CHILTERN Railways has confirmed it is in negotiations with the Department for Transport and rolling stock owner Beacon Rail to acquire a number of CAF Mk.5a carriages that were previously used by TransPennine Express.
Chiltern managing director Richard Allen said that even though its existing Mk.3 trailers are a great design, they are now 50 years old and near the end of their economic life. The Office of Rail and Road recently revealed that the average age of Chiltern’s rolling stock was the oldest of all the train operators, at 30.8 years.
Mr Allen said:“With the ongoing commercial and housing developments, there is going to be rising demand during the rest of this decade. Getting replacement carriages and additional carriages is absolutely critical to allow Chiltern to expand and serve its communities.”