Chiltern Railways today showcased its newest fleet of trains, the Mark 5A, which are set to deliver an additional 10,000 seats for customers each weekday from December 2026.
The operator unveiled the first of the modern carriages at a high-profile event at London Marylebone station. The 13 new trains will be introduced on routes between London and the West Midlands from early 2026, enabling Chiltern to significantly increase capacity across its Aylesbury, Oxford, and West Midlands services.
Modern Fleet Replaces 50-Year-Old Carriages
The new fleet will replace Chiltern’s oldest carriages, some of which are nearly 50 years old, providing a substantial improvement to the on-board passenger experience.
The trains will feature a host of modern amenities, including:
- Enhanced Wi-Fi
- Plug sockets and USB ports at every seat
- Digital customer information screens
- Air conditioning
- Improved luggage and bike storage
The new trains also offer significant improvements in accessibility, featuring dedicated areas, fully accessible toilets, and better boarding and seating arrangements to ensure comfortable travel for all passengers.
Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, said: “We are thrilled for customers that we are replacing our oldest coaches with much newer trains, and as a result we plan to provide 10,000 more seats on our network every weekday from the end of 2026. The unveiling of the first of our newest trains at London Marylebone is a positive, tangible sign of better times ahead for customers. There are better on-board facilities and more services planned from the end of 2026, subject to the usual rail industry approval processes.”
Government Endorses Investment and Capacity Boost
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy toured the first new train alongside Mr Allan at the London Marylebone event before it embarked on a charter journey to Birmingham Moor Street. Lord Hendy congratulated Chiltern Railways, stating that the modern trains would bring a range of benefits for passengers.
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: “These trains will give a fresh look and greater capacity for Chiltern’s passengers, giving better journeys while using cleaner fuel, and this investment reflects the Government’s unwavering commitment to building a rail industry that Britain needs and deserves as part of its Plan for Change. Thanks to Government support, these trains will start to enter service from early next year, bringing easier, greener, and better journeys for millions of passengers.”
The new trains are scheduled to enter passenger service on a phased basis during 2026, following a positive decision from the Department for Transport. Chiltern is also working with partners to confirm details of additional timetabled services which are expected to start in December 2026.
Vision for Decarbonisation
The new Mark 5A trains represent a crucial step in delivering Chiltern’s 2030 Vision of easier, greener, and better journeys.
Chiltern reiterated its long-term ambition to continue working with Network Rail on a joint business case to replace the operator’s remaining 35-year-old diesel trains with battery-electric trains from the early 2030s. This proposal would be powered by partially electrifying the Chiltern network.
Mr Allan added: “We are making good progress with our vision and plan to modernise and decarbonise Chiltern; the next stage is to continue working with Network Rail and the Department of Transport on the business case to replace our 35-year old diesel trains with battery-electric trains.”
