Chiltern replacement stock

[A S Leib]

What could replace Chiltern's current rolling stock? It's currently 31 years on average, which I think makes it the oldest of any TOC, although I doubt the 68s would be replaced soon. I think it's safe to assume that any new trains would need to be bi-mode or diesel.

My first thought would be more FLIRTs, at the risk of being somebody for whom they're the solution to all regional services. I don't know if there's any reason why they wouldn't be able to be fit with tripcocks.

 

[HSTEd]

Would it really be cheaper, overall, to fit brand new trains with tripcocks than just fit them with the LU cab signalling system?

 

[JonathanH]

I've always liked the idea of reworking the 37 350/2s as the Chiltern replacement fleet, although I think 148 vehicles falls a bit short of what is needed. I think there are 89 165 vehicles and 85 168 vehicles.

 

[birchesgreen]

350s for Chiltern? I assume hybrid diesel conversions?

 

[JonathanH]

350s for Chiltern? I assume hybrid diesel conversions?

Something like that.

 

[cslusarc]

Without any commitment for electrification on the Chiltern network, new DMUs make the most sense because that carbon neutral target by 2050 will be ignored.

 

[Philip]

Class 185s to replace the 168s and 165s? The new TPE stock should be arriving around the same time that the 16x fleet are ready for cascading to secondary routes.