THERE may not have been a train order placed for the national network (excluding HS2) since the summer of 2019, but that does not mean that new trains are not being introduced.
Several fleets have been delayed for various operators, for various reasons, and their eventual introduction is now resulting in the age of various fleets dropping.
Every October, the UK’s rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) releases information regarding the infrastructure and assets of the mainline rail network. This data covers traction type and average age of rolling stock by train operator, track and route length, including how much is electrified, and the number of mainline stations.
This information is sourced via Network Rail, Amey Infrastructure Wales Limited, Transport for London and the Rail Safety and Standards Board, and covers the period from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.
According to the latest ORR figures, as of March 31 this year, there were 15,220 railway vehicles registered in operation for all passenger train operators (this does not include heritage or charter operators). Of these, some 70% were electric, 19% were diesel, 7% were bi-mode and 4% were locomotive-hauled.
The ORR reports that the average age of rolling stock for all passenger train operators as of March 31 this year was 16.7 years. The operator
