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Sub-Lease of Class 156 Diesel Multiple Unit

Northern Trains Limited

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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30 Sep 2026 at 11:13

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northern Trains Limited is leasing one Class 156 two-car diesel multiple unit from ScotRail Trains Limited to provide additional rolling stock for passenger services on the Northumberland line. North East Mayoral Strategic Authority requested and funds the arrangement. The train is intended to support Northern’s rail operations, with the lease allowing it to be sub-leased to other operators in specified circumstances. It also allows the lease to be transferred to a public sector company operating on the Northern network, and provides for modifications to the train when requested or legally required. The work is the supply and financial leasing of rolling stock. The train will operate on Northern’s network; the stated delivery coverage spans northern England and Scotland.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded to ScotRail Trains Limited by direct award. Northern selected the supplier because it identified ScotRail’s Class 156 unit as the only option able to meet its operational, technical and deployment requirements within the necessary timeframe; the unit was immediately available and compatible with Northern’s existing Class 156 fleet. The award value is £487,315.54 excluding VAT (£584,778.65 including VAT). The lease period runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2028. The award was published on 30 September 2026. The process had one lot, covering the sub-lease of the two-car diesel multiple unit. The contract permits specified sub-leasing, transfer and modification arrangements.

For suppliers considering similar rolling-stock requirements from Northern Trains, this outcome shows that a credible offer needs to meet a specific operational need while fitting the existing fleet and supporting established operating, maintenance, training and engineering arrangements. The selected train’s technical compatibility and immediate deployability were central to the buyer’s decision, alongside the ability to deliver within the required timescale and minimise implementation risk. Suppliers should be able to provide suitable diesel multiple units and support a lease structure that accommodates permitted transfers, sub-leasing and modifications. The requirement was met through a single-supplier direct award on technical grounds, so a competitor would need to demonstrate a viable alternative that satisfies the same operational and compatibility demands.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Sub-Lease of Class 156 Diesel Multiple Unit

Notice Description

Northern Trains Limited requires the temporary lease of additional rolling stock to support passenger rail operations on the Northumberland line as requested and funded by North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (NEMSA). The arrangement comprises the sub-lease of one Class 156 two-car diesel multiple units from ScotRail Trains Limited. The lease makes provision for sub-leasing of the rolling stock to other operators in specified circumstances under the lease, either on a short-term basis (under 48 hours) or on a longer term basis with consent. The lease also permits the assignment, transfer, novation or disposal of all of rights and obligations of the lessee under the lease (a "Transfer") to a public sector company who will also operate the rolling stock on the Northern Network. The lease also contains mechanisms which allow for modification of the rolling stock provided under the lease at the request of either Northern or the lessor, including where this is required by law ("the Modification Provisions"). In the event that the rolling stock is let to a third party, the lease is subject to a Transfer or any of the Modification Provisions are engaged, it is considered that these would be permitted modifications provided for in the contract.

Procurement Information

Northern Trains Limited requires the temporary lease of additional rolling stock to support passenger rail operations on the Northumberland line as requested and funded by North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (NEMSA). Having undertaken a review of available rolling stock options and considered operational, technical and deployment requirements, Northern has identified the proposed Class 156 unit (156492) as the only option of meeting its requirements within the necessary timeframe. The proposed unit is immediately available for transfer from ScotRail Trains Limited and is technically compatible with Northern's existing Class 156 fleet. Introduction of this unit enables Northern to utilise existing operational, maintenance, training and engineering arrangements, thereby minimising implementation risk and ensuring continuity of service provision. Northern has not identified any reasonable alternative rolling stock solution capable of delivering the required operational benefits within the required timescales. Furthermore, the identified Class 156 unit is available only from ScotRail Trains Limited under the proposed sub-lease arrangement. Northern has identified that for technical reasons, competition is absent and the contract can be supplied only by the identified supplier. Northern intends to direct award on this basis in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077d4e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092255-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

34620000 - Rolling stock

66114000 - Financial leasing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£487,315 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Sep 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Northern Trains Limited
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
YORK
Postcode
YO1 6JT
Postcode Area
York
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Micklegate
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ScotRail Trains Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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