CHILTERN Railways has been named Train Operator of the Year for 2001.

A day earlier it won a 20-year franchise from the Strategic Rail Authority to continue running trains on its established routes.

It was also highly commended in the Rail Business of the Year category, at an awards ceremony at London's Savoy Hotel, sponsored by HSBC Rail.

Chiltern will be spending up to £361 million of private money on new trains, more trains, more punctual trains, better track, improved safety, improved stations, better driver training, and more links with other forms of public transport under its new contract, announced last Monday by the chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, Richard Bowker, and Chiltern Railways' managing director, Adrian Shooter.

Chiltern runs trains from Marylebone, to High Wycombe and Birmingham and to Aylesbury via Amersham and Great Missenden.

The aim is to get 15 out of 16 trains running on time by the end of next year and 50 per cent more passenger journeys by 2010.

The contract promises more off-peak trains from High Wycombe to London, the upgrading of the area round High Wycombe station, and a further £5 million to either rebuild or improve the station.

Steve Murphy, Chiltern Railways general manager, said: "Being named as Train Operator of the Year is a fantastic achievement and a testament to our staff who have worked tirelessly to provide the highest levels of customer service all day, every day."

Chiltern Railways won Best Rail Route at last year's National Rail Awards.