Arriva Group’s Chiltern Railways has announced it has secured a fleet of modern trains that will run on low-emission fuel, following a favourable decision from the UK Department for Transport (DfT).
The 13 trains, due to enter service in phases from 2026, will operate on Chiltern’s route between London, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the West Midlands and will replace the oldest trains in its fleet, enabling significant service enhancements for its passengers. The investment will allow Chiltern to operate additional services for customers from the end of 2026, subject to the usual industry timetable change approvals.
These modern trains will bring a range of benefits, including improved accessibility, upgraded seating, live information screens, quieter journeys, and dedicated luggage and cycle storage.
Chiltern has decided to run the trains on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as part of Arriva’s strategy to reduce emissions across its operations. HVO is a renewable energy source made up of vegetable oils and other recycled materials, which is widely recognised as a tool to significantly reduce emissions on non-electrified lines.
Chiltern was the first passenger train operator in the UK to introduce HVO when it powered its current Class 68 locomotives using the fuel from July 2023. Chiltern will continue to use HVO to fuel the newer class 68 locomotives that will be brought into passenger service from early 2026 to haul the 13 sets of modern coaches announced today.
This announcement supports Arriva Group’s long-term sustainability ambitions to provide modern fleets, improve fuel efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of services across its pan-European network.
Amanda Furlong, Managing Director UK Trains at Arriva Group, said: “Upgrading our fleet is a vital next step in Chiltern’s modernisation plans and an important part of Arriva’s wider ambition to support the transition to more sustainable rail travel across the UK and Europe.
“We are proud to support this important milestone for Chiltern Railways, which is a great example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration with the Government to deliver practical improvements for passengers. We look forward to seeing these upgraded trains improve journeys and lower emissions across the network.”
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
“This government is putting passengers back at the heart of the 21st century railway by investing to make journeys easier, greener, and more comfortable.”
“We are continuing to support Chiltern as they develop a plan to introduce additional services into their timetable, giving people more opportunities to work, live, and socialise.”
Chiltern will rent the newer locomotives and coaches from their owner, Beacon Trains, in a 10-year agreement with the support of the DfT.
It represents a significant milestone in delivering Chiltern Railways’ 2030 Vision, which sets out plans to modernise and decarbonise operations to deliver accessible and greener train travel for communities. As the next step of the 2030 Vision, Chiltern Railways is working with the DfT, Network Rail and other partners to progress its ambition to replace its oldest diesel trains by delivering electrification on parts of the network.
More broadly, Arriva is seeking to partner with governments and public transport authorities across the UK and mainland Europe to deliver lower-emission services, including alternative fuels, investment in electrification, and the deployment of battery-hybrid and fully electric vehicles. By offering modern and reliable services, Arriva continues to make passenger transport the best choice for the communities it serves.
Image credit: Arriva Group
