Diesel Trains is a company set up by the Department for Transport with the intention of funding and managing the procurement of up to 200 diesel multiple unit vehicles as part of the British Government's planned purchase of as many as 1300 new rail vehicles.
The company was incorporated in February 2009 following the announcement of the first 200 vehicles in late 2008 as part of the Pre-Budget Report - the speed of this announcement (the final contract to be signed in April 2009) led the government to take the lead in financing the procurement, through a public company. However, the DfT have stated that it does not intend to serve in the long-term as a lessor of rolling stock. As a consequence, once the procurement process is completed, the DfT will sell Diesel Trains Ltd, either as a whole, or by selling its assets and contracts.[1]
Diesel Trains will have responsibility for the purchase and distribution of 202 DMU vehicles to three TOCs - First Great Western, First TransPennine Express and Northern Rail. The order itself will encompass a total of 61 trains, with 19 four-car and 42 three-car.[2]
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