Two of the UK's train operators have recently announced tenders for a combined total of over 500 new or refurbished multiple units.
Chiltern Railways has placed tenders for 70 new or refurbished multiple units, whilst Northern Trains has placed tenders for 450 new multiple units.
The Railway Industry Association (RIA), the voice of the rail supply community, welcomed the tenders, which followed a recent report by the association, The UK Rolling Stock Industry: Making 2023 the year of opportunity not crisis, which highlights risks to the UK supply chain if no orders for new rolling stock were not placed soon.
Both tenders highlight the need that the rolling stock should be low-carbon and flexible enough that the supply chain is able to develop future-proof designs that improve rail's environmental sustainability and passenger experience. This is in accordance with the Railway Industry Association's #RailDecarb23 campaign, which urges the Government to accelerate plans for rail decarbonisation.
David Clarke, Railway Industry Association's Technical Director, said: “With a recent RIA report calling on the Government to take urgent decisions around rolling stock, we naturally welcome these two significant tenders of up to 520 low carbon multiple units.
“The industry and whole country will continue to benefit from these rolling stock orders as they will result not just in improved passenger experience, but also help to retain valuable jobs, generate economic growth, reduce emissions and improve air quality.
“These tenders demonstrate a strong commitment to the future of the supply chain, resulting in a significant strengthening of the pipeline of work which will deliver modern trains equipped with cleaner technologies. However, it is important to recognise however that this volume of orders is needed annually for the supply chain to be able to permanently break out of the historic boom and bust cycle.”
I agree with John Gibson
It too is my Local Station and Service
It is at its worst when Wembley Events are on,
we get a Replacement Bus instead due to lack of Rolling Stock
I am on the Harrow-Aylesbury Branch Linel
Tripcock requirement, at least until LU decide what’s going to happen with signalling north of Harrow.
Just keep the tripcock fitted trains until SSR upgrade finished.
Maybe Chiltern Railways should keep the Class 168 Clubman but to cascade the Class 165 to Great Western Railway and to be used in Bristol, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. And to order new trains.
I agree the 165s should go to GWR to allow the 150s to be retired.
Agree on that.
Chiltern is my local train operator. It’s rolling stock performance has detiorated badly in the last 5 years. There has been zero investment by DB. Train formations have been cut and services cancelled on a regular basis. They are badly in need of new rolling stock technology.
Most of the fleet is now 30 years old or more. Other than the Class 68 loco hauled services, it is 165s and 168s (including repurposed 170s and 172s.) Elecrification is the holy grail, but that will never happen.
The best they can hope for is to acquire more second hand 170 sets from lines where electric units have taken over.