Chiltern Railways has unveiled the first train of a £12million fleet refurbishment as part of the operator’s mission to provide easier, greener and better journeys for customers in the future.
One of the operator’s fleets (Class 168) is being refurbished with modern features and modifications including improved Wi-Fi, USB sockets, a full repaint and an overhaul of the heating and cooling system. Fleet reliability improvements have also been installed on the train.
In addition, a significant investment has ensured a new interior refurbishment, improving the experience for customers travelling with Chiltern.
The first refurbished train was unveiled during a special event attended by rail partners, user groups, and Chiltern colleagues at London Marylebone station today (Wednesday 9 October). Guests were welcomed on the platform by a string quartet and a unique AI experience where they were able to take a futuristic image of themselves with a background of the train.
A ribbon cutting also took place with Arriva UK Trains Managing Director David Brown, Chiltern Railways Managing Director Richard Allan, Rachel Blake MP (Cities of London and Westminster), and Porterbrook Chief Operating Officer Ben Ackroyd.
The first train to be fully refurbished is now serving customers travelling on the operator’s main line routes from London Marylebone between Oxford and Birmingham.
Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, said: “Chiltern has a comprehensive vision and three-stage plan to modernise and decarbonise our railway for our customers and neighbours.
“The first part of the plan is to improve our existing trains with £12m being spent on 85 carriages that were built in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“The first train to benefit from that investment is now back in service following a refurbishment that means customers will experience new seat cushions and covers, new carpet, new lighting, better WiFi and new plug sockets that include USB charging points.
“I am impressed with the end result and hope it is welcomed by customers.”
Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer from Porterbrook, said: “The 168s are an excellent fleet and have been serving Chiltern passengers well since they were introduced. This refurbishment programme will ensure these trains continue to serve passengers comfortably and reliably for many more years to come.
“This significant milestone would not have been possible without a true partnership approach – congratulations to everyone involved in the project.”
Upgrades to the Class 168 fleet include:
- A heavy maintenance baseline which includes battery and air system overhauls amongst other modifications
- An exterior repaint of the units
- A multi-million pound investment on the interior, upgrading the passenger environment
- Passenger enhancement modifications including the installation of a new Wi-Fi system and the inclusion of USB charging sockets
- Fleet reliability improvements
The diesel Class 168 trains were the first to be ordered when Chiltern was created as a standalone company in 1996. The fleet entered service in 1998.
The most recent refurbishment work has been carried out at the Arriva TrainCare facility in Crewe.
The remaining Class 168 trains will be refurbished and ready for passenger service in the coming months.
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