Depot & Facilities Requirement For The Long Term Maintenance Of Class 68 Locomotives & Mk5A Coaches

Aims of The Engagement Process

Ascertain market readiness and available options for Chiltern Railways to deliver its long-term maintenance strategy.

Ascertain that any resultant long-term strategy is robust and exceeds Chiltern Railways obligations as a good and efficient operator.

Determine the most optimal contracting model which provides resilience and value for money.

Identify risks, opportunities & interdependencies.

Implement Best practice and industry learning which may be adopted.

In responding to this engagement, suppliers should provide their responses to the questions posed, detailing their approach, caveats, risks and opportunities they foresee in delivering the service. Chiltern Railways shall review the responses and where appropriate engage in further supplier interaction, which may take the form of site visits, face to face meetings or supplier events.

Conditions of Engagement & Supplier Acknowledgment

Suppliers participating in this process agree that this is an information gathering exercise only, and should not be interpreted as a procurement event, there shall be no evaluation or award resulting from this process by The Chiltern Railway Company. The responses obtained from this engagement may inform the most viable contracting models and expedient route to market for any subsequent procurement which may be undertaken.

Chiltern Railways may share elements of its findings with the market, suppliers should clearly state any areas of confidentiality in their response/s to the questionnaire stating "not to be shared as part of any debriefing process".

Chiltern Railways shall have no liability for any costs arising from this engagement which the supplier may incur as part of this process,

Chiltern Railways acknowledges that suppliers may require clarification prior to their submission and whilst the object of this engagement is not to enter into detailed exchange of information, Chiltern Railways will aim to provide clarity where appropriate to participants where it deems appropriate.

Commercial Sensitivity

The supplier should advise any areas of response which they deem to be confidential, clearly stating these may not be divulged in the event of any debrief process.

Chiltern Railways Requirements

Chiltern Railways wishes to understand the availability and readiness of Depot facilities which need to be available for the maintenance across the set's units the 1st of December 2026 through the 1st of December 2036. The Depot will need to accommodate the following at the commencement of the contract.

• Pitted capability to accommodate a 6-car unit.
• Vehicle or full train lifting capabilities.
• Wheel lathe capabilities.
• Cleaning road with graffiti and fatality cleaning facilities.
• Bogie drop facilities.
• Crane and high-level gantry access.

It the expected that the contract duration shall be for a period of 10 years, with a contract commencement date of the 31st October 2026 and planned mobilisation by the 1st December 2026.

Participation

If you wish to participate in this engagement process, your formal acceptance is required by 16.00hrs Wednesday 18th February 2026, by registering at the Chiltern Procurement Dojo Platform and via the acceptance and return of our NDA without modification.

Access to the Market Dojo is located at the link below where suppliers can access the event

marketdojo.com/market-dojo-sign-up/ ↗

Event code 82D5136076

Engagement Responses Deadline 16.00hrs Friday 13th March 2026

General Information

Suppliers must register on Market Dojo Platform and it's their responsibility to ensure participants are kept informed of the status of this activity.

Chiltern Railways may use multiple procurement procedures in accordance with PA2023.

Chiltern Railways welcome responses from suppliers across sectors who can demonstrate capability in the areas above.

Suppliers are not obliged to take part in this activity and may still participate in any forthcoming ITT in accordance with the rules of participation under PA2023.