Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[Kite159]

Think there’s just the few left to enter service (201–202,204,236)??

Although 206 never seems to be out (searching on RTT wise) after being reported as being in service a few weeks ago. At least the days I check RTT.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Although 206 never seems to be out (searching on RTT wise) after being reported as being in service a few weeks ago. At least the days I check RTT.

I did see 730 206 on RTT a couple of weeks ago, but it was out of my reach that day unfortunately!!

 

[rogercov]

I did see 730 206 on RTT a couple of weeks ago, but it was out of my reach that day unfortunately!!

It looks like 730206 last ran on 13/4/26 with 730209.

According to RTT for 13/4/26:
730206+730209 was on 1U44 (1913 from Crewe) and only got as far as Lichfield TV when it was cancelled due to "a problem with the doors".
It then stayed at Lichfield for over an hour, blocking the up slow, so the following service (1U46) had to use the fast line, missing out Lichfield and Tamworth.
Then at 2120, 730206+730209 ran empty back to Bletchley as 5U44.
The following day 730209 was back in service but 730206 was not, and (unless you know different) has not been seen since.

I guess it's a more serious issue than the usual door problems.

 

[DarloRich]

I saw 730218 hauled into Bletchley by 37501 on Saturday - not sure if it has been in use since

 

[rogercov]

I saw 730218 hauled into Bletchley by 37501 on Saturday - not sure if it has been in use since

Yes it has, yesterday and today on EUS-TRI-MKC services.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It looks like 730206 last ran on 13/4/26 with 730209.

According to RTT for 13/4/26:
730206+730209 was on 1U44 (1913 from Crewe) and only got as far as Lichfield TV when it was cancelled due to "a problem with the doors".
It then stayed at Lichfield for over an hour, blocking the up slow, so the following service (1U46) had to use the fast line, missing out Lichfield and Tamworth.
Then at 2120, 730206+730209 ran empty back to Bletchley as 5U44.
The following day 730209 was back in service but 730206 was not, and (unless you know different) has not been seen since.

I guess it's a more serious issue than the usual door problems.

730 206 is being moved from Soho to Tyseley at 18.39 this evening as 5Q66, so it seems to have been fixed.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

730 206 is being moved from Soho to Tyseley at 18.39 this evening as 5Q66, so it seems to have been fixed.

Why would it be moving to Tyseley (away from the wires) if it's fixed? There has to be a locomotive towing it.

 

[rogercov]

It looks like 730206 travelled from Bletchley to Soho this morning as 5G99.
37884 is on its way to Soho as 0Q65, presumably to drag 730206 to Tyseley later.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Why would it be moving to Tyseley (away from the wires) if it's fixed? There has to be a locomotive towing it.

D'oh... I forgot they haven't wired the route down that way yet!!!

 

[Russel]

Noticing a few single 730s on the Trent Valley over the last week or so, is there a shortage of units at the moment?

That said, even when short formed, these are cosy but can certainly handle a crowd.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Noticing a few single 730s on the Trent Valley over the last week or so, is there a shortage of units at the moment?

That said, even when short formed, these are cosy but can certainly handle a crowd.

Part of timetable changes. There are a few single set services now through the week. No shortages.

 

[Russel]

Part of timetable changes. There are a few single set services now through the week. No shortages.

Ah okay, is this causing any delays?

I got a single set to and from work today and it seemed to loose a minute or two at most stations, just wondering if this is because of the number of people trying to board a 5 car train that would have been 10?

 

[40029 Saxonia]

Something was dragged from Gascoigne Wood to BY on 14th May according to RTT. Not sure if it was one of the 730s still to enter service

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Ah okay, is this causing any delays?

I got a single set to and from work today and it seemed to loose a minute or two at most stations, just wondering if this is because of the number of people trying to board a 5 car train that would have been 10?

Hard to tell at the moment, there will likely be some stations (MKC) where passengers are well spread expecting a 10 car train, which does add delays waiting for people to board.

 

[rogercov]

Something was dragged from Gascoigne Wood to BY on 14th May according to RTT. Not sure if it was one of the 730s still to enter service

It was 730205 which went to Gascoigne Wood on 6th May and returned on 14th May.

 

[40029 Saxonia]

Thanks. It looks like all the 730/2s (and maybe the 730/0s as there are movements from Soho to G Wood as well) are cycling through G Wood for modifications which takes around a week. I wonder if this work is being prioritised over getting the outstanding 730/2s (6?) into service

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 May 2026 ==

Thanks. It looks like all the 730/2s (and maybe the 730/0s as there are movements from Soho to G Wood as well) are cycling through G Wood for modifications which takes around a week. I wonder if this work is being prioritised over getting the outstanding 730/2s (6?) into service

Correction .. 5 outstanding to enter service at last count

 

[wythallpaul]

Post 4017 from the 27th April States:-

5Q77 from Gascoigne Wood to Bletchley today is reported as 37501 + 730236.
730236 has not yet been in passenger service.

Still no sign of 730236 Entering Service over 3 Weeks Later.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Part of timetable changes. There are a few single set services now through the week. No shortages.

Why are there singles now when more are in service, not fewer? Have the remaining few gone back on to Liverpool workings?

 

[wythallpaul]

Why are there singles now when more are in service, not fewer? Have the remaining few gone back on to Liverpool workings?

No. All Birmingham to Liverpool trains are Cl350.

 

[Merle Haggard]

The Euston - Northampton evening peak services seem to be 5 cars in practice, too. Morning ones are 10 car.
The daytime Euston - Birmingham 730 workings seem to have disappeared with the new timetable.

 

[DarloRich]

is 730231 new in traffic ? i was on it last night and it was VERY clean!

 

[The_Train]

is 730231 new in traffic ? i was on it last night and it was VERY clean!

I have it as having been in service since July 2025. Must have had a recent deep clean

 

[DarloRich]

I have it as having been in service since July 2025. Must have had a recent deep clean

give those cleaners a medal - it looked brand new.

 

[mavml]

Why are there singles now when more are in service, not fewer? Have the remaining few gone back on to Liverpool workings?

There seem to be a lot more 730/2 on Tring/MK now, at least in peak hours. Also I think there are now only 2 730/0 diagrams on Euston services now (4 before), although these are 9 car rather than 6.

 

[Gordonman]

There seem to be a lot more 730/2 on Tring/MK now, at least in peak hours. Also I think there are now only 2 730/0 diagrams on Euston services now (4 before), although these are 9 car rather than 6.

Quite simply the number of diagrams increased last Sunday for the timetable change.Sunday increased from around 8 to 16,Monday and Tuesday 12 to 16 but dropped to 15 Wednesday and Thursday.Just 3 of the diagrams are just one set all day.

 

[fodphil]

Looks like 730206 has made an appearance, currently working 2K94 0738 Milton Keynes Central to London Euston

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Looks like 730206 has made an appearance, currently working 2K94 0738 Milton Keynes Central to London Euston

730 206 is now on the 09.56 Euston - Crewe, solo.

Should work the 13.13 back from Crewe to Euston with 730 226. Might be a few minutes late as the 09.56 is currently 18 late and the turnaround at Crewe is only 11 minutes, including coupling up.

 

[Russel]

Why are there singles now when more are in service, not fewer? Have the remaining few gone back on to Liverpool workings?

It does seem a bit of an odd choice, passenger numbers are only gong one way and we're seeing a reduction in capacity, a 5 car 730 will always have a lower capacity than the double 350's they've replaced.

 

[Kite159]

During the day (Off-peak), I would imagine a solo 730/2 is more than enough for the London - Tring /Milton Keynes stopping services (other than maybe between London & Watford Junction).

 

[rogercov]

According to RTT 730236 is in service for the first time today.
Currently on 2T10 (with 218).