Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[Liam L]

They’ll be miles better than 323s I should think - 2+2 seating with tables, carpet, air con, LED lighting etc.

Definitely. Also cycle spaces too I believe. Which is currently a pain on a 323 as the cycle space is shared with the buggy / wheelchair space so will nice to have it separate.

 

[DJH1971]

Are they any nearer to entering service?

 

[800001]

730025 and 730034 to Doncaster today.

 

[AJDesiro]

Are they any nearer to entering service?

Someone on WNXX said that a Bletchley guard (Chris Warmen) had said 23/10 if training continues as planned.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Someone on WNXX said that a Bletchley guard had said 23/10 of training continues as planned.

That date sounds about right. Still only Bletchley being signed off as conductor plans for other depots not confirmed

 

[The_Train]

Someone on WNXX said that a Bletchley guard (Chris Warmen) had said 23/10 if training continues as planned.

That would fit the latest narrative of the LNR 319s only surviving until the end of this month (although we've heard it all before )

 

[Russel]

Someone on WNXX said that a Bletchley guard (Chris Warmen) had said 23/10 if training continues as planned.

What routes would they end up working first, if this happens?

Do Bletchley guards cover the full Trent Valley route?

 

[james_the_xv]

What routes would they end up working first, if this happens?

Do Bletchley guards cover the full Trent Valley route?

I'd imagine MKC/Tring - Euston.

Not totally sure on the guard question, but they do do crew changes at Rugby so I don't think so for now.

 

[AJDesiro]

What routes would they end up working first, if this happens?

Do Bletchley guards cover the full Trent Valley route?

MKC/Tring-Euston. Bletchley traincrew cover London-Birmingham via both Weedon and Northampton, some also cover the Marston Vale too, but the 730/0s won't make it north of Northampton, yet.

There's two good threads in the Railway Jobs & Careers subforum about driver/guard routes.

 

[Silverlinky]

The 730/0's are not planned to run north of Milton Keynes, and with maintenance at Bletchley there is no need for moves to Northampton as was the case for 319's.

The first 730 diagram will be replaced either 23rd or 30th October with a further one the following week. The third will be a couple of weeks behind them.

Bletchley guards the only ones being trained on 730's for West Coast use, and they do not sign the Trent Valley route. Northampton and Crewe guards share work on the Euston-Crewe services.

 

[warwickshire]

The 730/0's are not planned to run north of Milton Keynes, and with maintenance at Bletchley there is no need for moves to Northampton as was the case for 319's.

The first 730 diagram will be replaced either 23rd or 30th October with a further one the following week. The third will be a couple of weeks behind them.

Bletchley guards the only ones being trained on 730's for West Coast use, and they do not sign the Trent Valley route. Northampton and Crewe guards share work on the Euston-Crewe services.

Exactly what I heard from a Lnwr guard last night, when travelling the Lnwr 319s for final time, however take with a pinch of salt disclaimer, possible 30th October 2023 just a slight bit more, due to same day the 150 event is taking place at Bletchley. Put the two together making the 30Th October 2023. IE A positive, possible launch day for both the150 and 730 together at Bletchley as a introduction to the new fleet launch event etc. But wait and see.

 

[Techniquest]

Wow we are close to seeing 730s in passenger action then! I smell a visit to MKC next month!

Can someone confirm it was 730009 on test at Stafford at around 1245, 13/10/2023 (today) please? I arrived on 390124, en-route to Crewe, and while it looked like I'd read '009' on the white numbers above the driver's windscreen I'd like to be sure

 

[AJDesiro]

I've read something saying that guards are only being passed out on them to work empty until an issue with the passcoms is rectified. Does anyone know if this is true, or just wibble?

 

[Liam L]

I've read something saying that guards are only being passed out on them to work empty until an issue with the passcoms is rectified. Does anyone know if this is true, or just wibble?

Something doesn't add up, if the passcoms anit working they wouldn't be going into service so why would there be a need for a guard?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Something doesn't add up, if the passcoms anit working they wouldn't be going into service so why would there be a need for a guard?

Agreed. Can't say I've heard anything, sounds like maybe one unit has a passcomm problem which means it cant go into service. I guess we'll find out in a week or so.

 

[AJDesiro]

Agreed. Can't say I've heard anything, sounds like maybe one unit has a passcomm problem which means it cant go into service. I guess we'll find out in a week or so.

That’s what I thought would be the case, I don’t see how there could be a fleet wide issue when the similar 720s (and other Aventra’s) don’t have many issues.

 

[norbitonflyer]

The first 730 diagram will be replaced either 23rd or 30th October with a further one the following week. The third will be a couple of weeks behind them.

Any idea which diagrams will be the first?

 

[Jacob Porrett]

730007 and 730006 were on test at Stafford today. They both departed at the same time heading to Crewe on their respective services.

 

[Merle Haggard]

730007 and 730006 were on test at Stafford today. They both departed at the same time heading to Crewe on their respective services.

Weekdays there seems to be a regular departure from Stafford around 13.45 to Crewe for 730s on test. About this time, there's a Blackpool down the slow and a Manchester via Crewe down the fast both stopping at Stafford and it runs in front of both, after seeming to test the doors in the down fast platform Doesn't seem ideal.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Weekdays there seems to be a regular departure from Stafford around 13.45 to Crewe for 730s on test. About this time, there's a Blackpool down the slow and a Manchester via Crewe down the fast both stopping at Stafford and it runs in front of both, after seeming to test the doors in the down fast platform Doesn't seem ideal.

They both arrived and around 2-3 minutes later they both departed. Didn't test doors or anything. More millage runs by the looks of it.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

They both arrived and around 2-3 minutes later they both departed. Didn't test doors or anything. More millage runs by the looks of it.

DI retraining runs for Crewe Drivers I believe. They do the door testing on milage runs which tend to sit at Stafford a while

 

[Silverlinky]

I've read something saying that guards are only being passed out on them to work empty until an issue with the passcoms is rectified. Does anyone know if this is true, or just wibble?

Guards and Drivers. The passcom reset is in the drivers cab, remembering these trains were designed for Driver Only. The question was who presses the reset button.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Guards and Drivers. The passcom reset is in the drivers cab, remembering these trains were designed for Driver Only. The question was who presses the reset button.

Why is that even an issue, I've never worked a traction that the guard uses the reset in the cabs, yes they use a T-key to deactivate the pressed passcom, but I can't see there being an issue with the drivers resetting it in the cabs.

I haven't had the chance to view the training documentation for the 730s yet though as they are with the area manager, be interested in knowing what it says.

 

[AJDesiro]

but I can't see there being an issue with the drivers resetting it in the cabs.

According to WNXX, drivers won't reset them but don't want the guards to come into the cab to do it either.

 

[CHAPS2034]

Oooh. Looking forward to having a go - if anyone gets wind of what diagram and what day that'd be brilliant, as I'm sure I can coincide a trip to the office with it!

Looking forward to reading your review, no doubt including comments on seats and seating / window line-up...

 

[Jamesrob637]

Are these going to enter passenger service on Monday or Monday week?

 

[37884]

I spoke to a driver today, apparently the 730s are still miles off and training is no where near complete.

 

[AJDesiro]

I spoke to a driver today, apparently the 730s are still miles off and training is no where near complete.

Out of curiosity, do you know roughly where this driver was based?

 

[37884]

Was a 319 driver, so probably based at Bletchley?

 

[AJDesiro]

Was a 319 driver, so probably based at Bletchley?

Ah, it seems quite surprising when I’ve heard the 23rd being mentioned quite a lot, especially when driver training has been ongoing for some time.