London NorthWestern Railway Class 350/2 withdrawal

[Pumbaa]

In all fairness, the 805/807 fleet needed far less testing (the 805 didn't even need a proper braking test), which helped them enter service after only 5 years rather than 6 (730/0) or nearly 8 (730/2) years. The main hurdle at the moment is driver training, since I am lead to understand that traincrew(?) diagrams on the future 730/2 services are quite complex. The 730/0s were rolled out at a rate of about one a week once they started appearing on the cross city line.

The unit and traincrew diagrams to replace 350/2 are really complex. The railway is essentially moving from a Northampton and Crewe based one to a Bletchley based railway. In time that comes with all sorts of benefits but in the interim, the rollout is complex and full of nasty surprises. I’ve been involved in more new trains rollouts than I care to remember, and I think the 730/2 is the most complex I’ve ever had the misfortune to be involved with.

For an operator that usually flies under the radar, especially at the London end, it’s a fascinating jigsaw to get it to all work in the right time.

 

[Silverlinky]

5Z17 1054 Northampton EMD to DB Cargo Fan A&B SDGS, any info thanks?

This was formed of 350237 and 350239

 

[mansonlo49]

This was formed of 350237 and 350239

Thanks for the info

 

[Johnhayworth21]

Noticed a Wembley - Long Marston move on RTT for tomorrow, could it be the first 350/2's off to storage? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K38685/2025-07-03/detailed

 

[720_Aventra]

Noticed a Wembley - Long Marston move on RTT for tomorrow, could it be the first 350/2's off to storage? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K38685/2025-07-03/detailed

Yep since they are the only trains that are stored at Wembley as far as I'm aware

 

[fgwrich]

Noticed a Wembley - Long Marston move on RTT for tomorrow, could it be the first 350/2's off to storage? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K38685/2025-07-03/detailed

Yes. Mr Clinnick tweeted earlier than the first units are to be moved to Long Marston for storage. A real shame that they still don’t have a home to go to - the Desiro is still a fantastic unit.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes. Mr Clinnick tweeted earlier than the first units are to be moved to Long Marston for storage. A real shame that they still don’t have a home to go to - the Desiro is still a fantastic unit.

That the 730/2s exist at all is just because of Porterbrook (I think) charging too much for the 350/2s, something which has been an issue for their entire existence. Had they backed down and reduced the lease costs to be similar to the other 350s this whole situation would have been unlikely to have arisen.

 

[tfw756rider]

That the 730/2s exist at all is just because of Porterbrook (I think) charging too much for the 350/2s, something which has been an issue for their entire existence. Had they backed down and reduced the lease costs to be similar to the other 350s this whole situation would have been unlikely to have arisen.

Yes, Porterbrook own the 350/2s; it's the 350/1/3/4s that are owned by Angel.

 

[Silverlinky]

Yep since they are the only trains that are stored at Wembley as far as I'm aware

There are still some 321's peeking out between the 350's

 

[Southern Dvr]

There are still some 321's peeking out between the 350's

Last of those went last week.

 

[DBS92042]

Noticed a Wembley - Long Marston move on RTT for tomorrow, could it be the first 350/2's off to storage? https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K38685/2025-07-03/detailed

Reported as 37407 + 350237

 

[Silverlinky]

Reported as 37407 + 350237

Heavily delayed leaving Wembley but on the move now 105' late

 

[Class15]

Is this the first sign that there is no hope of the 350/2s finding new work?

 

[DBS92042]

Is this the first sign that there is no hope of the 350/2s finding new work?

Long Marston is a Porterbrook site, whereas Wembley isn't so I imagine it's to reduce storage costs. But could also mean there's nothing immediately lined up for them I suppose

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Long Marston is a Porterbrook site, whereas Wembley isn't so I imagine it's to reduce storage costs. But could also mean there's nothing immediately lined up for them I suppose

I would say it is likely both.

I wouldn't say there's "no hope", but there's certainly no immediate prospects (because someone would have announced it).

 

[Silverlinky]

Long Marston is a Porterbrook site, whereas Wembley isn't so I imagine it's to reduce storage costs. But could also mean there's nothing immediately lined up for them I suppose

Going to cost a bit to haul them up there one at a time though!

 

[mansonlo49]

It’s been quiet for a while again on this thread, is there any further updates on these units? Due to more 730/2 diagrams introducing soon

 

[Silverlinky]

It’s been quiet for a while again on this thread, is there any further updates on these units? Due to more 730/2 diagrams introducing soon

Next 730/2 diagram introduction is on 18th August.

 

[mansonlo49]

Next 730/2 diagram introduction is on 18th August.

which route'll it be? as I've seen that tomorrow which is 21st have some 730s on the Liverpool Birmingham route

 

[SCDR_WMR]

It’s been quiet for a while again on this thread, is there any further updates on these units? Due to more 730/2 diagrams introducing soon

Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

I had a journey on one of the 730/0s on the Chase line the other day, and happened to use the (working!) toilet onboard and noticed that it had evidently been graffitied but cleaned off, albeit it was still obvious that it had been graffitied and it got me thinking… The LNR-refurbished 350s...

www.railforums.co.uk

See the 730 thread

 

[childwallblues]

which route'll it be? as I've seen that tomorrow which is 21st have some 730s on the Liverpool Birmingham route

That is what I have been told. 730233/34 have moved to Crewe to start the service.

 

[mansonlo49]

That is what I have been told. 730233/34 have moved to Crewe to start the service.

thanks，I see

 

[185]

Is this the first sign that there is no hope of the 350/2s finding new work?

Trains going nowhere don't make money, I can see these being let soon when the full usable fleet size is known, ie when the current operator hands them all over.

The fact that they were being gauge tested on Chat Moss (Liverpool-Manchester) suggests there is a fair bit of interest.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

The fact that they were being gauge tested on Chat Moss (Liverpool-Manchester) suggests there is a fair bit of interest.

TPE ran 350s over Chat Moss a while ago, did they really never clear them between Golborne and Liverpool?

 

[185]

Probably, but there's been a lot of infrastructure changes since then, platforms rebuilt & extended. But I use the phrase gauge testing loosely - I'm guessing it was primarily not to see what it scrapes.. more likely to look at workability - dwell times, signal siting etc. They move a lot of people and they are better than many other units up north, not just in passenger comfort.

 

[Dspatula]

Unofficially, replacing 323s with some reformed to 3 cars. Nothing is true until it actually happens though.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

That is what I have been told. 730233/34 have moved to Crewe to start the service.

I cleaned them on Thursday. First on a 730 as well.

 

[E B]

Unofficially, replacing 323s with some reformed to 3 cars. Nothing is true until it actually happens though.

Strange decision if that is true, considering they bought the ex-WMR 323's last year.

 

[43096]

Strange decision if that is true, considering they bought the ex-WMR 323's last year.

Northern haven’t bought them. They are leased.

 

[D365]

Speculative discussion on Class 350/2 future deployment is here.