The Anonymous Widower

An Interesting Comment From Lord Peter Hendy

This article on Modern Railways is entitled Chiltern FINALLY Signs Mk 5 Deal.

This extract from the article describes the deal.

An agreement for Chiltern Railways to lease the Mk 5A coaches previously operated by TransPennine Express and owned by Beacon Rail Leasing has been signed – and the trains are due to replace the current Mk 3 stock in phases from 2026. A 10-year lease has been agreed for the vehicles.

Chiltern will take on all 13 five-car sets as well as the spare Driving Trailer and the dedicated pool of 14 Class 68 locomotives.

The article also, has this excellent quote from Lord Peter Hendy, who is the Rail Minister at the end.

This government is putting passengers back at the heart of the 21st century railway by investing to make journeys easier, greener, and more comfortable.

“We are continuing to support Chiltern as they develop a plan to introduce additional services into their timetable, giving people more opportunities to work, live, and socialise.

I agree with much of what Lord Peter Hendy says, but could we see some actions to back up the words.

I have a few thoughts.

Lumo To Glasgow

I wrote about this new service in Lumo Will Extend Its King’s Cross And Edinburgh Service To Glasgow.

Given the opposition of the Transport Minister to open access services, I didn’t think this innovative service would be approved.

• But it does add an affordable passenger-friendly service to London and Glasgow routes.
• It will certainly be an easier route to London for some in Scotland.
• It also adds some much-needed direct services between Newcastle and Glasgow.

Did Lord Peter Hendy have words to help Lumo get its approval?

As I wrote in Could London And Central Scotland Air Passengers Be Persuaded To Use The Trains?, I also believe that this new Lumo service could persuade more air passengers to take the train to Scotland.

Lumo To Stirling

I wrote about this service in ORR: Open Access Services Given Green Light Between London And Stirling.

• First Group has taken over Grand Union Trains and the service will now be run by Lumo, who will use diesel Class 222 trains.
• But Lumo will have the option of running their electric Class 803 trains on the route, as it is fully electrified, when their fleet receives more trains.

This was another service, that I didn’t think would be approved, as no other services on the West Coast Main Line were approved, as Network Rail objected.

But it certainly meets the words in Lord Peter Hendy’s statement.

Like Lumo’s service to Glasgow, when the Stirling service gets electric trains, it will surely cut carbon emissions of travellers to Central Scotland.

Chiltern’s Replacement Trains

Chiltern Railways are replacing this fleet of locomotive hauled trains.

• 8 Class 68 locomotives
• 25 Mark 3 coaches
• 6 Driving Van Trailers

As services between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street stations consist of one locomotive, five coaches and one driving van trailer, that means there are two spare locomotives, one spare coach and one spare driving van trailer, if there are five rakes of coaches in service.

The new fleet will be.

• 14 Class 68 locomotives
• 52 Mark 5A coaches
• 14 Driving Van Trailers

If services between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street stations consist of one locomotive, four coaches and one driving van trailer, that means there are one spare locomotive and one spare driving van trailer, which gives a possible thirteen rakes of coaches in service.

There are certainly enough to expand Chiltern’s services. The obvious destination would surely be Oxford. These pictures show the two North-pacing platforms at Oxford station.

The platforms would be shared with East-West Rail, but they are around 160 metres in length.

The Modern Railways article quote Arriva Group Managing Director UK Trains Amanda Furlong as saying this.

Upgrading our fleet is a vital next step in Chiltern’s modernisation plans and an important part of Arriva’s wider ambition to support the transition to more sustainable rail travel across the UK and Europe.

We are proud to support this important milestone for Chiltern Railways, which is a great example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration with Government to deliver practical improvements for passengers. We look forward to seeing these upgraded trains improve journeys and lower emissions across the network.

She certainly would agree on some issues with Lord Peter Hendy.

So will Chiltern Railways do something to reduce the carbon footprint of their fourteen Class 68 locomotives?

• The Class 68 locomotives don’t have too many miles on the clock.
• Chiltern have already run some their Class 68 locomotives on HVO, so this must be a possibility.
• In total there are thirty-four Class 68 locomotives in service all of which have Caterpillar engines, so a conversion to zero-carbon power could be worthwhile.

I asked Google for an AI Overview on How many diesel locomotives have caterpillar engines worldwide? I got this answer.

While a precise worldwide count of diesel locomotives powered by Caterpillar (CAT) engines is difficult to pinpoint, it’s estimated that hundreds, if not thousands, of locomotives are equipped with CAT engines. Caterpillar has a long history of supplying engines to the rail industry, with engines like the 3500 series powering both mainline and switcher locomotives. Additionally, CAT engines are also used in generator sets for Head End Power (HEP) in passenger locomotives.

Note.

1. It appears that, Caterpillar might have given up making truck engines because of emission issues.
2. London Marylebone and Oxford is 66.8 miles
3. London Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill is 112.3 miles.

Perhaps one of the consultants like Ricardo could convert these locomotives to run on hydrogen.

 

August 7, 2025 - Posted by AnonW | Hydrogen, Transport/Travel | bicester Village Station, Birmingham Moor Street Station, Chiltern Railways, Class 68 Locomotive, East-West Rail, Hydrogen-Powered Locomotives, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), Lumo, lumo Euston And Stirling, Lumo King's Cross And Glasgow, Mark 5A Coach, Marylebone Station, Oxford Station, Peter Hendy