Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[SCDR_WMR]

Interesting. If Crewe to Birmingham is 350s then I'd expect Liverpool to Birmingham to be 350s.

Im guessing Crewe To Euston will be a single 730, when I've used that service with double 350s before its been very quiet, admittedly after an off peak avanti just left.

God I hope not, almost all Eus-Cre services require at least 8 cars now! Whenever it's shortformed to a 4 car you're leaving people behind at almost all stations (particularly Lichfield, Tamworth on the UP and Milton Keynes and Rugby on the DOWN)

Sorry, meant Saturday and forgot it was Monday today.

Yeah it's shut all next week too

 

[Energy]

God I hope not, almost all Eus-Cre services require at least 8 cars now! Whenever it's shortformed to a 4 car you're leaving people behind at almost all stations (particularly Lichfield, Tamworth on the UP and Milton Keynes and Rugby on the DOWN)

I only went as far as Nuneaton on the down which is probably why it was quiet, thanks for correcting me.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

By May 2023, will the 323s still be in service at WMR, or will all 730s have entered service by then?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I only went as far as Nuneaton on the down which is probably why it was quiet, thanks for correcting me.

Obviously that's not to say some trains aren't busy every day, morning peak is still fairly quiet but afternoon and Friday-Sunday would really struggle with less than 8

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

By May 2023, will the 323s still be in service at WMR, or will all 730s have entered service by then?

Absolutely no chance of the full class being in service by then. It's unlikely even a large proportion will have.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

By May 2023, will the 323s still be in service at WMR, or will all 730s have entered service by then?

Depends whether priorities have changed further.
Original plan was WMR units first so 323s gone early next year, but as the LNR 319s now seem to be higher priority and clearly conversations have been had to change the make up of the order, I'd say Autumn next year would be a date to aim for.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Absolutely no chance of the full class being in service by then. It's unlikely even a large proportion will have.

That's great news then. I am planning a trip to the West Midlands by then and although I will mostly be riding buses, I will be getting the train from Lichfield to Birmingham, so it would have been nice to get a 323.

 

[jonesy3001]

Depends whether priorities have changed further.
Original plan was WMR units first so 323s gone early next year, but as the LNR 319s now seem to be higher priority and clearly conversations have been had to change the make up of the order, I'd say Autumn next year would be a date to aim for.

Is still the 17 323s moving to northern or all 26?

 

[Razorblades]

Is still the 17 323s moving to northern or all 26?

Last I heard it was still 17 units transferring (201/4/14-6/20-2/40 being excluded), however that's not to say these nine are off the table - I doubt there are any other natural new takers coming out of the woodwork.

 

[778]

Depends whether priorities have changed further.
Original plan was WMR units first so 323s gone early next year, but as the LNR 319s now seem to be higher priority and clearly conversations have been had to change the make up of the order, I'd say Autumn next year would be a date to aim for.

When do you expect the 350/2s to be withdrawn?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

When do you expect the 350/2s to be withdrawn?

Can't recall what date was in the NRC but December 23 timetable change would be my thoughts currently as they are surely the lowest priority out of the current stock. Someone else may have a better idea of dates currently

Is still the 17 323s moving to northern or all 26?

Just the 17 as far as I'm aware right now

 

[Peter Sarf]

Is still the 17 323s moving to northern or all 26?

Just to clarify. The 9 x 323s not going to Northern are AIUI not being kept by West Midlands Trains will be redundant.

The Crayonista in me suspects the last 9 x 323s will get to Northern somehow. They have got more chance of finding use than 379s !.

 

[dereksingh291]

Just to clarify. The 9 x 323s not going to Northern are AIUI not being kept by West Midlands Trains will be redundant.

The Crayonista in me suspects the last 9 x 323s will get to Northern somehow. They have got more chance of finding use than 379s !.

what will happen with the 379s?

 

[jonesy3001]

Just to clarify. The 9 x 323s not going to Northern are AIUI not being kept by West Midlands Trains will be redundant.

The Crayonista in me suspects the last 9 x 323s will get to Northern somehow. They have got more chance of finding use than 379s !.

Think the other 9 will go to northern when the electrification works have been done between Stalybridge - man victoria and bolton to wigan north western via lostock.

 

[Peter Sarf]

what will happen with the 379s?

Best keep this on topic.

Confirmation on class 379 to Great Northern???

I would like to ask if anyone knows if GTR Great Northern has confirmed in getting Class 379's which recently came off lease from Greater Anglia?

www.railforums.co.uk

Have a look at the above thread for 379s.

 

[Silverlinky]

730008 and 009 moved from Bletchley to Oxley today, 730005 and 012 came back as their replacements.
730010 will make the trip from Bletchley to Oxley tomorrow, nothing returning.

 

[778]

Can't recall what date was in the NRC but December 23 timetable change would be my thoughts currently as they are surely the lowest priority out of the current stock. Someone else may have a better idea of dates currently


Just the 17 as far as I'm aware right now

Do you mean December 2023 or December 23rd this year?

 

[59CosG95]

Do you mean December 2023 or December 23rd this year?

I'd hedge the bet on being December 2023. The December timetable has, to my knowledge, never been changed right before Christmas.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Do you mean December 2023 or December 23rd this year?

December 2023. At the earliest probably.

 

[AMD]

December 2023. At the earliest probably.

Sort of adds up - in Northern we've been told we aren't getting full fleet of WM 323s until late 2024, so probably a phased plan from Dec 23 through to late 24.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Sort of adds up - in Northern we've been told we aren't getting full fleet of WM 323s until late 2024, so probably a phased plan from Dec 23 through to late 24.

I guess if they start to leave end of 2023 and if they go through maintenance and update programme they would start to be rolled out March/April through to Nov/Dec 2024 as a cautious schedule

 

[The_Train]

730008 and 009 moved from Bletchley to Oxley today, 730005 and 012 came back as their replacements.
730010 will make the trip from Bletchley to Oxley tomorrow, nothing returning.

Did 010 make the move today?

 

[SeaKing]

Did 010 make the move today?

a 5Q08.ran Bletchley to Oxley CMD today so something did.

 

[Covshire1]

a 5Q08.ran Bletchley to Oxley CMD today so something did.

It was indeed 010.

 

[The_Train]

a 5Q08.ran Bletchley to Oxley CMD today so something did.

It was indeed 010.

Thanks both

 

[Silverlinky]

730001/011 have been out between Bletchley and Euston both yesterday and today. They go out in the dark tomorrow and Thursday with further night time gauging/PTI/clearance testing taking place.

011+012 will go back to Oxley from Bletchley on Monday with 008+009 making the return trip on the same day. 010 will run from Oxley to Bletchley on Tuesday.

 

[Wyrleybart]

730001/011 have been out between Bletchley and Euston both yesterday and today. They go out in the dark tomorrow and Thursday with further night time gauging/PTI/clearance testing taking place.

011+012 will go back to Oxley from Bletchley on Monday with 008+009 making the return trip on the same day. 010 will run from Oxley to Bletchley on Tuesday.

Presume their maintenance regime is based at Oxley at the moment.

 

[Silverlinky]

Presume their maintenance regime is based at Oxley at the moment.

At the moment yes, Bletchley by the end of the year for light maintenance at least.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Didn't manage to grab a photo but there was at least 1 730 in LNWR livery being hauled between Stafford and Crewe around 1pm this afternoon. No idea on unit number(s) but nice to see one in green. Looked really nice.

 

[theblackwatch]

Didn't manage to grab a photo but there was at least 1 730 in LNWR livery being hauled between Stafford and Crewe around 1pm this afternoon. No idea on unit number(s) but nice to see one in green. Looked really nice.

730103 I gather. Anyone know what loco was hauling it please? Edit: It was 37510, just seen a pic