The British Rail Mark 5A: A Modern Railway Carriage With A Turbulent History

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed to modernize regional travel, the Mark 5A fleet represents a significant chapter in British rail engineering. From their initial launch as the Nova 3 to their recent transition to Chiltern Railways, these locomotive-hauled coaches have faced technical challenges, operational shifts, and a unique journey across the UK rail network.

The Mark 5A project began in 2016 when TransPennine Express announced the procurement of 126 new vehicles from the Spanish manufacturer CAF. This order included 66 locomotive-hauled coaches, intended to operate as 13 five-carriage sets pulled by Class 68 locomotives. Branded as the Nova 3, these sets were designed to provide a modern passenger experience, featuring a mix of first-class and standard-class carriages, including specialized driving trailers. Production commenced in October 2016, with the first completed bodyshell revealed in March 2017.

Following testing at the Velim centre in 2018, the first Nova 3 set was handed over to TransPennine Express in April 2019. Passenger service officially began on 24 August 2019, connecting Liverpool Lime Street with Scarborough. However, the fleet soon encountered difficulties. By 2022, only four sets were in daily use, leading to concerns about underutilization. The situation worsened in 2023 when structural issues, specifically cracks, were discovered in several coaches. Consequently, TransPennine Express decided to withdraw the fleet during the December 2023 timetable revision.

Despite their withdrawal from active service, the story of the Mark 5A continued. The coaches remained in storage until a new opportunity arose through Beacon Rail. In August 2025, it was announced that Chiltern Railways would lease the full fleet of 13 five-carriage sets to replace their aging Mark 3 stock. After refurbishment and preparation, the Mark 5A coaches returned to passenger service in January 2026 under the Chiltern Explorer brand. This transition marks a new phase for the vehicles, shifting them from their original northern routes to the Chiltern network, where they continue to serve as a key component of modern British rolling stock.

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