Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[SCDR_WMR]

I remember reading about that in the business plan commitments document. It's unfortunate that they have no interest in using it, UDS is one of the biggest floors of the 350s.

7 cars fit in the platforms at Smethwick GB, with 9 metres to spare on the shortest platform, but having to ensure you're in the front 4 coaches is a bit of a pain. It's a similar story at Penkridge where you'd be able to just about fit 5 cars on platform 2.

Having initially been trained on 172s I detest UDS operations. Would be interesting to see how good ASDO is on 350s.

Galton Bridge is one of the worst, and certainly the worst for passengers over carried.
Penkridge is less of a concern. I'd say Rugeley TV platform 3 would be more useful.

Whether they change their mind on ASDO once 730s are launched I'm not sure, plenty of units don't have the switch fitted yet.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2025 ==

ASDO will be used, just as it’s already in use with 730s.

You have a source for this information?

 

[james_the_xv]

5Q71 went Old Dalby to Bletchley this afternoon with 730225

[image showing 37510 hauling 730225 through Milton Keynes, taken from the north end of P3/4]

 

[sqwizz]

730205 a little while ago at Bletchley, with some nice looking seats

 

[Halish Railway]

730205 a little while ago at Bletchley, with some nice looking seats

Are those seats throughout the train or only in the declassified first class area?

 

[sqwizz]

Are those seats throughout the train or only in the declassified first class area?

Unfortunately I didn't get to find out because it reversed off before I could walk any further! They look too nice for standard class imo. I won't get my hopes up.

 

[AJDesiro]

Are those seats throughout the train or only in the declassified first class area?

That’s just the declassified first class area, the rest of the train has these Kiel seats:

(Images show the interior of a 730/2 in standard class, showcasing the wheelchair space, luggage storage, and general images of the seating)

 

[Silverlinky]

Some of my pics from the interior of the train

 

[AJDesiro]

Some of my pics from the interior of the train

Thanks for these, it's great to see what they look like from the inside!
Legroom looks pleasing, I think these could prove themselves as very capable regional EMUs.

 

[Ian Hardy]

Does anyone know which Class 730/2 units are currently being stored at Doncaster Decoy Yard?

I went past Doncaster Decoy Yard this afternoon on a southbound LNER service.

Many thanks

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Looks like 9th June should see the first 5-car units in operation on the MKC-EUS stoppers.

BHM-LIV still planned for later in the year once the operating issues have been resolved

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Looks like 9th June should see the first 5-car units in operation on the MKC-EUS stoppers.

Would this be in place of one of the existing 730/0 diagrams, or would it be an additional diagram please?

Assuming the former - would it be one of the two "all day" diagrams?

 

[800001]

Looks like 9th June should see the first 5-car units in operation on the MKC-EUS stoppers.

BHM-LIV still planned for later in the year once the operating issues have been resolved

Email sent to LNWR staff confirms the date of 9th June.

 

[MalaiseForever]

Saw a one of these leaving Crewe around 1215 - assuming a training run.

 

[778]

Looks like 9th June should see the first 5-car units in operation on the MKC-EUS stoppers.

BHM-LIV still planned for later in the year once the operating issues have been resolved

Is Euston-Crewe still planned for June?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Email sent to LNWR staff confirms the date of 9th June.

Still a 'should' may still get pushed back if training isn't far enough along

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Apr 2025 ==

Is Euston-Crewe still planned for June?

Today's comms suggests not. My opinion is that is for December.

 

[778]

Still a 'should' may still get pushed back if training isn't far enough along

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Apr 2025 ==


Today's comms suggests not. My opinion is that is for December.

Would you expect a slow introduction with them taking over more diagrams over time like it was with the 730/0s?

 

[Russel]

Some of my pics from the interior of the train

They look decent and can't wait for them to start on the Trent Valley.

They seem to have settled in on the Cross-City quite well so fingers crossed the LNWR examples are the same.

Though regarding the Cross-City, I don't understand why SDO is still being used in a couple of places when they seem to fit on the platforms with a couple of meters to spare.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Would you expect a slow introduction with them taking over more diagrams over time like it was with the 730/0s?

Yes, gradually seems wise. See if the /2s suffer from the same door faults issues

 

[Silverlinky]

Is Euston-Crewe still planned for June?

All that has been mentioned so far is that the introduction of the 730/2's will allow the withdrawal of further 350/2's. As the units work a variety of services on any given diagram it is entirely possible that the 730's could work Tring, Birmingham and Crewe on any given day.

Driver Instructors from Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry were trained last week at Bletchley. Crewe are already doing their own training too.

There is a staff event planned at Northampton for 16th May, a meet the 730 train type thing, normally a sign that they are not too far from entering service.

 

[mansonlo49]

Hello I was looking on RTT and saw a path of assumed 730 move from Gascoigne Wood to Old Dalby tomorrow (29/4), may I please ask which 730 is being stored at that site? Thank you

 

[nigelsporne]

There appears to be a 5Q77 today from Gascoigne Wood to Bletchley. Is this a 730/2 movement?

 

[800001]

There appears to be a 5Q77 today from Gascoigne Wood to Bletchley. Is this a 730/2 movement?

If it runs then yes that’s all it can be.

 

[Covshire1]

If it runs then yes that’s all it can be.

It should be running on Monday. Inbound loco move hasn't ran this morning.

 

[Razor1967]

Has anybody got an up to date list of the Class 730/2s stored at Doncaster Belmont Yard please. Identified 730238 but there were several others too.

Many thanks.

 

[scottie]

I think they only built up to 730236

 

[60159]

I think they only built up to 730236

Saw 229 and pretty sure 218 from Balby Carr Rd. There was at least one more. I’m pretty sure WNXX had a picture of one going from Gascoine Wood th Doncaster last week. It was 22?

 

[Razor1967]

Has anybody got an up to date list of the Class 730/2s stored at Doncaster Belmont Yard please. Identified 730238 but there were several others too.

I think they only built up to 730236

Oops, my eyesight must be failing me !!!

 

[Kyle_Lennard]

Is there an ETA on when the 730/2s are due to enter service.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Is there an ETA on when the 730/2s are due to enter service.

9th June has been mentioned a few times, out of Euston.

Not clear yet if it's in place of one of, or is in addition to, the current four 730/0 diagrams.

 

[Kyle_Lennard]

9th June has been mentioned a few times, out of Euston.

Not clear yet if it's in place of one of, or is in addition to, the current four 730/0 diagrams.

I don't know if LNWR have plans to have the 730/2 cleared for the Birmingham Diagrams in the future so in case a unit needs to stand in for a 350 on one of those workings