Franchise(s):	Chiltern 1996 – 2002 2002 – 2022*
Main route(s):	Chiltern Main Line
Other route(s):	London to Aylesbury Line Princes Risborough to Aylesbury Line Leamington to Stratford Line
Fleet size:	39 Class 165 Turbo sets 19 Class 168 Clubman sets 1 Class 121 ‘Bubble Car’
Stations called at:	62
National Rail abbreviation:	CH
Parent company:	Laing Rail
Web site:	www.chilternrailways.co.uk

Chiltern Railways operate 19 Class 168 Clubman units. The Chiltern Main Line is an intercity regional and commuter main line Railway in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system. The London to Aylesbury Line is the main Railway line between London ( Marylebone) and Aylesbury, going via the Chiltern Hills; it The Leamington to Stratford Line is a railway line linking Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England. The British Rail Class 165 "Network Turbo" Diesel multiple units (DMUs were built by BREL at York Works from 1990-92 The Class 168 Clubman is a Diesel multiple-unit (DMU Train used by Chiltern Railways for InterCity services Sixteen Class 121 single-car driving motor vehicles were built from 1960 numbered 55020-55035 John Laing plc is a British developer and operator of privately financed public sector infrastructure projects such as roads railways hospitals and schools through Public-Private The Class 168 Clubman is a Diesel multiple-unit (DMU Train used by Chiltern Railways for InterCity services These trains were the first to be ordered in Britain since the railways were privatised. The Class 168s are the mainstay of express services to Birmingham and Kidderminster.

Chiltern Railways is a train operating company in England. There are a number of companies operating trains in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland It was formed by the privatisation of British Rail in 1996 and it operates train mainline services from Marylebone station in London, to Aylesbury and Birmingham Snow Hill. See also Rail transport in Great Britain, National Rail, Network Rail This article is about the defunct entity "British Railways" Marylebone station or London Marylebone station is a National Rail and London Underground station in central London, England. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Aylesbury railway station is the only Railway station in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. Birmingham Snow Hill is a railway station and tram stop in the centre of Birmingham, England on the site of a much larger station which was built by Initially the line was franchised to a company formed by the British Rail managers of the route, but since 2003 has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Laing Rail, who owned a much smaller shareholding at privatisation. See also Rail transport in Great Britain, National Rail, Network Rail This article is about the defunct entity "British Railways" John Laing plc is a British developer and operator of privately financed public sector infrastructure projects such as roads railways hospitals and schools through Public-Private Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of business from the Public sector (government to the Private sector (business In 2002 a new up to 20 year franchise began which promises significant investment in the route - the 20 year term being conditional on various investments and improvements over the life of the franchise.

Routes

Chiltern operate services on four routes.

• Chiltern Main Line
• London to Aylesbury Line
• Princes Risborough to Aylesbury Line
• Leamington to Stratford Line

The London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill route used by Chiltern Railways goes via High Wycombe, Bicester, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Warwick Parkway, Dorridge and Solihull. The Chiltern Main Line is an intercity regional and commuter main line Railway in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system. The London to Aylesbury Line is the main Railway line between London ( Marylebone) and Aylesbury, going via the Chiltern Hills; it The Leamington to Stratford Line is a railway line linking Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England. Marylebone station or London Marylebone station is a National Rail and London Underground station in central London, England. Birmingham Snow Hill is a railway station and tram stop in the centre of Birmingham, England on the site of a much larger station which was built by See also High Wycombe Western Australia High Wycombe (hai ˈwɪk Bicester ( IPA /ˈbɪstɚ/ is a town in the Cherwell district of north-eastern Oxfordshire in England. Banbury is a Market town located on the River Cherwell in northern Oxfordshire, England. Leamington Spa, properly Royal Leamington Spa, commonly Leamington (ˈlɛmɪŋtən and "Leam" to locals is a Spa town in central Warwick Parkway railway station serves the outer area of Warwick in Warwickshire, England. Dorridge is a village in the West Midlands borough of Solihull, England. Solihull (ˈsɒlɪhʌl or /ˈsəʊlihʌl/ is a large town in the West Midlands of England, with a population of 94753 Although the fastest timetabled journey between London and Birmingham via this route is 1 hour and 56 minutes, most express services take 2 hours and 5 minutes with semi-fast services sometimes taking up to 2 hours and 30 minutes (compared with approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes using Virgin Trains services between London Euston and Birmingham New Street). London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um Virgin Trains is a Train operating company in the United Kingdom, which currently provides services from London Euston to the North West Euston station (official name London Euston) is a major Railway station to the north of central London in the London Borough of Camden Birmingham New Street is a major railway station located in the centre of the city of Birmingham, England. Some trains continue beyond Birmingham Snow Hill station to Stourbridge or Kidderminster, where the preserved steam Severn Valley Railway starts at the adjacent Kidderminster Town. Birmingham Snow Hill is a railway station and tram stop in the centre of Birmingham, England on the site of a much larger station which was built by Stourbridge is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands of England. Kidderminster is a town in the Wyre Forest district of Worcestershire, England. The Severn Valley Railway is a Heritage railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire, England. Kidderminster Town is a Railway station situated in the town of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England.

The line to Aylesbury via Amersham shares tracks with London Underground's Metropolitan Line between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham. The London Underground is a Metro system serving a large part of Greater London and neighbouring areas of Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire The Metropolitan line is part of the London Underground, coloured Magenta on the Tube map. Harrow-on-the-Hill station is a London Underground station served by National Rail and London Underground (LU trains Amersham is a Market town and Civil parish within Chiltern district in Buckinghamshire, England, 27 miles north west of On certain Bank Holiday Mondays services are extended from Aylesbury to the Buckinghamshire Railway Heritage Centre facilities at Quainton Road, a short way south of Verney Junction. Buckinghamshire Railway Centre is a railway museum operated by the Quainton Railway Society Ltd Quainton Road is a station closed to scheduled passenger services on the freight-only line from Aylesbury to Claydon (LNE Junction and Bicester. Verney Junction is a hamlet in the Parish of Middle Claydon in north Buckinghamshire, England. These services are often run by Chiltern's Class 121 diesel multiple unit, referred to as a "bubble car".

A shuttle service operates on the branch line from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough on the line to Birmingham via High Wycombe. See also Aylesbury Urban Area Aylesbury is the County town of Buckinghamshire in south east England. Princes Risborough is a Town and Civil parish within Wycombe district in Buckinghamshire, England, about 9 miles south of Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um See also High Wycombe Western Australia High Wycombe (hai ˈwɪk Certain services from Marylebone via High Wycombe also provide a limited through service to Aylesbury.

In 2004 Chiltern Railways took over the operation of passenger services on the Leamington Spa to Stratford-upon-Avon branch line. Leamington Spa, properly Royal Leamington Spa, commonly Leamington (ˈlɛmɪŋtən and "Leam" to locals is a Spa town in central Stratford-upon-Avon (ˌstrætfɚd əpɒn ˈɛɪvən is a Market town and Civil parish in south Warwickshire, England.

Chiltern's newly formed sister company, Wrexham & Shropshire, runs services from North Wales along the Chiltern route to London. Wrexham & Shropshire is the operating name of the Wrexham Shropshire and Marylebone Railway Company, a Train operating company in the United Kingdom North Wales (Gogledd Cymru is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales, bordered to the south by Mid Wales and to the east by England. The service began on the 28th April 2008.

Chiltern were also asked to bid for the Snow Hill Lines of the former Central Trains area of Birmingham as part of the new West Midlands Franchise competition. However the bid was unsuccessful.

Chiltern is the first train operator to pilot - and subsequently implement - a full system for purchasing, retailing, fulfilling and validating train tickets electronically in the United Kingdom. As of April 2008, over 18,000 "E-Day" customers have registered to use the service and more than 40,000 electronic tickets have been sold; mainly as barcodes delivered as text messages to the mobile phones of their customers and also as 'Self-Print' tickets. Chiltern's electronic ticketing system is specified, built, operated and maintained by YourRail, based in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Services

Chiltern Railways operate a single Class 121 "Bubble Car" on Aylesbury to Princes Risborough shuttles. Sixteen Class 121 single-car driving motor vehicles were built from 1960 numbered 55020-55035 See also Aylesbury Urban Area Aylesbury is the County town of Buckinghamshire in south east England. Princes Risborough is a Town and Civil parish within Wycombe district in Buckinghamshire, England, about 9 miles south of

The "core" off-peak Chiltern Railways timetable currently comprises the following services:

• Half-hourly London Marylebone - Aylesbury via Amersham stopping service
• Hourly London Marylebone - High Wycombe stopping service
• Hourly London Marylebone - Princes Risborough stopping service
• Half-hourly London Marylebone - Birmingham Snow Hill via High Wycombe semi-fast service
• Hourly London Marylebone - Bicester North via High Wycombe semi-fast service (extended to Stratford-upon-Avon in even hours)

In addition, Chiltern Railways runs one train a day to and from London Paddington to keep traincrew route knowledge up-to-date, as the route is regularly used for diversions during periods of engineering work, and one train a day from Birmingham Snow Hill to Oxford.

Performance

The latest performance figures, published by the ORR (Office of Rail Regulation), rate Chiltern Railways as the most punctual train operating company in the UK at 95. Marylebone station or London Marylebone station is a National Rail and London Underground station in central London, England. Aylesbury railway station is the only Railway station in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. Amersham station is a Railway station serving Amersham in Buckinghamshire. Marylebone station or London Marylebone station is a National Rail and London Underground station in central London, England. High Wycombe railway station is situated in High Wycombe in South Buckinghamshire Marylebone station or London Marylebone station is a National Rail and London Underground station in central London, England. Princes Risborough station is a Railway station that serves the town of Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire, England. Marylebone station or London Marylebone station is a National Rail and London Underground station in central London, England. Birmingham Snow Hill is a railway station and tram stop in the centre of Birmingham, England on the site of a much larger station which was built by High Wycombe railway station is situated in High Wycombe in South Buckinghamshire Marylebone station or London Marylebone station is a National Rail and London Underground station in central London, England. Bicester North is a station on the Chiltern Main Line, and is one of two stations serving Bicester. High Wycombe railway station is situated in High Wycombe in South Buckinghamshire Stratford-upon-Avon (ˌstrætfɚd əpɒn ˈɛɪvən is a Market town and Civil parish in south Warwickshire, England. London Paddington station, also known as London Paddington, or just simply Paddington, is a major National Rail and London Underground station Birmingham Snow Hill is a railway station and tram stop in the centre of Birmingham, England on the site of a much larger station which was built by Oxford is a mainline Railway station serving the city of Oxford, England. 6% (PPM) and 94. 4% (MAA) as of the third quarter of the financial year 2007/8. ^[1]

Rolling Stock

Chiltern Railways operates services using a modern fleet of Class 165 "Turbo" and 168 "Clubman" units. The British Rail Class 165 "Network Turbo" Diesel multiple units (DMUs were built by BREL at York Works from 1990-92 The Class 168 Clubman is a Diesel multiple-unit (DMU Train used by Chiltern Railways for InterCity services The "Turbo" units have undergone refurbishment work at Bombardier's Ilford Works, and the Class 168s have recently been lengthened. Bombardier Inc (bɔ̃baʁdje is a Canadian conglomerate, founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier as L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée in 1942 The Class 168 Clubman is a Diesel multiple-unit (DMU Train used by Chiltern Railways for InterCity services Chiltern also operates a single Class 121 "Bubble Car" on its Aylesbury to Princes Risborough heritage route. Sixteen Class 121 single-car driving motor vehicles were built from 1960 numbered 55020-55035 This unit was extensively refurbished, and operates the majority of the services on the line. In 2008, Chiltern ordered four 2-car Class 172 "Turbostar" units to increase their capacity. The Class 172 is a planned Diesel multiple unit (DMU of the Turbostar family similar to the Class 168, Class 170 and Class 171

Current fleet

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Cars per set	Unit Numbers	Number	Routes operated	Built
			mph	km/h
Class 121 ‘Bubble Car’		diesel multiple unit	70	112	1	121020	1	Princes Risborough to Aylesbury Line	1960
Class 165/0 Turbo		diesel multiple unit	75	120	2/3	165001-165039	39	Chiltern Main Line London to Aylesbury Line	1990 - 1992
Class 168/0 Clubman		diesel multiple unit	100	160	4	168001-168005	5	Chiltern Main Line London to Aylesbury Line	1997-1998
Class 168/1 Clubman		diesel multiple unit	100	160	3/4	168106-168113 168214-168219	14	Chiltern Main Line London to Aylesbury Line	2000-2004

Future Fleet

'Tesco' Tunnel prior to the collapse

Gerrards Cross incident

A tunnel being constructed near the Gerrards Cross railway station to enable the construction of a new Tesco store collapsed at 19:30 on 30 June 2005. Sixteen Class 121 single-car driving motor vehicles were built from 1960 numbered 55020-55035 A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a Multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board Diesel The British Rail Class 165 "Network Turbo" Diesel multiple units (DMUs were built by BREL at York Works from 1990-92 A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a Multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board Diesel The Chiltern Main Line is an intercity regional and commuter main line Railway in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system. The London to Aylesbury Line is the main Railway line between London ( Marylebone) and Aylesbury, going via the Chiltern Hills; it The Class 168 Clubman is a Diesel multiple-unit (DMU Train used by Chiltern Railways for InterCity services A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a Multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board Diesel The Chiltern Main Line is an intercity regional and commuter main line Railway in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system. The London to Aylesbury Line is the main Railway line between London ( Marylebone) and Aylesbury, going via the Chiltern Hills; it The Class 168 Clubman is a Diesel multiple-unit (DMU Train used by Chiltern Railways for InterCity services A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a Multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board Diesel The Chiltern Main Line is an intercity regional and commuter main line Railway in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system. The London to Aylesbury Line is the main Railway line between London ( Marylebone) and Aylesbury, going via the Chiltern Hills; it The Class 172 is a planned Diesel multiple unit (DMU of the Turbostar family similar to the Class 168, Class 170 and Class 171 A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a Multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board Diesel The Chiltern Main Line is an intercity regional and commuter main line Railway in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system. The London to Aylesbury Line is the main Railway line between London ( Marylebone) and Aylesbury, going via the Chiltern Hills; it Gerrards Cross railway station serves the villages of Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter in Buckinghamshire. Tesco plc is a British -based international grocery and general merchandising retail chain Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Nobody was injured but the line was closed for over six weeks. It eventually reopened on 20 August 2005. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Compensation by Tesco to Chiltern is believed to have cost at least £8. 5m and the retailer has pledged to fund a media campaign to win back passengers lost by the closure of its route.

Future

Ownership

Chiltern Railways Route Map

Legend Kidderminster Blakedown Hagley Stourbridge Junction Lye Cradley Heath Old Hill Rowley Regis M5 Motorway Langley Green Smethwick Galton Bridge The Hawthorns Jewellery Quarter Birmingham Snow Hill Birmingham Moor Street Small Heath Tyseley Acocks Green Olton Solihull ( trains for Birmingham) Widney Manor M42 Motorway Dorridge Stratford-upon-Avon Wilmcote Bearley Lapworth Claverdon M40 Motorway Hatton Warwick Parkway A46 Warwick Bypass Warwick Leamington Spa M40 Motorway Banbury M40 Motorway King's Sutton M40 Motorway M40 Motorway A34 Western Bypass Bicester North Oxford Aylesbury Vale Parkway Aylesbury Stoke Mandeville Haddenham and Thame Parkway Wendover Little Kimble Monks Risborough Princes Risborough Saunderton Great Missenden High Wycombe Amersham Chalfont & Latimer Beaconsfield Chorleywood Seer Green & Jordans M25 Motorway Gerrards Cross Rickmansworth M25 Motorway Denham Golf Club Denham West Ruislip South Ruislip Harrow-on-the-Hill Northolt Park Sudbury Hill Harrow ( Sudbury Hill) Sudbury & Harrow Road Wembley Stadium London Paddington ( trains for Heathrow) London Marylebone

On 6th July 2007, Henderson Fund Managers, the owner of John Laing, announced the sale of its Chiltern Railway subsidiary, as it wants to focus on its public infrastructure portfolio. Kidderminster railway station serves the town of Kidderminster in Worcestershire. Blakedown railway station serves the English village of Blakedown, Worcestershire. Hagley railway station serves the English village of Hagley, Worcestershire. Stourbridge Junction railway station is a Railway station on the Birmingham Worcester and Kidderminster Line in West Midlands, England. Lye railway station serves the Lye area of Stourbridge, in the West Midlands of England. Cradley Heath railway station serves the town of Cradley Heath in the West Midlands of England. Old Hill railway station serves the Old Hill area of Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England. Rowley Regis railway station serves the Rowley Regis area of Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England. This article is about the M5 motorway in England See M5 for other roads numbered "M5" Langley Green railway station serves the Langley Green area of Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England. Smethwick Galton Bridge is a railway station in Smethwick, West Midlands, England. The Hawthorns station is a Railway station and Tram stop, opened in 1995 in Sandwell (very near the border with Birmingham) Jewellery Quarter station is a railway station and Tram stop, situated in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, England. Birmingham Snow Hill is a railway station and tram stop in the centre of Birmingham, England on the site of a much larger station which was built by Birmingham Moor Street railway station is one of three main railway stations in the city centre of Birmingham, England. Small Heath railway station serves the areas of Small Heath and Sparkbrook in Birmingham, West Midlands, England. Tyseley railway station serves the district of Tyseley in Birmingham, West Midlands, England. Acocks Green railway station serves the Acocks Green area of Birmingham, in the West Midlands of England. Olton railway station serves the Olton area of Solihull, in the West Midlands of England. Solihull railway station serves the town of Solihull in the West Midlands of England. Birmingham International Airport is an international airport located 5 Widney Manor railway station serves the Widney Manor area of Solihull in the West Midlands of England. For other uses of the term M42, please see M42. The M42 motorway is a major road in England. Dorridge railway station serves the village of Dorridge in the West Midlands of England. Stratford-upon-Avon Railway station serves the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England. Wilmcote Railway station serves the village of Wilmcote, about 4 miles north-north-west of Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England Bearley railway station serves the village of Bearley in south Warwickshire. Lapworth railway station serves the village of Lapworth in Warwickshire, England. Claverdon railway station serves the village of Claverdon in Warwickshire, England. The M40 Motorway is a motorway in the English Transport network that connects London to Birmingham. Warwick Parkway railway station serves the outer area of Warwick in Warwickshire, England. The A46 is a Trunk road in England. It largely follows the course of the Roman Fosse Way, from Lincoln to south Devon. Warwick railway station serves the town of Warwick in Warwickshire, England. Leamington Spa railway station serves the town of Leamington Spa, in Warwickshire, England. Banbury railway station serves the town of Banbury in Oxfordshire, England. King's Sutton railway station serves the village of King's Sutton in Northamptonshire, England. The A34 is a major road in England. It runs from the A6042 in Salford to Winchester in Hampshire. Bicester North is a station on the Chiltern Main Line, and is one of two stations serving Bicester. Oxford is a mainline Railway station serving the city of Oxford, England. Aylesbury Vale Parkway railway station is under construction to serve the Berryfields and Weedon Hill housing development in the north of Aylesbury. Aylesbury railway station is the only Railway station in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. Stoke Mandeville railway station serves the village of Stoke Mandeville, to the south of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. Haddenham and Thame Parkway railway station serves the village of Haddenham in Buckinghamshire and town of Thame in Oxfordshire. Wendover railway station serves the town of Wendover in Buckinghamshire, as well as the villages of Ellesborough and Wendover Dean amongst others Little Kimble railway station is the small single platform Railway station of the village of Little Kimble in Buckinghamshire. Monks Risborough railway station is the small single platform Railway station of the village of Monks Risborough in Buckinghamshire, England Princes Risborough station is a Railway station that serves the town of Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire, England. Saunderton railway station is a rural National Rail station located on the A4010 between High Wycombe and Princes Risborough, in Buckinghamshire Great Missenden railway station serves the large village of Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire, as well as the villages of Prestwood, Little Hampden High Wycombe railway station is situated in High Wycombe in South Buckinghamshire Amersham station is a Railway station serving Amersham in Buckinghamshire. Chalfont and Latimer station is a station in Travelcard Zone 8 (previously zone C on the Metropolitan line Beaconsfield railway station is the Railway station of the town of Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. Chorleywood station is a London Underground and National Rail station in Travelcard Zone 7 (previously zone B on the Metropolitan line Seer Green and Jordans Railway station lies close to the village of Seer Green in Buckinghamshire and also serves the nearby village of Jordans To see information about the M25 motorway under construction in Ireland, see N25 road. Gerrards Cross railway station serves the villages of Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter in Buckinghamshire. Rickmansworth is a London Underground station (also served by National Rail) in the town of Rickmansworth, in the Three Rivers district of Denham Golf Club station is on the Chiltern Line out of London Marylebone towards High Wycombe. Denham railway station is in Buckinghamshire, England, on the Chiltern Line 26 km (16 miles north west of Marylebone towards West Ruislip is a Network Rail station located on Ickenham Road between Ickenham and Ruislip in western Greater London; it is served by South Ruislip is a station served by London Underground and Chiltern Railways in Ruislip in west Greater London. Harrow-on-the-Hill station is a London Underground station served by National Rail and London Underground (LU trains Northolt Park railway station is a Network Rail station in Northolt, Greater London. Sudbury Hill Harrow railway station is a National Rail station in the London Borough of Harrow in northwest London. Sudbury Hill is a London Underground station on the Uxbridge branch of the Piccadilly Line. See also Sudbury Suffolk for the town with Sudbury station Sudbury & Harrow Road is a Network Rail station served by Chiltern Railways; it is located Wembley Stadium railway station is a Network Rail station in Wembley, Greater London on the Chiltern Main Line. London Paddington station, also known as London Paddington, or just simply Paddington, is a major National Rail and London Underground station Marylebone station or London Marylebone station is a National Rail and London Underground station in central London, England. Sir John William Laing (1879–1978 was a British entrepreneur in the construction industry ^[2] Arriva plc and Go-Ahead Group both expressed an interest in acquiring the company,^[3][4]but the final bidders are Germany's Deutsche Bahn and the Dutch NedRail. Arriva plc ( is a British -based international public transport operator headquartered in Sunderland. The Go-Ahead Group plc ( is a rail and bus operating company that was created following the privatisation of the UK's train and bus industries Deutsche Bahn AG ( DB AG, DBAG or DB) is the German national Railway company The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Nederlandse Spoorwegen ( Dutch Railways) or NS, is the principal passenger Railway operating company in the Netherlands. ^[5]

In January 2008 it was announced that the Laing Rail company had been sold to Deutsche Bahn^[6]. Deutsche Bahn AG ( DB AG, DBAG or DB) is the German national Railway company Once approval from the Department for Transport, Transport for London and the Office of Rail Regulation has been granted, the company will become part of DB Regio. In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport (or DfT) ( Welsh: Adran am Drafnidiaeth) is the government department Transport for London ( TfL) is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the Transport system in Greater London in England. The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR is a statutory board which is the combined economic and safety regulatory authority for Great Britain's Railway network DB Regio AG is as subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG that operates passenger trains on short and medium distances in Germany The Chiltern Railways management and brand will remain unchanged.

Route

There are several suggested plans for this route:

• The restoration of the quadruple track between South Ruislip (Northolt Junction) and West Ruislip, allowing trains to call at both stations without blocking the line. South Ruislip is a place in the London Borough of Hillingdon, situated very close to RAF Northolt. West Ruislip is a Network Rail station located on Ickenham Road between Ickenham and Ruislip in western Greater London; it is served by Triple track currently exists at West Ruislip, with the up platform loop still in situ, and at South Ruislip, with the Down Main through line also in situ. West Ruislip is a Network Rail station located on Ickenham Road between Ickenham and Ruislip in western Greater London; it is served by South Ruislip is a place in the London Borough of Hillingdon, situated very close to RAF Northolt. This would involve the reconstruction of the down platform at West Ruislip, the reconstruction of the up platform at South Ruislip, and the demolition of West Ruislip signalbox. This 'Chiltern Metro' service was not programmed in to the last round of franchising agreements.

• Restoration of fast through lines at Beaconsfield. This project has been shelved; the existing lines have been realigned and can now be traversed by locomotive-hauled trains at 50 miles (80 km) an hour, and by the Chiltern DMUs at 75 miles (121 km) an hour.

• Double track the line from Princes Risborough to Aylesbury.

• Remodelling Banbury Station and tracks.

• Building of the West Hampstead Interchange to allow easy interchange with the London Overground, Jubilee Line, Metropolitan Line and First Capital Connect service. West Hampstead is a National Rail station on the North London Line between Brondesbury and Finchley Road & Frognal. London Overground (LO is a Commuter rail service in London UK. The Jubilee line is a line on the London Underground ("the Tube" in the United Kingdom. The Metropolitan line is part of the London Underground, coloured Magenta on the Tube map. First Capital Connect (FCC is a passenger train operating company in England that began operations on the National Rail network on 1 April 2006 This would also give Chiltern Railways an interchange with the future Orbirail line. Orbirail was a name for a suggested orbital railway route around London.

• New Chiltern Metro Service that would operate 4+tph for Wembley Stadium, Sudbury & Harrow Road, Sudbury Hill Harrow, Northolt Park, South Ruislip and West Ruislip. This would require a reversing facility at West Ruislip, passing loops at Sudbury Hill Harrow and a passing loop at Wembley Stadium (part of the old down fast line is in use as a central reversing siding, for stock movements and additionally for 8-car football shuttles to convey passengers to the stadium for events). ^[7]

• Re-opening the line between Oxford and Princes Risborough^[8], which would provide an alternative to the Oxford-Paddington route. Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, Princes Risborough is a Town and Civil parish within Wycombe district in Buckinghamshire, England, about 9 miles south of The Oxford to Banbury spur would then be handed over to the Chiltern Main Line to create a diversionary loop from Princes Risborough to Banbury via Oxford. The Chiltern Main Line is an intercity regional and commuter main line Railway in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system. This option requires an expensive crossing of the M40 motorway.

• Building a connection at Bicester to the Oxford to Bicester Line, allowing direct trains from Marylebone to Oxford via Bicester Town^[8]. The Oxford to Bicester Line is a short Branch line linking Oxford and Bicester in Oxfordshire, England.

• Re-opening the passenger line between Aylesbury and Bedford via Milton Keynes^[8]. See also Aylesbury Urban Area Aylesbury is the County town of Buckinghamshire in south east England. Bedford is the County town of Bedfordshire, England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the Bedford borough Milton Keynes ( ˌmɪltənˈkiːnz often abbreviated to MK, is a large town

• A new station, Aylesbury Vale Parkway, is under construction to serve a planned residential development in the area^[9]. Aylesbury Vale Parkway railway station is under construction to serve the Berryfields and Weedon Hill housing development in the north of Aylesbury. This station will also improve access from those parts of Buckinghamshire not at present directly served by the rail network. This project is being funded by Buckinghamshire County Council, Laing Rail and the DFT and Communities and Local Government Department via the Communities Infrastructure Fund.

• Opening a rail line from Aylesbury to a M6-M1 Parkway Station near Rugby^[10]. See also Aylesbury Urban Area Aylesbury is the County town of Buckinghamshire in south east England. This article concerns the M6 motorway in England There are also M6 motorways in Russia (see Caspian Highway) Hungary (see M6 motorway The M1 is a major south – north Motorway in England primarily connecting London to Leeds, where Rugby is a Market town in Warwickshire, in the West Midlands of England, on the River Avon.

• Re-opening the Oxford to Bedford line. Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, Bedford is the County town of Bedfordshire, England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the Bedford borough This would form part of a future Varsity Line^[8]. Varsity Line (or Oxford to Cambridge Line) is an informal name for the Railway service which formerly linked the English university cities of Oxford

• Re open Gerrards Cross to Uxbridge line continuing the route to Heathrow Airport. Gerrards Cross (sometimes referred to in shorthand as GX is a village in Buckinghamshire, England. Uxbridge is a university town in the London Borough of Hillingdon in West London, England. This would give Birmingham a direct rail link with the largest airport in the United Kingdom. Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um

• Accepting Oyster Pay-as-you-go at its non-tube Greater London stations (Northolt Park, Sudbury and Harrow Road, Sudbury Hill Harrow and Wembley Stadium) as well as planning to extend it to High Wycombe and Aylesbury. The Oyster card is a form of electronic ticketing used on public transport services within the Greater London area of the United Kingdom. Northolt Park railway station is a Network Rail station in Northolt, Greater London. See also Sudbury Suffolk for the town with Sudbury station Sudbury & Harrow Road is a Network Rail station served by Chiltern Railways; it is located Sudbury Hill Harrow railway station is a National Rail station in the London Borough of Harrow in northwest London. Wembley Stadium railway station is a Network Rail station in Wembley, Greater London on the Chiltern Main Line. High Wycombe railway station is situated in High Wycombe in South Buckinghamshire Aylesbury railway station is the only Railway station in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. ^[11]

• If the Croxley Rail link gets the go ahead from TfL and Hertfordshire County Council, direct services into Watford junction from Aylesbury will be likely, as it will link the Chilterns to the important commercial centre at Watford and the important transport connections at the Junction. Transport for London ( TfL) is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the Transport system in Greater London in England.

• The High Speed 2 mainline route is under consideration, and preliminary budgets have been made using the M40 / Chiltern Railways route between London and Birmingham. The United Kingdom has four "classic" main Railway lines operating at, plus of High Speed 1 high-speed line. If this goes ahead, a new line will be built between Aynho (just south of Banbury) and the existing High Speed 1 line, joining it between St. Pancras International and Stratford International. St Pancras railway station is a major railway station situated in the St Pancras area of Central London between the British Library and King's Cross Stratford International station is a railway station located in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham in East London. A spur to Heathrow Airport has also been proposed. The remainder of the line will be upgraded to French TGV standard and will split from the mainline again to serve Birmingham International Airport and will terminate at Birmingham Moor Street. The TGV ( t rain à g rande v itesse, French for "high-speed train" is France 's High-speed rail service Birmingham International Airport may refer to Birmingham International Airport (United Kingdom, serving Birmingham England United Kingdom Birmingham Moor Street railway station is one of three main railway stations in the city centre of Birmingham, England. This would allow passengers from Birmingham and other places (Coventry, Warwick, Banbury, Bicester, Aylesbury, Oxford) a direct train link to High Speed 1, previously known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, with the passenger only having to get off at St. Pancras or Stratford to board a Eurostar train. ^[12]

See also

• Varsity Line

References

External links

• Chiltern Railways official home page
• Railnews, Report on Gerrard Cross closure
• Information on the Gerrards Cross Tunnel
• East West Rail Link support group
• East West Rail Link petition