---
title: "Class 350 Lease"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06c9fb"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c9fb"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c9fb.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c9fb.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED"
published: "2026-07-13"
---

# Class 350 Lease

Buyer: NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c9fb

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## Summary

The public procurement process, directed by Northern Trains Limited, involves the award of a contract titled "Class 350 Lease" for the lease of 37 Class 350/2 electric multiple units. This 16-year lease aims to replace the current Class 323 electric multiple unit fleet in the Greater Manchester area. The procurement is in the 'Award' stage with the contract start date set for 17th August 2026. The lease includes options for early termination and sub-leasing provisions. This direct award was made under the UK's procurement regulations, necessitated by the operational needs and timetable of Northern Trains. The central location for this activity is in York, United Kingdom, relevant to the services industry category, specifically within the utilities sector.

This tender offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses involved in the railway industry, particularly those specialising in financial leasing services. Large enterprises capable of providing advanced railway stock that meets specific technical and operational requirements will find this tender highly suitable. The direct award to Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited, a major player in railway leasing, underscores the need for businesses with established infrastructure and expertise in large-scale rolling stock management and leasing capabilities. The ability for other operators to engage in sub-leasing further extends opportunities across various facets of the railway operating sector.

## Notice

Intention to direct award a 16-year lease of a fleet of 37 Class 350/2 electric multiple units to replace the current Class 323 electric multiple unit fleet which Northern Trains Limited ("Northern") lease and operate on the Northern Network, primarily in the Greater Manchester area. The lease will include an ability for Northern to break the lease after 8 years (in August 2034) where the rolling stock fails to meet performance targets in respect of reliability and availability. As part of the proposed leasing of the class 350 fleet, Northern have also agreed with the lessor that the lessor will agree to the termination of the lease by the same lessor of a fleet of 34 class 323 electric multiple units early, allowing the class 350 fleet to be substituted for the class 323 fleet without any increase in subsidy required to Northern to enable leasing of the class 350 fleet. 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

Due to reducing performance of its current class 323 fleet, Northern requires introduction of a fleet of trains which will continue to meet its operational and capacity requirements to replace that existing fleet for at least its current term. Having carried out a detailed market review, and having consulted with third parties, Northern have identified the proposed class 350 fleet as the only train fleet which meets its technical, operational and capacity requirements for the relevant service provision within the required timeframe. Northern has not identified any reasonable alternative to the leasing of the class 350 fleet, and only the proposed lessor can provide that fleet, Northern intend to direct award on that basis in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 Procurement Act 2023.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065810-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 13 Jul 2026 |
| Contract period | 16 Aug 2026 - 16 Aug 2042 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £222,022,200 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED |
| Locality | YORK |
| Post town | York |
| Postcode | YO1 6JT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE2 North Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE21 York |
| Local authority | York |
| Electoral ward | Micklegate |
| Westminster constituency | York Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | PORTERBROOK LEASING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 66 - Financial and insurance services

### Codes

- 66114000 - Financial leasing services

## Release History

- 13 Jul 2026 at 16:42 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065810-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065810-2026
  13th July 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.porterbrook.co.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

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