Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[778]

It seems to be dragging on in fits and starts.

All 323s will eventually be retired from Birmingham (no re-use planned for the non-Manchester ones as yet). I suspect more 730/0s will be accepted into service before 730/2s.

The current process seems to be one (sometimes two) 730/0s arriving at Willesden for commissioning. Then going into service on South WCML on the ex 319 diagrams causing earlier 730/0s to cascade to Birmingham where they belong. Note there are I THINK only four 730/0s left to arrive from store (730025, 730026, 730034 & 730035). Lost track of how many 730/0s are in the midst of commissioning and FFR (Fault Free Running) which seems to be done on the WCML. So a start on the use of 730/2s might be soon !.

The 730/2s seem to have gone from the sidings at Camden (unless I missed them). I think they could have been moved to Willesden, although I could be wrong about that as well and could have confused them for 350s. When the 730/0s are cascaded to Birmingham will they take over the Walsall - Wolverhampton services?

Also, why can't the newly comissioned 730/0s go straight to Birmingham and the earlier ones stay on the South WCML?

 

[Peter Sarf]

The 730/2s seem to have gone from the sidings at Camden (unless I missed them). I think they could have been moved to Willesden, although I could be wrong about that as well and could have confused them for 350s. When the 730/0s are cascaded to Birmingham will they take over the Walsall - Wolverhampton services?

Also, why can't the newly comissioned 730/0s go straight to Birmingham and the earlier ones stay on the South WCML?

Two 730/2 (730210 & 730211 iirc) have been sent off to Long Marston on Monday as per post 2299 etc. Another pair came from Long Marston.

The 730/0s primarily take over the Cross City line services but also other Birmingham services and I think that includes the Wolverhampton to/from Walsall service and probably the Birmingham to Walsall/Rugely services.

Seems Willesden does the commissioning so the just commissioned units stay close-ish and Soho get them when they are fully bedded in.

 

[cambsy]

Are 730’s doing Rugeley-Birmingham International yet? And how many diagrams on the Walsall-Wolverhampton are 730’s this Saturday?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

No. Wolves - Walsall and X-City only in the west mids so far.

Not sure, 1 or 2 diagrams

 

[cambsy]

Thanks for the info.

 

[wickham]

There was a 730/2 presumably on fault free running heading towards London at Milton Keynes at around 1750 yesterday (8th August), might this have been 730215 ?
Another was in Wembley yard keeping 730043 company at about 1810, might this have been 730227 ?

 

[40029 Saxonia]

Thanks for the info.

730/0 diagrams can be found on Part Time Spotter website - 8 diagrams for Bletchley (4 lots of 2). 17 in West Midlands

 

[DBS92042]

There was a 730/2 presumably on fault free running heading towards London at Milton Keynes at around 1750 yesterday (8th August), might this have been 730215 ?
Another was in Wembley yard keeping 730043 company at about 1810, might this have been 730227 ?

730227 was the unit out on fault free runs on the 08/08 and 09/08

 

[mansonlo49]

Hello, does anyone know whether the original 730/1s (i think units numbered 101–103) have finish converting? Thank you very much

 

[Peter Sarf]

730025 has escaped from Doncaster Belmont Yard.

Anyone know what was on 5Q58 10:19 Belmont - Old Dalby today please.

Many thanks in anticipation…

+

37884 dragging 730025 behind it.

Fingers crossed its journey to Willesden for commissioning is imminent.

 

[wickham]

5Q65 0745 Derby Lit Lane to Oxley has run today (Tues 13/08) presumably a 730 delivery, is it known which one please?

 

[3973EXL]

730221

Realtime Trains | 5Q65 0745 Derby Litchurch Lane to Oxley Car. M.D. | 13/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q65 0745 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Oxley Car. M.D. on 13/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

730225/208

Realtime Trains | 5Q23 1110 Oxley Car. M.D. to Belmont Down Yard | 13/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q23 1110 departure from Oxley Car. M.D. to Belmont Down Yard on 13/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[wickham]

Many thanks 3973EXL for the information.

 

[DavidGrain]

Last night travelling from Euston to Birmingham in the dark I saw some trains I did not recognise in LNR livery. These were in sidings on the Down side but I am not sure if it was Camden or Willesden but I am thinking Camden. I presume there were some of the LNR 730s not yet in service.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Last night travelling from Euston to Birmingham in the dark I saw some trains I did not recognise in LNR livery. These were in sidings on the Down side but I am not sure if it was Camden or Willesden but I am thinking Camden. I presume there were some of the LNR 730s not yet in service.

If they were a dark green / grey livery, those will have been 730/2s.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Last night travelling from Euston to Birmingham in the dark I saw some trains I did not recognise in LNR livery. These were in sidings on the Down side but I am not sure if it was Camden or Willesden but I am thinking Camden. I presume there were some of the LNR 730s not yet in service.

Probably Camden as the down side sidings furthest two lines have each been home to a pair of 730/2s. Not usually easy to see them during the working day between the peaks when Camden fills up but easy to id all four after evening peak.

 

[mansonlo49]

hello everybody something that I seen on realtime trains saying that 5Q99 1227 Old Dalby to Loughborough Brush departing tomorrow, 16th August 2024, which unit is it, thanks

 

[800001]

hello everybody something that I seen on realtime trains saying that 5Q99 1227 Old Dalby to Loughborough Brush departing tomorrow, 16th August 2024, which unit is it, thanks

Until it leave no one will know.

 

[350yes]

730221

Realtime Trains | 5Q65 0745 Derby Litchurch Lane to Oxley Car. M.D. | 13/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q65 0745 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Oxley Car. M.D. on 13/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

730225/208

Realtime Trains | 5Q23 1110 Oxley Car. M.D. to Belmont Down Yard | 13/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q23 1110 departure from Oxley Car. M.D. to Belmont Down Yard on 13/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

730047

Realtime Trains | 5Q69 1105 Wembley Inter City Depot to Soho L.M.D. | 13/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q69 1105 departure from Wembley Inter City Depot to Soho L.M.D. on 13/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5Q69 was not 730047 as that unit is at Rugby.

 

[45076]

Hello, does anyone know whether the original 730/1s (i think units numbered 101–103) have finish converting? Thank you very much

203 is at Crewe, or at least was on 13/08/2024

 

[mansonlo49]

203 is at Crewe, or at least was on 13/08/2024

any news of the other 2？thx

 

[Peter Sarf]

Below two spotted in the "Urgent TOPS Requests" thread.

Anyone know what unit(s) are being hauled by 37608 on 5Q54 Old Dalby to WIllesden at 1038?
Thanks

Above actually 5Q74.

5Q74? 730026 & 730035.

I can confirm still outside Willesden at 21:30 tonight (Friday 23/08/2024).
Alongside Willesden shed on siding nearest (looks like) to West Coast Mainline.
730026 middle-ish of siding coupled to 730035 at London end.

---

EDIT (Saturday 24/08/2024 @ 00:18)

And surely not another 730 so soon ?.
(I believe 730025 is at Old Dalby)
5Q72 Old Dalby to Willesden TMD STP scheduled for this morning Saturday 24/08/2024.

Realtime Trains | 5Q72 0858 Old Dalby to Willesden T.M.D | 24/08/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q72 0858 departure from Old Dalby to Willesden T.M.D on 24/08/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Which I reckon is the more usual headcode for a class 730 delivery

EDIT (Saturday 24/08/2024 @ 10:50)
Hasn't left yet so now almost 2 hours late, activated 07:58 which is exactly one hour before departure so assume it is merely automatic only.

EDIT (Saturday 24/08/2024 @ 11:15)
Aaand CANCELLED !.

EDIT (Sunday 25/08/2024 @ 09:30)
@Geeves - any chance of an update on what is stabled/resting where for a weekday ?.

 

[dave6]

Hi
Passed Camden sidings yesterday and saw 2 x 730/2's.
Managed to id the furthest unit as 205, I'm assuming from reports above that the other unit is 220.
Can anyone confirm this please.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Hi
Passed Camden sidings yesterday and saw 2 x 730/2's.
Managed to id the furthest unit as 205, I'm assuming from reports above that the other unit is 220.
Can anyone confirm this please.

On Friday the 16th of August I saw 730205 and 730220 were in Camden, but can't confirm if the same two are still present, but it's quite likely.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Hi
Passed Camden sidings yesterday and saw 2 x 730/2's.
Managed to id the furthest unit as 205, I'm assuming from reports above that the other unit is 220.
Can anyone confirm this please.

On Tuesday 20/08/2024 furthest siding I got 730220 with 730205 at the buffer/country end.

The last two pairs of 730/2s stabled there for many weeks but in that time they did move only a little and I do believe those did go out for a little run or bigger test/training run but always came back.

Best time to see them is after about 17:00 when all the other commuter stock has left btw.

 

[jackdoyle]

I saw 730/2 730229 passing Bushey circa. 08:00 this morning with Crewe on the dot matrix at the front if that helps anyone to tie up anything.

 

[crosscity]

I saw 730/2 730229 passing Bushey circa. 08:00 this morning with Crewe on the dot matrix at the front if that helps anyone to tie up anything.

There was 1U25 the 07:47 Euston-Crewe, which arrived at Watford Jct at 08:00.
However, it probably wasn't that as there was this, formed of 730229 according to Railcam:
2Q91 the 07:48 Wembley InterCity Depot-Crewe, which left Harrow & Whealdstone at 07:58.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

There was 1U25 the 07:47 Euston-Crewe, which arrived at Watford Jct at 08:00.
However, it probably wasn't that as there was this, formed of 730229 according to Railcam:
2Q91 the 07:48 Wembley InterCity Depot-Crewe, which left Harrow & Whealdstone at 07:58.

Definitely wasn't a 730. There hasn't been any 730/2s in service. All 1Uxx are 350s until December

 

[wickham]

Can anyone say if 730209 has been delivered please (and if so, when) ? I have not picked it up, so it might still be at Derby Works.

 

[778]

Saw a 730/2 at Northampton today around 12:30pm. Not sure why it was there, as I don't think they will be used on the Northampton loop line when they enter service.