Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[D6975]

Can anyone say which 730s have been to Brush Loughborough ? A scan though these pages shows up the following:
730027 Output from Brush Works 18.04.23:
730102 Believed to be at Brush 11.05.23:
730103 To Brush Works 14.12.23:
730004 Output from Brush 27.10.23:
Are there any more and are details of movements of those quoted known?
Of course the works is not opperated by Brush anymore and has not been for a long time, but my understanding is that the place is still called "Brush Works" - just as a location name.

I think the proper name for the site is
Falcon Works

 

[SCDR_WMR]

730 206 currently on test at Stafford, seats look so much better than the /0s. Loads more padding and armrests a plenty.

 

[Defiance149]

Also, my records indicate 003 went to Loughborough in October 2022 and I have no further record of it coming back out - is it still there?

21/8/23 - 37608 + 730003 + 37510 5Q57 1109 Loughborough-Derby Litchurch Lane

 

[The_Train]

21/8/23 - 37608 + 730003 + 37510 5Q57 1109 Loughborough-Derby Litchurch Lane

Thanks a lot

 

[dereksingh291]

Are the WMR 730s entering service in mid 2024 and will the LNWR 730s enter service in early 2025?

 

[Jamesrob637]

Are the WMR 730s entering service in mid 2024 and will the LNWR 730s enter service in early 2025?

The WMR ones are in service, technically! Probably early-24 on the Cross-City lines. I'd like to think at least one LNWR example will enter service in the next 374 days (to say they ran at least one in 2024).

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

None ran yesterday evening when I was in London due to driver shortages rendering their services cancelled

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Are the WMR 730s entering service in mid 2024 and will the LNWR 730s enter service in early 2025?

End of Jan for WMT in service on Wolves-Walsall line. Probably TT change for XCity.

December 2024 for LNWR is a rough idea, at least drivers only need a 2 day conversion course so cuts down training

 

[dereksingh291]

End of Jan for WMT in service on Wolves-Walsall line. Probably TT change for XCity.

December 2024 for LNWR is a rough idea, at least drivers only need a 2 day conversion course so cuts down training

okay when will the WMR 730s start their service on the cross city line but also will the WMR 730s be used between Rugeley & Birmingham International? Fingers crossed lets hope the LNWR 730s actually enter service in December 2024.

 

[Jamesrob637]

None ran yesterday evening when I was in London due to driver shortages rendering their services cancelled

Overhead line issues yesterday on the Euston to Milton Keynes line too, don't forget. @Bletchleyite can testify.

 

[Liam L]

at the expense of more common short forms on the Cross City.

No short forms. There still enough units to run the service with 6 carriages.

 

[AJDesiro]

No short forms. There still enough units to run the service with 6 carriages.

When I’ve travelled on the cross city recently I’ve noticed quite a few 3 car services during normal hours since the first 323 went.

 

[Jamesrob637]

When I’ve travelled on the cross city recently I’ve noticed quite a few 3 car services during normal hours since the first 323 went.

Aren't a few booked 3-car off-peak?

 

[AJDesiro]

Aren't a few booked 3-car off-peak?

Not that I’m aware of. EDIT: Looks like there's one or two 3 car diagrams, ignore me!

 

[Jamesrob637]

Not that I’m aware of. EDIT: Looks like there's one or two 3 car diagrams, ignore me!

A very select few then! They could possibly remain 3-car even with the 730s due to their better use of capacity and marginally longer vehicles (plus standing on an air-conditioned packed train is preferable to standing on a sweltering packed train!)

 

[JW4]

No short forms. There still enough units to run the service with 6 carriages.

On Mondays to Fridays in the January 2024 timetable:
05:43 Birmingham New Street to Redditch
07:16 Four Oaks to Redditch
07:46 FOK -> RDC
09:46 FOK -> RDC
10:16 FOK -> RDC
12:16 FOK -> RDC
12:46 FOK -> RDC
14:46 FOK -> RDC
15:16 FOK -> RDC
17:16 FOK -> RDC
17:46 FOK -> RDC
19:46 FOK -> RDC
20:16 FOK -> RDC
21:46 FOK -> RDC
22:46 FOK -> RDC
Are all 3 coaches instead of the 6 they were in the current timetable.

This is what I found

 

[Liam L]

This is what I found

2 more units go in January so short forms will probably start becoming common.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Dec 2023 ==

When I’ve travelled on the cross city recently I’ve noticed quite a few 3 car services during normal hours since the first 323 went.

I anit see any about for weeks to be honest, there was quite a few about a couple weeks ago but seems to have recovered.

however these do seem to four oaks circuits and I tend to stick to lichfields and bromsgroves when travel from LOB so that's probably why I don't see any

 

[Kite159]

Bit of a random question, are the 730s out this week or is LNR running a revised timetable with less peak time extra services?

 

[JonathanH]

Bit of a random question, are the 730s out this week or is LNR running a revised timetable with less peak time extra services?

Definitely a revised timetable in place this week. No 730s parked up in the part of Camden sidings visible on the Railcam feed.

 

[87015]

Bit of a random question, are the 730s out this week or is LNR running a revised timetable with less peak time extra services?

All 730 trains removed this week. No attempts made to fill the gaps when they run consecutively, naturally, despite a full WTT being advertised.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

So the 730 launch date for the West Mids has been pushed back a few days to the 30th of this month.

Likely to be a slow introduction as my depot only has around 35% of drivers trained on them so far.

 

[Kite159]

So the 730 launch date for the West Mids has been pushed back a few days to the 30th of this month.

Likely to be a slow introduction as my depot only has around 35% of drivers trained on them so far.

Still planned to be the Walsall - Wolverhampton stoppers switching over first with the Cross City line (and anything else the 730/0s are taking over in the West Midlands) at a later date?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Yep

 

[Mordac]

Still planned to be the Walsall - Wolverhampton stoppers switching over first with the Cross City line (and anything else the 730/0s are taking over in the West Midlands) at a later date?

We're the ones who are losing our trains on the XC, how come Walsall - Wolvo gets them first?

Three car diagrams are starting to multiply and it ain't pleasant.

 

[Mamorin]

Possibly cost, leasing costs on 350/2s are higher than the leasing cost of the 323s.

Given DFT wants to cut costs makes sense for Walsall - Wolverhampton stoppers to get the 730/0s first in order to get rid of as many of the costly 350/2s as possible.

 

[Halish Railway]

We're the ones who are losing our trains on the XC, how come Walsall - Wolvo gets them first?

To enable some of the Birmingham to Liverpool services to be lengthened back to eight carriages?

 

[Energy]

Given DFT wants to cut costs makes sense for Walsall - Wolverhampton stoppers to get the 730/0s first in order to get rid of as many of the costly 350/2s as possible.

The 350/2s have a low initial cost but high mileage charges, the other way around for all other 350s. Even if the 350/2s are still on lease it makes sense to keep their mileage lower than other fleets.

When London Midland ordered the 350/2s they'd be used on a lot of peak workings, IIRC when the franchise changed it was hoped that they could be renegotiated to be the other way like the other 350s around but Porterbrook refused.

 

[AJDesiro]

We're the ones who are losing our trains on the XC, how come Walsall - Wolvo gets them first?

Three car diagrams are starting to multiply and it ain't pleasant.

Walsall-Wolverhampton requires 6 fewer diagrams per day than the Cross City, so it's probably easier to diagram drivers that actually sign 730s on that route.

I believe the three 323s that have gone up north will be all that is being transferred for the time being, with the rest of the fleet being withdrawn much closer to the middle of this year (though I may be wrong on this).

To enable some of the Birmingham to Liverpool services to be lengthened back to eight carriages?

Aren't Liverpool services diagrammed as 8 cars off-peak and 4 cars at 2tph during the peaks? LNR has been struggling with train lengths as of late, though 12 cars on Euston-Crewe on Sundays is thoroughly welcome, I only hope that this becomes a thing on Saturdays as well. When the 730/2s enter service Liverpool's should be operated by a 5-car 730 at 2tph.

 

[D1511]

I'm sitting on a 730/0 en route from MKC to EUS and I can't help noticing that the LNR services from Euston to New St via Northampton have been erased from the route map above the door!

 

[Kite159]

I'm sitting on a 730/0 en route from MKC to EUS and I can't help noticing that the LNR services from Euston to New St via Northampton have been erased from the route map above the door!View attachment 150092

Or it's just a route map showing which routes are going to see the 730/2s? London - Northampton - Birmingham was going to remain 350 the last I heard.