Class 68 Lead Train Services Agreement Provider

The Chiltern Railways Company is in process of cascading its fleet of 13*5 car sets of Mk5a Coaches and 14*c68 Locomotive units on its London Marylebone to Birmingham route during 2026, with the full complement of rolling stock to be in service by 1st December 2026. The units are leased from Beacon Rail Leasing and are currently being maintained under an interim maintenance agreement between Chiltern Railways and Beacon Rail Leasing until 1st December 2026. Under the existing maintenance structure, the Mk5a Coaches are being maintained by the OEM alongside a TSSSA, the maintenance of the c68 Locomotives is being undertaken by a non-OEM 3rd party who also operate the c68 TSSSA. The maintenance works are being undertaken at the Eastleigh Train Maintenance Depot, with vehicle movements to and from the depot being provided by a 3rd party supplier. As part of the long-term maintenance contract renewal post 1st December 2026, Chiltern Railways is seeking to understand market readiness and the available contracting options, which may inform its long-term procurement strategy and most optimal route to market, which may be informed by this preliminary market engagement process.