Chiltern MK5s Starting 2026 (non speculative updates thread)

[MerlinRail 804]

I did notice they are heavily advertising the £20 upgrade to the slightly nicer seats in 1st class at stations along the route.

At Wycombe said posters are out in the rain on P3 at the other end to where first class is

 

[llewjones]

They are indeed. But every time I have seen a set in service, 1st has been lightly loaded so doesn't appear to be much take up on that at the moment. Gives me hope that they will bin it off at some point and de-classify it like they did with the Business Zone on the Mk3s

Although until full roll-out of the sets, there are only a very small number of trains with the option. It will be interesting to see uptake once full roll-out is in place, and whether certain trains get a higher uptake.

 

[PLY2AYS]

The concept of a budget flat in Marylebone... I would love that.

Well the properties that back onto the station and it’s approaches are much cheaper than those further away from the running lines… so yes, by Marylebone standards, they are extremely budget.

 

[ChilliSauce]

Hopefully more than they aim to run daily…

(Imagine buying a budget flat next to the railway and complaining about noise)

I doubt if there are any budget flats in Marylebone !

 

[FrontSideBus]

First class would only be worth it if they offer a catering service tbh.

 

[PLY2AYS]

I doubt if there are any budget flats in Marylebone !

Property prices next to the railway in Marylebone are markedly lower than those in surrounding streets.

Just because it isn’t your market, doesn’t meant they aren’t lower than market value.

Alas, we’re digressing slightly from the issue.
Yesterday marked another 3car 168 returning from Arriva train care post refurb/overhaul, which hopefully means that services which currently aren’t served by 68s to Birmingham will at least have more chance of being run with rolling stock that can hit line speed.

 

[CR165022]

Alas, we’re digressing slightly from the issue.
Yesterday marked another 3car 168 returning from Arriva train care post refurb/overhaul, which hopefully means that services which currently aren’t served by 68s to Birmingham will at least have more chance of being run with rolling stock that can hit line speed.

One returned but one also went off as well, so there isn't any extra units to use still, if anything there's less, replacing one serviceable unit with one that won't be put back into service straight away.

 

[trundlewagon]

hopefully means that services which currently aren’t served by 68s to Birmingham will at least have more chance of being run with rolling stock that can hit line speed.

Noticed quite a few 165+168 combos popping up on Birminghams lately, was wondering if they're booked diagrams since the timetable change but I'm guessing not?

 

[CR165022]

Noticed quite a few 165+168 combos popping up on Birminghams lately, was wondering if they're booked diagrams since the timetable change but I'm guessing not?

There's no booked ones on Weekdays but I believe there are a few on the weekends. That being said they've ended up on Birmingham's a lot more recently regardless of whether it's booked or not.

 

[800002]

Noticed quite a few 165+168 combos popping up on Birminghams lately, was wondering if they're booked diagrams since the timetable change but I'm guessing not?

There's no booked ones on Weekdays but I believe there are a few on the weekends. That being said they've ended up on Birmingham's a lot more recently regardless of whether it's booked or not.

There's a single booked 165 up on a Saturday morning and back down again to Birmingham Sunday night to which is the stratford shuttle unit being removed / replaced.

 

[Cowley]

Enough with the seats please. I really am getting to the point of high blood pressure over this subject.

Thanks!

 

[37052 xb mr]

68015 Set 1, Today is the last planned Mk3 set
To Stourbridge 1J59.

68015 Set 1 Tomorrow the last planned Mk3 set
From Stourbridge 1H35.

Monday the 2nd Mk3 set AL02
Goes to Burton for store 5D03.

Monday should see both Birmingham diagrams run with Mk5s.

 

[172007]

68015 Set 1, Today is the last planned Mk3 set
To Stourbridge 1J59.

68015 Set 1 Tomorrow the last planned Mk3 set
From Stourbridge 1H35.

Monday the 2nd Mk3 set
Goes to Burton for store 5D03.

Monday should see both Birmingham diagrams run with Mk5s.

AL01 set working today. AL04 failed other day or was it the loco? Has AL04 already gone to Burton?

 

[37052 xb mr]

AL01 set working today. AL04 failed other day or was it the loco? Has AL04 already gone to Burton?

AL03 was 1st set to Burton for store.
AL02 on Monday

68013 Set AL04
Should work tomorrows Branchline Society Mk3 farewell tour

 

[STINT47]

I only use Chiltern occasionally. Are they introducing the £20 first class fare on all Birmingham services or just those with locomotives?

If its just selected trains how are we going to know what service has first? I wouldn't pay for first only to find I have picked the wrong train and have therefore wasted twenty quid. This mat be why first isn't busy at the moment.

 

[JamesT]

I only use Chiltern occasionally. Are they introducing the £20 first class fare on all Birmingham services or just those with locomotives?

If its just selected trains how are we going to know what service has first. I wouldn't pay for first only to find I have picked the wrong train and have therefore wasted twenty quid. This mat be why first isn't busy at the moment.

Whilst they’re introducing the Mk5s, it’s a £20 upgrade onboard only on those trains.
Once they’re fully established there will be first class fares as normal.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Whilst they’re introducing the Mk5s, it’s a £20 upgrade onboard only on those trains.
Once they’re fully established there will be first class fares as normal.

Though, of course, existing First Class fares are already valid for use where Chiltern is a permitted route (quite why you'd pay £115 for an Any Permitted First Class Off-Peak Single between Birmingham and London and use it on Chiltern, when you could pay £59.90 is anyone's guess, however!)

 

[sufian123]

Hi,

Quick question about the Stourbridge workings once the MK5 coaches are fully introduced.

Will multiple units still operate services to Stourbridge alongside the MK5 sets, or will the route become fully loco-hauled only?

I’m curious whether the MK5 rollout is replacing units entirely on those diagrams, or if there will still be a mix depending on availability and timings.


Would appreciate any insight from those familiar with the allocations or future plans.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CR165022]

Hi,

Quick question about the Stourbridge workings once the MK5 coaches are fully introduced.

Will multiple units still operate services to Stourbridge alongside the MK5 sets, or will the route become fully loco-hauled only?

I’m curious whether the MK5 rollout is replacing units entirely on those diagrams, or if there will still be a mix depending on availability and timings.


Would appreciate any insight from those familiar with the allocations or future plans.

Thanks in advance.

The MK5s are only replacing the current MK3 diagrams first. There's two LCHS to Stourbridge along with one DMU diagram which will stay as a 6-168.

 

[sufian123]

The MK5s are only replacing the current MK3 diagrams first. There's two LCHS to Stourbridge along with one DMU diagram which will stay as a 6

The MK5s are only replacing the current MK3 diagrams first. There's two LCHS to Stourbridge along with one DMU diagram which will stay as a 6-168.

Thanks

 

[sammyg901]

Wonder if they'll declassify First Class on the commuter runs. Perhaps at the discretion of the guard depending on loading ? I haven't used one of these services so not sure how busy they usually get

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Wonder if they'll declassify First Class on the commuter runs. Perhaps at the discretion of the guard depending on loading ? I haven't used one of these services so not sure how busy they usually get

Chiltern want to use first class on the Mk5s.

 

[sammyg901]

Chiltern want to use first class on the Mk5s.

I doubt anyone will be willing to pay £20 to upgrade from High Wycombe to Marylebone though ! Be a shame if there is standing in Standard and First Class is carrying fresh air (as there will be 4 coaches of standard vs 6 currently)

 

[Sparks807Evo]

I doubt anyone will be willing to pay £20 to upgrade from High Wycombe to Marylebone though ! Be a shame if there is standing in Standard and First Class is carrying fresh air (as there will be 4 coaches of standard vs 6 currently)

Can see it coming from a mile off…alas not much Chiltern can do given the limited scope with no catering and I expect limited funds to do anything interior wise.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Can see it coming from a mile off…alas not much Chiltern can do given the limited scope with no catering and I expect limited funds to do anything interior wise.

Don't need an interior refurb. All ready "brand new" technically.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Feb 2026 ==

I doubt anyone will be willing to pay £20 to upgrade from High Wycombe to Marylebone though ! Be a shame if there is standing in Standard and First Class is carrying fresh air (as there will be 4 coaches of standard vs 6 currently)

Maybe not from High Wycombe but for the Longer distance journeys.

 

[MerlinRail 804]

Don't need an interior refurb. All ready "brand new" technically.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Feb 2026 ==


Maybe not from High Wycombe but for the Longer distance journeys.

Saw this evenings 1J55 Mk5 at Banbury and first class looked fairly decently loaded

 

[800002]

Saw this evenings 1J55 Mk5 at Banbury and first class looked fairly decently loaded

Likely due to the Mk3 farewell tour just kicking out.

 

[sammyg901]

The services I'm referring to are

1H10

Realtime Trains | 0721 Princes Risborough to London Marylebone | 24/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 0721 departure from Princes Risborough to London Marylebone on 24/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

1H12

Realtime Trains | 0746 Princes Risborough to London Marylebone | 24/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 0746 departure from Princes Risborough to London Marylebone on 24/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

1P51

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C90839/2026-02-24

These services I can't imagine would have much First Class demand ! Though I imagine in time e.g. Dec 26 these may revert to units or the timetabling be altered completely

The Marylebone-Birmingham and vv I think will do ok at peak/busy times though I travelled on a middle of the day service last week which only had 1 person in First Class

 

[MerlinRail 804]

Likely due to the Mk3 farewell tour just kicking out.

Yes that’s probably it

 

[37052 xb mr]

The services I'm referring to are

1H10

Realtime Trains | 0721 Princes Risborough to London Marylebone | 24/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 0721 departure from Princes Risborough to London Marylebone on 24/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

1H12

Realtime Trains | 0746 Princes Risborough to London Marylebone | 24/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 0746 departure from Princes Risborough to London Marylebone on 24/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

1P51

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C90839/2026-02-24

These services I can't imagine would have much First Class demand ! Though I imagine in time e.g. Dec 26 these may revert to units or the timetabling be altered completely

The Marylebone-Birmingham and vv I think will do ok at peak/busy times though I travelled on a middle of the day service last week which only had 1 person in First Class

Neither of them are currently Mk5 operated