Overview

• From spring 2026, 13 six-year-old Mark 5A trains will replace 1970s Mark 3 carriages and restore first-class sections on Chiltern services.
• First-class carriages will feature more spacious seats and improved connectivity for travellers but will not include onboard catering.
• All seats will offer plug sockets and USB ports alongside enhanced wi-fi, digital information screens, air conditioning and accessible toilets.
• Locomotives hauling the new fleet will run on recycled vegetable oil with stop-start engine technology, supporting Chiltern’s ambition to switch to battery-electric trains by 2030.
• Additional services enabled by the larger fleet will be added to timetables from December 2026, and the plan contrasts with recent removals of premium travel by other UK operators.