Does that mean that the idea of running 730s on the Trent Valley is dead, or is this an interim measure? Either way, the capacity improvements will be welcome!
There’s only around 9 or 10 more 730/0s to go, and they’re firing them out at a speed of around one per week, it shouldn’t be much longer until we start seeing the first LNR examples, I wouldn’t imagine.
Do you think the LNR units could be in service by next summer?
A driver that I spoke to (I realise they're not the best source all the time) said that there were plans to see off the first few 350/2s with the 730/0s running out of Euston.
Historically LNWR kept 350/2 usage low as Porterbrook did charges depending on how used they were, I'm not sure what the lease is like now but I'd expect Porterbrook to want the 323s first given their future customer.
Seimens have always said there's no reason why it wouldn't work, just LNR never signed it off. It's slightly awkward in its announcing for UDS but not issue with working it. Just needs UDS checks for all platforms and then it will be fine.
730s will still run as 10car units. The 12 car 350 is a temporary idea to boost capacity at weekends due to overcrowded services. Depots would rather have 2tph on the Trent instead but not going to happen.
That's certainly good to hear, the Trent Valley service needs any form of capacity enhancement it can get.
Not heard any grumbles from drivers who did initial testing at Melton Mowbray, quite the opposite. Haven't heard much about issues during fault free running either so it sounds far more promising than the 196s!
Well fleet are saying 2-3 weeks and that was 3 day ago. Obviously no guarantee, but they clearly have a date in mind
Have you heard anything more about the interiors of the LNR 730s? Would you still expect them to have 2+2 seating?
@SCDR_WMR has always been a very well informed poster before. I'd be surprised if he was that off.
There's no need for insults. I'm passing on the internal information that was issued last week, and I'm a CURRENT WMT employee.
I would agree there's work to be done.....
I think the exec team has an aspiration but there are outstanding issues
I for one would just like to say that I'm very grateful for the internal information you share, and apologise for the (unintentionally I'm sure) careless way in which that post about you was worded.
Wembley? LNWR doesn’t call there (at least not regularly)I for one would just like to say that I'm very grateful for the internal information you share, and apologise for the (unintentionally I'm sure) careless way in which that post about you was worded.
Let's hope no one at Euston/Wembley/Harrow/Bushey/Watford mistakes these bright orange Aventras for London Overground trains! True, they've got bits of purple and a gangway, but they still look a lot more like a 710 than a LNR-liveried 350!
Okay, I've certainly taken a 350 to Wembley Central several times but if they've stopped serving it, it's hardly here nor there to what I was saying; they still serve Euston, Harrow, Bushey and Watford, and knowing some of the public, I wouldn't expect the fact the orange train is turning up on a different platform from usual to deter some from thinking "Ooh, there's the next Overground service!"
It'll be great if the 730s do enter service this month, but it feels like a 'good things come to those who wait' situation. I suspect the 730s will be most welcome when they arrive, based on my experience with the 196s!I'll echo that about the welcome information from @SCDR_WMR which is always appreciated
I’ll have to get the tape measure out next time I’m on a 720!
Like night and day with what they have now. Worlds apart from the rank 323s, with their clinical bright interior, muffled TrainFX PIS, 3+2 upright seating and lack of tables. Well done WMT and Alstom.
