Chiltern Railways

Chiltern Railways is a train operating company in England. 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. 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. In 2002 a new 20 year franchise began which promises significant investment in the route.

Related Topics:
Train operating company - England - British Rail - Marylebone station - London - Aylesbury - Birmingham Snow Hill - 2003 - Laing - Privatisation

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The London to Birmingham route used by Chiltern Railways goes via High Wycombe, Bicester, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Warwick and Solihull. The line to Aylesbury via Amersham shares tracks with London Underground's Metropolitan Line between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham.

Related Topics:
High Wycombe - Bicester - Banbury - Leamington Spa - Warwick - Solihull - London Underground - Metropolitan Line - Harrow-on-the-Hill - Amersham

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Some trains continue beyond Birmingham Snow Hill station to Stourbridge Junction or Kidderminster, where the preserved steam Severn Valley Railway starts at the adjacent Kidderminster Town station. On certain summer weekends special services are extended from Aylesbury to the Buckinghamshire Railway Heritage Centre facilities at Quainton Road, a short way south of Verney Junction.

Related Topics:
Birmingham Snow Hill station - Stourbridge Junction - Kidderminster - Severn Valley Railway - Kidderminster Town station - Buckinghamshire Railway Heritage Centre - Quainton Road - Verney Junction

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A shuttle service operates on the branch line from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough on the line to Birmingham via High Wycombe. Certain services from Marylebone via High Wycombe also provide a limited through service to Aylesbury.

Related Topics:
Aylesbury - Princes Risborough

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Chiltern Railways operates services using a modern fleet of Class 165 "Turbo" and 168 "Clubman" units. The "Turbo" units are currently undergoing refurbishment work at Bombardier's Ilford Works. Chiltern also operates a single Class 121 "Bubble Car" on its Aylesbury to Princes Risborough shuttle. This unit was extensively refurbished, and provides cover for "Turbo" units away undergoing refurbishment.

Related Topics:
Class 165 "Turbo" - 168 "Clubman" - Bombardier - Class 121 "Bubble Car"

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Going by the 'peak time' punctuality statistics published by the SRA, they are the 5th most punctual train operating company.

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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. Nobody was injured but the line was closed for over six weeks. It eventually reopened on 20 August 2005. 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.

Related Topics:
Gerrards Cross railway station - Tesco - 30 June - 2005 - 20 August

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