New Chiltern Railways trains set to unlock 10,000 more seats a day

Chiltern Railways today (Tuesday 14 October) showcased for the first time its newest (Mark 5A) trains, set to add 10,000 more seats for customers each weekday from December 2026. 

The trains, to be introduced between London to West Midlands from early 2026, will enable Chiltern to deliver more capacity across each of its West Midlands, Aylesbury, and Oxford routes as part of the operator’s efforts to deliver better journeys for customers. 

The newest fleet will consist of 13 modern trains set to transform customer journeys during 2026. The trains will replace Chiltern's oldest carriages, which are nearly 50 years old, with state-of-the-art equivalents, and provide a significant improvement to the on-board experience. 

The trains will include new features for customers including enhanced Wi-Fi, plug sockets and USB ports at every seat, and digital customer information screens. Customers will also benefit from air conditioning and improved luggage and bike storage. 

The trains also deliver significant improvements for customers with accessibility needs, with dedicated areas including fully accessible toilets and better boarding and seating arrangements, ensuring 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. 

“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.” 

At a London Marylebone event unveiling the newly liveried trains, Rail Minister Lord Hendy toured the first new train with Chiltern Managing Director Richard Allan before it embarked on a journey to Birmingham Moor Street. 

Speaking to the 150-strong audience, Lord Hendy congratulated everyone at Chiltern Railways, saying these modern trains will bring a range of benefits for passengers and everyone that relies on this vital route will notice an improvement in the way they travel.

 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 charter service to Birmingham, put on ahead of the trains entering passenger service next year, featured speeches from businesses across the line including Bicester Village and the upcoming Puy du Fou amusement park in Oxfordshire.  

At the event, Chiltern reiterated its ambition to continue working with Network Rail on its joint business case for new battery-electric trains, which would replace the operator’s remaining diesel trains from the early 2030’s and be powered by partially electrifying the Chiltern network.  

Following a positive decision from the Department for Transport, these newer trains will enter service on a phased basis during 2026 as a crucial step in delivering Chiltern's 2030 Vision of easier, greener, and better journeys. The operator is also working with partners to confirm details of additional timetabled services which would start in December 2026.