Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[SCDR_WMR]

I visited Derby on a site visit for work around the time of the Alstom takeover. Several of the carriages I saw for the 3 at the time /1s were fitted out with 2+3 seating, however I’m not sure how long they remained given the order was modified not too long afterwards

Yes the /1s were delivered as 2+3 and with 1st class ends. They were sat for a while at Crewe ATC, I did have photos but alas we're on my old phone and not in the cloud.

Interesting, I knew there was plans to build /1 units, but didn't realise it had actually happened, I assumed the idea was scrapped before the build commenced.

Were the units built as /1 actually fitted out internally as /1 or was the interior layout changed to the /2 layout before fitout?

As above. 100% built and delivered as /1. The wheel sets were rather orange and rusty by the time they moved from Crewe. No idea why they haven't bothered getting them into service though

 

[CR165022]

As above. 100% built and delivered as /1. The wheel sets were rather orange and rusty by the time they moved from Crewe. No idea why they haven't bothered getting them into service though

103, now 203, is in service and has been for months

 

[Merle Haggard]

At least one of the 730/1s was stabled alongside Crewe Carriage Shed when first delivered, and easily visible from passing trains. It was difficult to tell from one whether it had 2+2 or 2+3 seating but I'm pretty sure every coach had identical seating. Definitely no trace of different seating for First Class. (I accept that the 730/2s don't have First by policy, but there is one coach in each set that had seating intended as such).

I'm sure that it was said at the time that the seating would be 'up-graded' before entering service.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I am left wondering if 730201 & 730202 are merely suffering from "first in (sub) class syndrome" (if I may call it that). As in first built and left till last to iron out any problems before they become 730201 & 730202.

Likewise 730204 might be the first of the real 730/2s and suffering the same "first in (sub) class syndrome" ?.

I am trying to remember what the difference with the 730/1s was. Perhaps they were five car BUT with 2+3 seating but otherwise the same as 730/2s.
I know overall the number of five car and three car units across all of class 730 was changed early on.
Something like more shorter units (730/0s) but same number of coaches so a variation was to provide more driving cabs.

I just found my notes
730/0 3car was changed from 36 units to 48 units,
730/2 5car was changed from 45 units to 36 units.
730/0 - I ave no note.
That is one more unit, nine fewer coaches BUT two intermediate coaches become the two extra driving coaches for one unit.

Ironically (considering the above) we have (nine ?) WMR liveried 730/0s (3car) working on the Southern WCML !.
Almost as though there are now too many 730/0s but then the Cross City line in Birmingham is not back up to pre covid frequency.

It will all blur again when GBR takes over.

Meanwhile we await entry into service of 730201, 730202 & 730204.....

 

[SCDR_WMR]

103, now 203, is in service and has been for months

Indeed, but the other 2 have not.

At least one of the 730/1s was stabled alongside Crewe Carriage Shed when first delivered, and easily visible from passing trains. It was difficult to tell from one whether it had 2+2 or 2+3 seating but I'm pretty sure every coach had identical seating. Definitely no trace of different seating for First Class. (I accept that the 730/2s don't have First by policy, but there is one coach in each set that had seating intended as such).

I'm sure that it was said at the time that the seating would be 'up-graded' before entering service.

730101 & 730102 were the ones stabled

 

[RealTrains07]

I am left wondering if 730201 & 730202 are merely suffering from "first in (sub) class syndrome" (if I may call it that). As in first built and left till last to iron out any problems before they become 730201 & 730202.

Likewise 730204 might be the first of the real 730/2s and suffering the same "first in (sub) class syndrome" ?.

I am trying to remember what the difference with the 730/1s was. Perhaps they were five car BUT with 2+3 seating but otherwise the same as 730/2s.
I know overall the number of five car and three car units across all of class 730 was changed early on.
Something like more shorter units (730/0s) but same number of coaches so a variation was to provide more driving cabs.

I just found my notes
730/0 3car was changed from 36 units to 48 units,
730/2 5car was changed from 45 units to 36 units.
730/0 - I ave no note.
That is one more unit, nine fewer coaches BUT two intermediate coaches become the two extra driving coaches for one unit.

Ironically (considering the above) we have (nine ?) WMR liveried 730/0s (3car) working on the Southern WCML !.
Almost as though there are now too many 730/0s but then the Cross City line in Birmingham is not back up to pre covid frequency.

It will all blur again when GBR takes over.

Meanwhile we await entry into service of 730201, 730202 & 730204.....

Yes as what I remember from reading about it at the time, I think the breakdown of 5 car 730s was originally:

730/2s - 16 units and 730/1 - 29 units which made up the total of 45 prior to the reduction of 730 5 car units down to 36.

 

[Russel]

As above. 100% built and delivered as /1. The wheel sets were rather orange and rusty by the time they moved from Crewe. No idea why they haven't bothered getting them into service though

Interesting thanks, curious as to why they are seemingly happy to have millions of pounds of assets still sat around doing nothing though.

I actually recall seeing these parked at Crewe now, next to the WCML, but didn't know they were the /1s.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Interesting thanks, curious as to why they are seemingly happy to have millions of pounds of assets still sat around doing nothing though.

I actually recall seeing these parked at Crewe now, next to the WCML, but didn't know they were the /1s.

Yep, those were the ones. Adjacent to the depot building.

I guess they're not paying mileage or maintenance on them, there must be a genuine reason for now having them within the business at least

 

[Russel]

Yep, those were the ones. Adjacent to the depot building.

I guess they're not paying mileage or maintenance on them, there must be a genuine reason for now having them within the business at least

Is it known where they are now?

 

[childwallblues]

I saw 202 on test at Platform 3 at Stafford on 30/09/2025and 204 at Crewe on 22/07/2025. I have not seen 201 as numbered but did see 101 and 102 on Arriva Traincare at Crewe.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I saw 202 on test at Platform 3 at Stafford on 30/09/2025and 204 at Crewe on 22/07/2025. I have not seen 201 as numbered but did see 101 and 102 on Arriva Traincare at Crewe.

A whole year ago, or more, so what is going on (or not going on) ?.

Interesting that one of the originally 730/1s - 730203 has bucked the trend and got out !.
Meanwhile 730204 which is supposedly an, as built, 730/2 has not got out.

 

[Russel]

A whole year ago, or more, so what is going on (or not going on) ?.

Interesting that one of the originally 730/1s - 730203 has bucked the trend and got out !.
Meanwhile 730204 which is supposedly an, as built, 730/2 has not got out.

Very strange situation.