Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[Mzzzs]

Jens video on class 730 first one in service

 

[Kite159]

From those pictures from this morning, those seats look very narrow (definition of '3-1+2' style seating), not helped with the lack of spacers (so the wide aisle will be full of legs as people overhang the seat)
Also legroom on some of the table seats from the photos looks very tight (reminds me of the bay seats on the SWT 456s).

 

[Bletchleyite]

From those pictures from this morning, those seats look very narrow (definition of '3-1+2' style seating), not helped with the lack of spacers (so the wide aisle will be full of legs as people overhang the seat)
Also legroom on some of the table seats from the photos looks very tight (reminds me of the bay seats on the SWT 456s).

They're basically the same idea as 700s - narrow seats and wide aisle. Having been on 2-car Northern 195s crush loaded, I am unconvinced by this as peoples' backsides overhang the aisle, and people are far happier to push past an armrest than another person. Standbacks seem to make more difference. Think of it as a 350/2 with the third seat removed, I guess.

Having said that 700s (and 777s for that matter*) do have small spacers. If these (like the junk that is the 720) don't, then that's a definite downside.

Fortunately our "proper" 5 car ones are to have armrests.

* Though I don't think the mockup did the service units definitely do.

 

[JonathanH]

From those pictures from this morning, those seats look very narrow (definition of '3-1+2' style seating), not helped with the lack of spacers (so the wide aisle will be full of legs as people overhang the seat)

Yes, but they allow a lot of standing passengers.

The pair of 730s were busy on the 0832 from Watford Junction following cancellation of the preceding service, but coping well with the load of standing passengers.

Standbacks seem to make more difference.

Including the 1+1 by the doors which meant people could move down the carriage.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, but they allow a lot of standing passengers.

I'm not sure about 6" on the aisle makes that much difference. What does is standbacks and wide doors. As one might suspect, 2-car 195s with a crush load are common on Northern and those units (with armrests) handle the crowds impressively well.

The upside of narrow seats is that a wheelchair or pram (or bike) can be wheeled all the way through, that said.

 

[stadler]

Correct, modified door control panels were fitted to allow this to happen.

They have a very odd looking Guard panel. It is clear that it was a bodge job and they were originally built with an Electrostar style panel without local door controls or door open controls. The first train in the UK where the Guard is not required to press two buttons together to open the doors. But i am glad they kept the Guard Open Guard Close method.

Does anyone know if the 730s have bells like on the Electrostar trains? Or is it a beep sound instead that seems to be used on most modern trains today?

 

[DavidGrain]

Would have confused the London Commuters to see West Midlands route diagrams in the carriages. Although the train was in WMR livery just a quick glance on Jen's video showed the LNR name decal on the side of the train right at the end.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Would have confused the London Commuters to see West Midlands route diagrams in the carriages. Although the train was in WMR livery just a quick glance on Jen's video showed the LNR name decal on the side of the train right at the end.

Commuters don't need to look at line diagrams, they know where they're going, they've been doing it 20 years

 

[Peter Sarf]

Commuters don't need to look at line diagrams, they know where they're going, they've been doing it 20 years

Yes, experienced commuters learn to ignore such "information"/branding - even important information can be wrong.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, experienced commuters learn to ignore such "information"/branding - even important information can be wrong.

I think Jen's video shows there being LNR maps above alternate doors, anyway.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Would have confused the London Commuters to see West Midlands route diagrams in the carriages. Although the train was in WMR livery just a quick glance on Jen's video showed the LNR name decal on the side of the train right at the end.

Those maps will need updating very soon when the services via Darlaston start next year. (In fact, LNR already runs between Wiolverhampton and Birmingham via Tame Bridge Parkway, which is missing from the green map)

 

[paddyb6]

Those maps will need updating very soon when the services via Darlaston start next year. (In fact, LNR already runs between Wiolverhampton and Birmingham via Tame Bridge Parkway, which is missing from the green map)

From December that service is cut, only running Crewe to Stafford via Stoke.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

From December that service is cut, only running Crewe to Stafford via Stoke.

Which is likely why it has been removed from those maps rather than a mistake/omission.

 

[voithgearbox]

Hi all,
Is it right to think that BY901/902 is the diagram that began 730/0 operation today, followed by BY903/904 next Monday then BY905/906 on 27/11? Many thanks

 

[JonathanH]

Hi all,
Is it right to think that BY901/902 is the diagram that began 730/0 operation today, followed by BY903/904 next Monday then BY905/906 on 27/11? Many thanks

Effectively, but it is now SO762+SO763 based on the link in message 1284.

 

[Purple Train]

Do these have the same seats/seat width as the 720s? Is the interior effectively a 720's with the third seat taken out?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Do these have the same seats/seat width as the 720s? Is the interior effectively a 720's with the third seat taken out?

In short yes (also some single seats to add more standing room).

 

[800001]

In short yes (also some single seats to add more standing room).

In the West Midlands what’s the longest journey these will do?

Also will the 730/2 that will do the routes out of Euston have different seats to these?

 

[Purple Train]

In short yes (also some single seats to add more standing room).

Thanks

 

[Bletchleyite]

In the West Midlands what’s the longest journey these will do?

I suspect a full length trip on the Cross City would be that?

Also will the 730/2 that will do the routes out of Euston have different seats to these?

Same actual seats but with armrests and spacers.

 

[800001]

I suspect a full length trip on the Cross City would be that?



Same actual seats but with armrests and spacers.

Thanks.

 

[AJDesiro]

In the West Midlands what’s the longest journey these will do?

Rugeley-Birmingham International (Chase Line), 1 minute longer than a Lichfield TV-Bromsgrove Cross City run.

 

[Merle Haggard]

Perhaps someone who travelled on one can comment please on the speed of door operation? There's such a contrast between 323s on the Cross City line and 350s on LNwR - a few seconds after stopping on the former and perhaps a minute on the latter.

 

[AJDesiro]

Perhaps someone who travelled on one can comment please on the speed of door operation? There's such a contrast between 323s on the Cross City line and 350s on LNwR - a few seconds after stopping on the former and perhaps a minute on the latter.

If other Aventra's are anything to go by, the actual doors themselves are very quick to open, unlike 350s. The door operation themselves is debatable, these are the first non-DOO Aventra's to have entered service.

 

[Mordac]

If other Aventra's are anything to go by, the actual doors themselves are very quick to open, unlike 350s. The door operation themselves is debatable, these are the first non-DOO Aventra's to have entered service.

I imagine the guard will continue to have to step out into the platform to make sure it's not an illusion before opening the doors.

 

[stadler]

Perhaps someone who travelled on one can comment please on the speed of door operation? There's such a contrast between 323s on the Cross City line and 350s on LNwR - a few seconds after stopping on the former and perhaps a minute on the latter.

I reckon that opening the doors probably takes longer on the 730s compared to the 350s. It appears that on the 730s the Guard has to turn the key switch to the local door position and then open the local door and step out to check and then turn the key switch again to the all doors position and then release the other doors. So it is a more complicating process compared to the 350s where you just press open local door and step out to check and then press the two release buttons.

 

[Merle Haggard]

I reckon that opening the doors probably takes longer on the 730s compared to the 350s. It appears that on the 730s the Guard has to turn the key switch to the local door position and then open the local door and step out to check and then turn the key switch again to the all doors position and then release the other doors. So it is a more complicating process compared to the 350s where you just press open local door and step out to check and then press the two release buttons.

Thanks for the response, that's interesting.
If the operation takes longer than the 350s then it must be even longer than the 323s. I wonder whether this will affect punctuality on the routes they are intended for, bearing in mind the frequency of stops - at present, station calls are made smartly.

 

[Amnesiac]

Perhaps someone who travelled on one can comment please on the speed of door operation? There's such a contrast between 323s on the Cross City line and 350s on LNwR - a few seconds after stopping on the former and perhaps a minute on the latter.

The quick door release on the Cross City* is operational to 6 car 323 sets only and is only used on that line. If you have a 3 car 323 on the Cross City you will notice that the door release will be slower and nearer in time to a class 350.


*New St excluded from this

 

[Merle Haggard]

The quick door release on the Cross City is operational to 6 car 323 sets only and is only used on that line. If you have a 3 car 323 on the Cross City you will notice that the door release will be slower and nearer in time to a class 350.

Thanks, I didn't realise that.
I won't ask why...
... one might have thought a 3 car was easier to detect as fully platformed than a 6.

 

[RealTrains07]

Seen on a video that 730s are due to be introduced on stafford to crewe via stoke service ?

Can anyone verify this?