Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[AJDesiro]

Many thanks AJ - really helpful

You're very welcome .

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

First class is Fainsa Sophia seats

I didn't know that was planned. Now I do, I've a difficult question for @Bletchleyite, would you say that was more or less of a "sham first class" than the 350s? I know you're not a fan of the Class 385 First Class offering of Sophia either.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I didn't know that was planned. Now I do, I've a difficult question for @Bletchleyite, would you say that was more or less of a "sham first class" than the 350s? I know you're not a fan of the Class 385 First Class offering of Sophia either.

If First Class doesn't have a considerable space and comfort upgrade from Standard then it is a sham.

To me, that at least means one fewer seat across the train width or considerably upgraded legroom (better than the priority seating in Standard).

So if they were 3+2 in Std (or 700 style very narrow 2+2) then yes, but if they're 2+2 then no. Thus with the previously planned mixed fleet it wouldn't be a sham on the 3+2 units but would be on the 2+2 ones. But if they're all going to be 2+2 with armrests, then yes, it's sham 1st.

I don't like Sophias, but that's a personal opinion and I know some people do, so that alone doesn't really swing it.

 

[X-City-WM]

Sounds like 730/0s are being tested on Cross City Line on Tuesday

 

[Liam L]

Sounds like 730/0s are being tested on Cross City Line on Tuesday

View attachment 127775

Looks like the set goes up to Lichfield and then returns to Oxley straight after.

Realtime Trains | 5Q10 0948 Oxley Car. M.D. to Lichfield Trent Valley | 31/01/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q10 0948 departure from Oxley Car. M.D. to Lichfield Trent Valley on 31/01/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q11 1144 Lichfield Trent Valley to Oxley Car. M.D. | 31/01/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q11 1144 departure from Lichfield Trent Valley to Oxley Car. M.D. on 31/01/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Silverlinky]

730005 and 730010 planned for the above test run, platform gauging at Lichfield TV. They return to Oxley and then head to Bletchley later the same day.
730002 and 730006 move Oxley to Bletchley on 02.02.23

Both will use the headcode 5Q06

 

[gka472l]

730021/2 noted on test at Crewe yesterday.

 

[Liam L]

730103 looks like it was out on a test run today.

https://twitter.com/PortlandTMD/status/1621101089461248003?s=20&t=R067BvcrNjajZ45x8uWtZA

 

[778]

Things seem to have gone quiet on this thread recently. I thought that the 730/0s were supposed introduced into service next month (I know the 730/1s are still a long way off)? That does not look likely to happen now.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Things seem to have gone quiet on this thread recently. I thought that the 730/0s were supposed introduced into service next month (I know the 730/1s are still a long way off)? That does not look likely to happen now.

Still testing them at the moment.

 

[Liam L]

Still testing them at the moment.

I believe they being sent back and fourth for mods at Loughborough atm. 730023 should be released from Litchurch this month and then that it till something is resolved.

 

[Mzzzs]

What mods do the trains need?
Haven't heard anything for a good month about the units or any problems they have for a while.

 

[Liam L]

What mods do the trains need?
Haven't heard anything for a good month about the units or any problems they have for a while.

Not exactly sure if I'm completely honest with you. I read it on a Facebook group a couple weeks back

 

[Mzzzs]

Not exactly sure if I'm completely honest with you. I read it on a Facebook group a couple weeks back

Dam
Feels like there has been a lack of info on the trains from the start.
Will hope we do see them in service soon this year.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Still testing them at the moment.

Aventra are supposed to be a standard platform 710/720/730 and LO and GA have got them into use without the too much issue one Derby got on a roll so are WMT dragging their feet. This is one of the fundamental problems with why UK railways are costing so much with each operator doing its own thing with near identical trains only difference should be colour of bodywork and seat covers.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

What mods do the trains need?
Haven't heard anything for a good month about the units or any problems they have for a while.

Still awaiting guard panels were what we wer told internally a few weeks ago so maybe this

Driver training program (non-DI) to start by end of March for introduction in May timetable change. Bletchley and Watford train crew only for now.

Approx 10 units to be moved to/stabled at Bletchley sidings for this, unsure on dates.

 

[Mzzzs]

Still awaiting guard panels were what we wer told internally a few weeks ago so maybe this

Driver training program (non-DI) to start by end of March for introduction in May timetable change. Bletchley and Watford train crew only for now.

Approx 10 units to be moved to/stabled at Bletchley sidings for this, unsure on dates.

Thanks,
Looking forward to getting one in may hopefully.

 

[Liam L]

Approx 10 units to be moved to/stabled at Bletchley sidings for this, unsure on dates.

Any timeframe for the cross city introduction? I heard that they might be introduced onto the wolves / Walsall locals after Bletchley?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Any timeframe for the cross city introduction? I heard that they might be introduced onto the wolves / Walsall locals after Bletchley?

Haven't seen an update on next plans for them. I know they've been out for signal sighting etc on X-city so I would hope that would be next move later in the year

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Aventra are supposed to be a standard platform 710/720/730 and LO and GA have got them into use without the too much issue one Derby got on a roll so are WMT dragging their feet. This is one of the fundamental problems with why UK railways are costing so much with each operator doing its own thing with near identical trains only difference should be colour of bodywork and seat covers.

Don't forget we had a pandemic which had caused delays and a slow introduction into service. You have to factor that in as well. Living prices have gone up so the railways are expensive at the moment. Trains are identical your right.

 

[Liam L]

I know they've been out for signal sighting etc on X-city so I would hope that would be next move later in the year

Cheers, I do remember seeing a double set out doing signal sighting

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Cheers, I do remember seeing a double set out doing signal sighting

I've sent a cheeky email to head of fleet who gives regular updates on new stock so I'll see what he info he gives (if any)

 

[60159]

Still awaiting guard panels were what we wer told internally a few weeks ago so maybe this

Driver training program (non-DI) to start by end of March for introduction in May timetable change. Bletchley and Watford train crew only for now.

Approx 10 units to be moved to/stabled at Bletchley sidings for this, unsure on dates.

Excuse my ignorance but are Bletchley sidings on the WCML or near the shed? Are there decent locations to view both?

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Don't forget we had a pandemic which had caused delays and a slow introduction into service. You have to factor that in as well.

GA 720's were from the same supplier they managed to get their drivers trained and the units commissioned so they should have been able to equal what they achieved.

 

[AJDesiro]

GA 720's were from the same supplier they managed to get their drivers trained and the units commissioned so they should have been able to equal what they achieved.

What you’re forgetting is GA ordered their units a year earlier than WMT, and the 720s have more similarities to prior aventras, aside from top speed. The 730s have end gangways, different cabs, different speeds and different cab doors to the 720s, which in this day and age probably means they require loads more technology.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

What you’re forgetting is GA ordered their units a year earlier than WMT, and the 720s have more similarities to prior aventras, aside from top speed. The 730s have end gangways, different cabs, different speeds and different cab doors to the 720s, which in this day and age probably means they require loads more technology.

GA got first units into use nearly two years ago so we will cut them a years slack but by now WMT should have some into commission but they haven't and doesn't appear they will have for some time yet. In reality as long as they aren't paying leasing charges im happy to see 350's carry on.

 

[Bald Rick]

GA got first units into use nearly two years ago so we will cut them a years slack but by now WMT should have some into commission but they haven't and doesn't appear they will have for some time yet. In reality as long as they aren't paying leasing charges im happy to see 350's carry on.

GAs first unit was complete in September 2018…

 

[SCDR_WMR]

GA got first units into use nearly two years ago so we will cut them a years slack but by now WMT should have some into commission but they haven't and doesn't appear they will have for some time yet. In reality as long as they aren't paying leasing charges im happy to see 350's carry on.

First 730s will be in service in a few months time, DIs are trained at several depots and drivers due to start shortly.

 

[boxerdog]

Haven't seen an update on next plans for them. I know they've been out for signal sighting etc on X-city so I would hope that would be next move later in the year

Walsall - Wolves will be the first WMR route using the class 730

 

[Chris172]

Walsall - Wolves will be the first WMR route using the class 730

Cross city first