Chiltern Railways

[deltic]

Made a rare trip on Chiltern trains this weekend on the Aylesbury Vale line and was surprised how tatty the interior of the trains were. All kept clean but there were many thread-worn seats.

Were we just unlucky or is a lot of Chiltern's rolling stock in need of interior refurbishment?

 

[route:oxford]

Made a rare trip on Chiltern trains this weekend on the Aylesbury Vale line and was surprised how tatty the interior of the trains were. All kept clean but there were many thread-worn seats.

Were we just unlucky or is a lot of Chiltern's rolling stock in need of interior refurbishment?

Just unlucky really.

Even with the best will in the world, there will always be stock that is coming close to needing refurbishment.

The most important thing though is that the stock is kept clean.

 

[General Zod]

I'm not sure if you sat in a Class 165/0 but these were first rolled out on the Chiltern Line about 1990/91 so I guess they would be showing signs of wear and tear, even after refurbishment.

 

[deltic]

Yes - they were both 165/0s

 

[Mojo]

Chiltern's 165s were refurb'd a few years back, and the 168s more recently.

 

[KiddyKid]

Unfortunately the seat covers on both the 165 and 168 fleets after the refurb have been below par, the 165 material is wearing rather quickly and the 168 material stains badly when liquids such as coffee etc are spilt on it.

 

[yorksrob]

Unfortunately the seat covers on both the 165 and 168 fleets after the refurb have been below par, the 165 material is wearing rather quickly and the 168 material stains badly when liquids such as coffee etc are spilt on it.

Bring back Trojan !

 

[j0hn0]

interesting as I am thinking of using Chiltern to commute into London for a job opportunity.

I have been on a 168 on Chiltern and it wasn't THAT bad but for such a long journey, I would expect a more "intercity" type train.

Other than the W&S, are there any plans to improve rolling stock on what may eventually be an alternative to Virgin?

 

[Daimler]

interesting as I am thinking of using Chiltern to commute into London for a job opportunity.

I have been on a 168 on Chiltern and it wasn't THAT bad but for such a long journey, I would expect a more "intercity" type train.

Other than the W&S, are there any plans to improve rolling stock on what may eventually be an alternative to Virgin?

Indeed there are. As a result of the new route to Oxford (which will use 168s), Chiltern will find themselves in need of more stock to operate their services. With this in mind, they have currently been sourcing Mk3 coaches and DVTs, which they are planning to use on Birmingham services along with class 67s.

The stock is apparently due to have an extremely thorough refurbishment, with the addition of power operated doors and retention tank toilets (and, if WSMR's stock is anything to go by, should be pretty impressive comfort-wise!).

 

[j0hn0]

Indeed there are. As a result of the new route to Oxford (which will use 168s), Chiltern will find themselves in need of more stock to operate their services. With this in mind, they have currently been sourcing Mk3 coaches and DVTs, which they are planning to use on Birmingham services along with class 67s.

The stock is apparently due to have an extremely thorough refurbishment, with the addition of power operated doors and retention tank toilets (and, if WSMR's stock is anything to go by, should be pretty impressive comfort-wise!).

sweet, that sounds much more preferrable

 

[KiddyKid]

You have to remember that Chiltern's market is more Inter Urban than Inter City, however I think with a move to loco hauled stock they may pick up some of Virgin's punters especially if the fares remain competative.

 

[323235]

when do Chiltern intend to start their Loco Hauled services?

 

[The Planner]

2012 at the earliest, Id be suprised if they started up before the Oxford services.