears it might be inolved with the Long Marston to easleigh moves, and possible moving CH06 and CH09 around Long Marston, with Todays latest arrival to keep them active during storage

Kind Regards
Warwickshire

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Nov 2025 ==


Update Tuesday 18th November 2025

Thursday 20th November 2025: Ref old rail record website: x3 moves
1. OO86 1140 Long Marston to Eastleigh Tsrmd. 68026 returning.

2. 5Q70 0702 Derby to Wolverton Centre sidings.

3. 7Q32 1059 Wolverton Centre sidings to Longsight Tmd must be set TP01, but looks like its being hauled by barrier vehicles either side and restricted to 30 mph, probably hauled the same way as the 175 was from Ely to Wolverton, so this set must be totally unbraked and dead.

However interesting if its hauled by the new Rail operations group locomotives, that would be something.

Regards
Warwickshire.

5Q71 Appears to have run (07:02 Derby to Wolverton) https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K47789/2025-11-20/detailed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Nov 2025 ==


This is the path for 7Q32

Realtime Trains | 7Q32 1059 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Longsight T.M.D. (D) | 20/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 7Q32 1059 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Longsight T.M.D. (D) on 20/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[warwickshire]

5Q71 Appears to have run (07:02 Derby to Wolverton) https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K47789/2025-11-20/detailed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Nov 2025 ==


This is the path for 7Q32

Realtime Trains | 7Q32 1059 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Longsight T.M.D. (D) | 20/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 7Q32 1059 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Longsight T.M.D. (D) on 20/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Now showing as canclled

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Nov 2025 ==

Now showing as canclled

Now running and Returning, as 5Q57 1335 Wolverton to Derby Rtc with 930008 930010, witnessed at Northampton, with Two Barrier vehicles.
Mk5 remains at Wolverton.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Nov 2025 ==

Also witnessed a hour later and running around 50 late at Kings Sutton,

Was 5Q86 1323 Stourbridge Junction to Eastleigh, was 68026 with 68020 and set CH05 returning to Eastleigh, with this set or locomotive, failing earlier on in the week.

Means Stourbridge Junction , just has one set, 68032 and set CH13 for training purposes.

However mk5 sets which are arent currently on Chiltern or at Eastleigh Tsrmd are as follows:

Wolverton Centre Sidings TP01 unbranded
Long Marston DT12802 unbranded,

Long Marston after Eastleigh Tsrmd,
TP04 unbranded
TP06 TP09 TP11 branded.

 

[BanburyBlue]

Ideally of course you will miss the modified ones - too quiet.

Interesting. I was about 3 desks away from the window today. I wouldn’t mind but bet people bagging the window seats weren’t even looking at the trains!! Anyway, mid-afternoon my ears pricked up and I thought “I know that sound”. When I checked it was actually one of the new sets. I need to do a comparison but need to check when the mk3 68’s come through. I think a lot terminate at Moor St.

 

[warwickshire]

Interesting. I was about 3 desks away from the window today. I wouldn’t mind but bet people bagging the window seats weren’t even looking at the trains!! Anyway, mid-afternoon my ears pricked up and I thought “I know that sound”. When I checked it was actually one of the new sets. I need to do a comparison but need to check when the mk3 68’s come through. I think a lot terminate at Moor St.

They, do, however they do run through on the through Stourbridge services, but early morning or late evening

 

[Liam L]

Good Evening,

I am planning on doing my usual MK3 filming tomorrow, However I have seen there are some MK5 training runs which often going into Birmingham Moor Street and I'm still yet to see a Chiltern livery one?

I'm presuming it's one of these if it runs?

Realtime Trains | 3Q72 1114 Bicester North to Birmingham Moor Street | 25/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 3Q72 1114 departure from Bicester North to Birmingham Moor Street on 25/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q73 1114 Bicester North to Stourbridge Jn Depot | 25/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 3Q73 1114 departure from Bicester North to Stourbridge Jn Depot on 25/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thanks In advance

​

 

[BanburyBlue]

Good Evening,

I am planning on doing my usual MK3 filming tomorrow, However I have seen there are some MK5 training runs which often going into Birmingham Moor Street and I'm still yet to see a Chiltern livery one?

I'm presuming it's one of these if it runs?

Realtime Trains | 3Q72 1114 Bicester North to Birmingham Moor Street | 25/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 3Q72 1114 departure from Bicester North to Birmingham Moor Street on 25/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q73 1114 Bicester North to Stourbridge Jn Depot | 25/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 3Q73 1114 departure from Bicester North to Stourbridge Jn Depot on 25/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thanks In advance

​

Looking out from my office next to Snow Hill, the training trains normally run from Stourbridge Junction to Bicester North. Everyone I’ve seen has been in the new livery.

 

[alanc]

68021 on 0z95, Eastleigh Arlington to Loughborough Brush

 

[XCTurbostar]

It appears 68028 has kept its yellow!

I believe this is not a permanent fixture, it’s mostly due to some type of loco rotation.

 

[CR165022]

It appears 68028 has kept its yellow!

I believe this is not a permanent fixture, it’s mostly due to some type of loco rotation.

By the looks of it, the area around the cab windows is still DRS Blue too, so will mostly likely be completed at some point

 

[XCTurbostar]

Pictures of Yellow Front’d 68028 courtesy of Matthew Wilson

As you noted @CR165022, the cabsides are still DRS blue!

 

[CR165022]

That has to be a deliberate decision surely... I mean, why would they cut the vinyl off perfectly along the yellow and the blue above it if it's not finished yet

 

[XCTurbostar]

That has to be a deliberate decision surely... I mean, why would they cut the vinyl off perfectly along the yellow and the blue above it if it's not finished yet

It certainly is a strange amount of precision if it is temporary. Here is 68030 for comparison and it appears to be a complete wrap on the front cab including the sides. https://flic.kr/p/2rEtKmF

 

[Class15]

Fingers crossed that’s a permanent livery, it looks far better IMO.

 

[MerlinRail 804]

I feel like they’re both pretty good. The yellow front is a bit dated though really IMO

 

[L+Y]

Always been a fan of yellow ends, so naturally I think this is an improvement. That said, I do think the new Chiltern 68 livery is the first attempt I've seen at a livery without yellow that looks half decent.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Fingers crossed that’s a permanent livery, it looks far better IMO.

Couldn't disagree more.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Nov 2025 ==

The yellow front is a bit dated though really IMO

Now that we've had plenty of trains without them for a good few years, adding it when there's no yellow with the overall livery has begun to look strange, I think.

It's a travesty what they did to the Greater Anglia fleet. They could have looked awesome.

 

[Goldfish62]

Couldn't disagree more.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Nov 2025 ==


Now that we've had plenty of trains without them for a good few years, adding it when there's no yellow with the overall livery has begun to look strange, I think.

It's a travesty what they did to the Greater Anglia fleet. They could have looked awesome.

I don't get this thing about yellow panels among some of the enthusiast fraternity. It looks OK when yellow is part of the corporate identity/eg Eurostar, but otherwise it's an add-on signifying that this country going back decades wasn't capable of having headlights on the front of its trains when everywhere else managed it.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

I don't get this thing about yellow panels among some of the enthusiast fraternity. It looks OK when yellow is part of the corporate identity/eg Eurostar, but otherwise it's an add-on signifying that this country going back decades wasn't capable of having headlights on the front of its trains when everywhere else managed it.

Because headlights are so bright these days on the trains yellow panels aren't needed.

 

[PLY2AYS]

Because headlights are so bright these days on the trains yellow panels aren't needed.

Absolutely agree. But I think on some colour schemes it works though.
E.g. GWR IETs but not with TPE 8xx

However I would argue for uniformity’s sake. That the 68s should have yellow panels because it matches the 168 and 165 fleet because their headlights are so poor.
(But admittedly it would look wrong on the Mk5 end)

 

[Goldfish62]

Because headlights are so bright these days on the trains yellow panels aren't needed.

Yes, I know that's the reason.

 

[adc82140]

Any further progress on repaint of the sets? I've slightly lost track.

 

[alanc]

Any further progress on repaint of the sets? I've slightly lost track.

68031 (new vinyl) plus (possibly CH03, happy to be corrected) on 5q69 Eastleigh to Banbury
Should do 5q70/71/72/86 later today
Alan

 

[CR165022]

68031 (new vinyl) plus (possibly CH03, happy to be corrected) on 5q69 Eastleigh to Banbury
Should do 5q70/71/72/86 later today
Alan

68031 was with CH07

 

[alanc]

68031 was with CH07

Many thanks indeed. I should also have mentioned that the the loco and the set were reliveried