Chiltern tender for 20 - 70 units

[12LDA28C]

Are those 2 rows alternative solutions, as one says "New Battery-Electric Rolling Stock for Chiltern Railways" and the other "Low Emissions Rolling Stock (New or Converted) for Chiltern Railways"?

Yes, two separate tenders have been issued.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Looks like the "new" option for Chiltern stock has been removed - now for 20-70 existing vehicles.

Chiltern Railways seeks fleet proposals

UK: Chiltern Railways has invited proposals from established rolling stock owners for the lease and maintenance of between 25 and 70 existing vehicles to operate inter-city and regional services on the Chiltern Main Line between London Marylebone and Birmingham. The operator is seeking either...

www.railwaygazette.com

UK: Chiltern Railways has invited proposals from established rolling stock owners for the lease and maintenance of between 25 and 70 existing vehicles to operate inter-city and regional services on the Chiltern Main Line between London Marylebone and Birmingham.
The operator is seeking either ‘self-powered’ multiple units or locomotive-hauled coaches, which can operate at 160 km/h in fixed formations of five or six passenger vehicles.

The word "tender" is bandied about in this thread, but this is an invitation for rolling stock owners to make fleet proposals to Chiltern prior to them selecting a partner.
The off-lease ex-TPE Mk5 and ex-TfW 175 fleets are noted as broadly fitting the Chiltern spec.
There are 65 Mk5 vehicles (13x5 car), and the class 175 fleet is also 65 vehicles (11x3 car plus 16x2 car), assuming no withdrawals.
Lower noise emissions than the current Chiltern class 68 fleet are required.

 

[Bletchleyite]

New was only for the 165 replacement tender, which is separate.

 

[Snow1964]

The Government has updated manufacturers

Chiltern
20-70 units,
nominally 90 vehicles
Award date Early 2025

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65c0fe79704282000d752241/rolling-stock-procurement-letter-to-industry-dft.pdf

 

[Speed43125]

The Government has updated manufacturers

Chiltern
20-70 units,
nominally 90 vehicles
Award date Early 2025

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65c0fe79704282000d752241/rolling-stock-procurement-letter-to-industry-dft.pdf

Seems a difficult number for any one existing diesel fleet to match. 'Converted' is also a slightly curious word to use, given the document was going on about 'refurbishing' Voyagers and Pendolinos prior to that; no clue what if anything that might imply though.

More generally, with the message of that document, I can't help but think, despite what is said in the document about essentially avoiding a post-privatisation style drought of orders, all of these procurements are indicative of a building window in the latter parts of the decade, which isn't exactly a comfort for Derby who have ran out of work now, or Newton Aycliffe which is also getting to the end of its orderbook.

 

[Dan G]

New was only for the 165 replacement tender, which is separate.

Just to clarify something; Chiltern's three "Opportunity" notices have all been for one group of trains, up to 70 in number. They sought options for all "existing or converted" battery-electric trains, all new battery-electric trains, and "new or converted low emission" trains, to be quieter and cleaner than their existing trains.

They reserve the right to buy a mix from those options. But it's all for one new-to-Chiltern fleet.

 

[TH172341]

They want to replace the 165s as they are proving unreliable and hard to get spares for. The 168s have plenty left in them and are about to get a refurb. And yes, the Mk3s need to go.

On a related note to this, is there any update in regards to any Class 168 refurbishment / refresh?

 

[CR165022]

On a related note to this, is there any update in regards to any Class 168 refurbishment / refresh?

The first one, 168003, is due back within the next few weeks.

 

[TH172341]

The first one, 168003, is due back within the next few weeks.

Great news, thank you.