---
title: "Train Planning Systems Replacement RFI2"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0775dd"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0775dd"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0775dd.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0775dd.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED"
published: "2026-09-18"
---

# Train Planning Systems Replacement RFI2

Buyer: SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0775dd

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## Summary

South Western Railway Limited is exploring replacement train-planning systems for use across the United Kingdom. The requirement is for specialist software and related services covering the creation, editing, integration and validation of train schedules, rolling-stock diagrams and traincrew diagrams. Systems should support intuitive planning interfaces, visualisation and timetable datasets across long-term, short-term and very short-term planning horizons. The scope also includes secure integration with Network Rail and South Western Railway’s operational, rostering, optimisation and business platforms, using industry-standard data formats and APIs. Other requirements include automated checks against operational rules, formation requirements, mileage constraints, route and traction knowledge, and depot standards, together with secure data exchange, auditability and reporting. Indicative commercial models are also sought. Delivery is across the United Kingdom.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is not an invitation to tender. South Western Railway expects to conduct further preliminary market engagement through a second Request for Information, focused on testing mobilisation timescales. An earlier RFI was issued in January 2026 and responses have been reviewed; the buyer says no engagement events have yet taken place. The planned engagement milestone is due by 1 December 2026, and a subsequent notice is expected on 1 April 2027. The anticipated contract period is from 31 December 2028 to 31 December 2031. The procurement is for services under the utilities regime and is expected to be above the relevant threshold. One lot is planned, with the procurement method and evaluation approach to be developed as the requirement progresses.

This will suit suppliers of rail-specific train-planning platforms, transport software, custom software development and software-related services. Businesses should be able to demonstrate systems that handle complex timetable, rolling-stock and traincrew planning, with strong visualisation and user interfaces across multiple planning horizons. Relevant preparation should include secure, reliable integration with Network Rail and wider operational, rostering, optimisation and business systems through standard data formats and APIs. Useful capabilities include automated validation against railway operating rules, train formations, mileage limits, route and traction knowledge, and depot requirements. Suppliers should also be ready to explain audit trails, reporting, secure data exchange and workable commercial and mobilisation models. The planned lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so specialist technology firms may wish to engage early and shape the emerging requirement.

## Notice

South Western Railway (SWR) will be seeking information from the market regarding Train Planning Systems capable of supporting the creation, editing, integration, and validation of train schedules, rolling stock diagrams, and traincrew diagrams. The requirement covers systems that provide intuitive planning interfaces, comprehensive visualisation tools, and the ability to manage date-bound timetable datasets across long-term, short-term, and very short-term planning horizons. The scope includes solutions that can integrate securely and efficiently with Network Rail systems and SWR's operational, rostering, optimisation, and business platforms, using industry-standard data formats and APIs. Suppliers are also invited to provide information on systems that support automated validation of rolling stock and traincrew diagrams, including checks against operational rules, formation requirements, mileage constraints, route and traction knowledge, and depot-specific standards. SWR is additionally seeking insight into system capabilities for secure data exchange, auditability, and reporting, as well as indicative commercial models associated with delivering these functionalities.

### Planning Information

SWR004570 - Train Planning Systems Replacement
The link that enable suppliers to view the documents and respond to this RFI has been added: https://swrl.medius-s2c.com/S2C/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ListEvents.aspx?ApplicationInstanceID=27adc89e-0cb2-4b51-9bc1-34061f10156f
SWR published an initial RFI to test market interest and it is now issuing a second RFI to test mobilisation timescales. No events have taken place, only the review of responses provided by suppliers in the first RFI round.
RFI1 was issued on January 2026:
South Western Railway (SWR) will undertake preliminary market engagement to gather information from suppliers capable of providing a modern Train Planning System. The scope of this engagement covers system capabilities including schedule creation, rolling stock and traincrew diagramming, user interface design, system integration, secure data exchange, automated validation, and associated commercial models.
The engagement will be conducted remotely through the publication of a Request for Information (RFI). The RFI will be published on 19 January on Find a Tender and will remain open for responses until 19 February, providing a one month window for suppliers to review the materials and submit their responses. No in‑person events are currently planned; however, should SWR schedule any virtual briefings or supplier sessions, details will be shared with suppliers who have expressed interest.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088890-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 2 Apr 2027 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Dec 2028 - 31 Dec 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY LIMITED |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Postcode area | South East London |
| Postcode | SE1 9LQ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark |
| Local authority | Southwark |
| Electoral ward | Borough & Bankside |
| Westminster constituency | Bermondsey and Old Southwark |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 48100000 - Industry specific software package
- 72230000 - Custom software development services
- 72260000 - Software-related services

## Release History

- 18 Sep 2026 at 16:47 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088890-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088890-2026
  18th September 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://swrl.medius-s2c.com/S2C/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ListEvents.aspx?ApplicationInstanceID=27adc89e-0cb2-4b51-9bc1-34061f10156f
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0775dd. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0775dd.json.