Train operator Chiltern Railways has revealed the first of its refurbished Class 168 trains.

The operator is spending £12million on refurbishing its fleet of Class 168 trains, explaining that this is part of its “mission to provide easier, greener and better journeys for customers in the future”.

The refurbishment includes:

• a heavy maintenance baseline including battery and air system overhauls
• repainting the exterior of the units
• upgrading the interior passenger environment
• a new Wi-Fi system
• installation of USB charging sockets
• improvements to the fleet’s reliability
• an overhaul of the heating and cooling system
• new seat cushions and covers
• new carpet
• new lighting

Chiltern unveiled the first refurbished train at a special event yesterday (Wednesday 9 October) at Marylebone station, which earlier this year celebrated its 125th anniversary

Guests included rail partners, user groups, and Chiltern workers. A string quartet welcomed them and they had the opportunity to take part in an AI experience which showed them a futuristic image of themselves with the train in the background.

The event also included cutting a ribbon, 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.

Chiltern first ordered the diesel Class 168 trains when it was created as a standalone company in 1996 following the privatisation of British Rail (the operator celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021).

The fleet began carrying passengers service in 1998.

Workers at the Arriva TrainCare facility in Crewe carried out the most recent refurbishment work, and the first fully-refurbished train is now running in passenger service on Chiltern’s main line routes from London Marylebone between Oxford and Birmingham.

The operator expects the remaining Class 168 trains to re-enter passenger service after refurbishment “in the coming months”.

“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.”

Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer of Porterbrook

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