Chiltern Railways has announced a major upgrade to its train fleet, revealing plans to retire its oldest carriages—some nearly 50 years old—and replace them with a modern, eco-friendly alternative beginning spring 2026.
The new fleet will consist of 13 Mark 5A trains, offering significant enhancements to passenger comfort and technology. Each seat will be equipped with charging ports, and the trains will feature enhanced Wi-Fi, digital information screens, and onboard air conditioning. The improvements are part of Chiltern’s broader strategy to modernise its services and support regional growth across its routes from London to Birmingham, serving towns and cities in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire, and the West Midlands.
Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, expressed his excitement about the change, stating: “We are thrilled for our customers that we will be able to replace our oldest trains, which are nearly 50 years old, with modern trains that are just six years old and offer a significantly improved onboard experience.”
Crucially, the new fleet will run on hydrotreated vegetable oil, a sustainable fuel that will contribute to reducing the railway’s carbon footprint. This move aligns with wider efforts to make UK rail travel more environmentally friendly.
The rollout is expected to not only improve the passenger experience but also pave the way for an expanded timetable by the end of 2026 to meet rising travel demand.
Sean Woodcock, MP for Banbury, welcomed the announcement, noting that train standards had been a “regular complaint” from his constituents. Rail Minister Lord Hendy added that the upgrade reflected the government’s commitment to modernising UK railways and ensuring passengers remain “at the heart of the 21st-century railway.”
