Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[mansonlo49]

730236

Think only two or three left at Derby LL? Thanks if anyone know

 

[Russel]

Indeed, it's a whole 2 miles 26 chains further via Northampton. Pity none of the £100 000 000 ( or was it £1 000 000 000?) West Coast upgrade money was spent on increasing the 75 mph linespeed on the New Line.

So, around 15 minutes extra per mile then!

 

[Merle Haggard]

I believe it was going to have an upgrade in line speed to 90mph (I think) probably around 10 years ago. I think there was too much work to be done to the trackbed, as allegedly it's very difficult to maintain, possibly due to being clay. I believe that's what I was told a 'little' while ago.

Thanks. the New Line was built quite late - late 1890s - and the alignment is straight (better than then Old line in that respect) but there do seem to be long running TSRs (there's one around Harlestone - Church Brampton) that might be related to embankment weakness. The underlying geology is generally rock - the Northamptonshire Uplands, the same feature as the Cotswolds (without a pretentious name ) - but possibly the embankments were made up with clay for cheapness. Just South of Northampton there's been problems with an embankment slip at Ladybridge but there's been similar problems at Blisworth on the Old Line, too.

South of Northampton to Hanslope junction was increased from 75mph to 100mph. I believe that the signalling is only three aspect and might not have sufficient spacing to enable 100mph running, even with a MU differential.

Thanks, possibly another opportunity missed during the 'Up-Grade'. But with Daventry and the new Northampton freight terminals the New Line's purpose is primarily freight, so a >75 passenger train would soon catch up with a 75 freight -- certainly once the latter terminal is open as well.

So, around 15 minutes extra per mile then!

Yes - we have a Northern Rail type service at Northampton



Edited for un-predictive text.

 

[507016]

Are the 730/2s ever intended to run Liverpool Lime Street - Birmingham? I’ve been told that they’re only currently intended for Crewe - Euston

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Are the 730/2s ever intended to run Liverpool Lime Street - Birmingham? I’ve been told that they’re only currently intended for Crewe - Euston

Yes, test trains have ran to Liverpool from Crewe at least so far.

 

[Silverlinky]

Three aspect signalling Northampton to Daventry it is indeed. The track ride quality is some of the worst on the WMT route a lot of it is on a raised track bed above the rest of the land, rather than being cut through embankments. There is often movement and a number of OLE stanchions are very slowly on the slide down the banks. There have been at times three or four TSR's between Northampton and Long Buckby, it really is that bad.

A lot of work and money would be needed along with a lot of disruption to the service including potentially a lengthy line closure. The time to do this was surely before DIRFT opened?

 

[St. Paddy]

Think only two or three left at Derby LL? Thanks if anyone know

Just 1 I believe, 730204

 

[mansonlo49]

thanks

Just 1 I believe, 730204

 

[507016]

How many motor coaches do the /2s have? (Unless I’ve missed something) the /0s have 1 motor each driving coach near the carriage intersection, but I’ve heard the /2s at stations and from what I can hear it sounds like there is a motor in the middle trailer coach? Someone enlighten me if I am wrong

 

[Peter Sarf]

How many motor coaches do the /2s have? (Unless I’ve missed something) the /0s have 1 motor each driving coach near the carriage intersection, but I’ve heard the /2s at stations and from what I can hear it sounds like there is a motor in the middle trailer coach? Someone enlighten me if I am wrong

I am pretty sure there is a motored bogie under one end of each coach of both 3car and 5car 730s.

For the three car 730/0s probably the inner end of the driving coaches and one end of the centre coach. You probably cannot distinguish between the two adjacent motor bogies at/near one gangway end of the three car coaches.
2-Bo + Bo-2* + Bo-2

For the five car it is possible the centre coaches are arranged so you can hear three groups of motors.
2-Bo + Bo-2 + Bo-2* + 2-Bo + Bo-2

* where Bo-2 might actually be the reverse ie 2-Bo.

Edit/Note
I have a feeling the motor coaches might have the motored bogie under the cab end rather than the inner end instead. I am sure some modern class of EMU has it the more wheel slip prone way around !.

Somewhere in this thread will be the details. I have read the whole thread over the years but cannot remember exactly what I read and from where !.

 

[wickham]

5Q16 0913 Derby to Gascoign Wood ran on Wed 22.01.25: Was this a Class 730 ?

 

[crosscity]

5Q16 0913 Derby to Gascoign Wood ran on Wed 22.01.25: Was this a Class 730 ?

According to Railcam was 37608 and 730233

 

[AJDesiro]

I am pretty sure there is a motored bogie under one end of each coach of both 3car and 5car 730s.

For the three car 730/0s probably the inner end of the driving coaches and one end of the centre coach. You probably cannot distinguish between the two adjacent motor bogies at/near one gangway end of the three car coaches.
2-Bo + Bo-2* + Bo-2

For the five car it is possible the centre coaches are arranged so you can hear three groups of motors.
2-Bo + Bo-2 + Bo-2* + 2-Bo + Bo-2

* where Bo-2 might actually be the reverse ie 2-Bo.

Edit/Note
I have a feeling the motor coaches might have the motored bogie under the cab end rather than the inner end instead. I am sure some modern class of EMU has it the more wheel slip prone way around !.

Somewhere in this thread will be the details. I have read the whole thread over the years but cannot remember exactly what I read and from where !.

I'm quite late to this, but the 730/0 formation is as follows: DM1-PMLW-DM2, so every carriage has a motor
The 730/2 formation is: DM-M1L-PMLW-M2L-DMC, so every carriage on those also has a motor.

I have no idea which bogies are powered though, just that there is at least one on every carriage.

(Data gathered from https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/defaul...mu-trains-authorisation-letter-2024-01-29.pdf)

 

[wickham]

Is 730204 the only Class 730 still not delivered ? If so, it has been overtaken by all the later units, does this suggest a problem?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Is 730204 the only Class 730 still not delivered ? If so, it has been overtaken by all the later units, does this suggest a problem?

The 720s are being delivered all out of order.
It is very possible 730204 has been kept by Derby for ongoing testing as happened with 720534 - part of which went to Vienna, Austria for climate testing.

 

[800001]

Is 730204 the only Class 730 still not delivered ? If so, it has been overtaken by all the later units, does this suggest a problem?

You are correct, it is the only 730/2 not to of left Derby.

 

[507016]

I’ve heard that the 350/2s will be off lease by atleast march? Will this give way to the 730s allowing them to takeover diagrams?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I’ve heard that the 350/2s will be off lease by atleast march? Will this give way to the 730s allowing them to takeover diagrams?

Can't see all them being off lease, no 730/2s will be entertaining service by then. Not sure there's enough to run full service without

 

[Silverlinky]

Can't see all them being off lease, no 730/2s will be entertaining service by then. Not sure there's enough to run full service without

There isn't, so they won't be

730217 operating 5B99 today. Camden to Bletchley TMD, the first unit in there since the depot was handed over. Infrastructure and clearance testing.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Nice! Heard there will be some 730/2s going Long Buckby way at some point given 5 car signage has appeared on the platform

 

[778]

Nice! Heard there will be some 730/2s going Long Buckby way at some point given 5 car signage has appeared on the platform

I thought that they were not supposed to be used on London - Birmingham services that go via the Northampton loop line? The London - Crewe services that they will be taking over don't go through Northampton, unless that has changed.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I thought that they were not supposed to be used on London - Birmingham services that go via the Northampton loop line? The London - Crewe services that they will be taking over don't go through Northampton, unless that has changed.

Not sure it's changed, just that provisions are there for disruption/diversions.

The one TV service first thing on a Sunday goes that route but isn't booked to stop (currently)

 

[Kite159]

I thought that they were not supposed to be used on London - Birmingham services that go via the Northampton loop line? The London - Crewe services that they will be taking over don't go through Northampton, unless that has changed.

Probably a case of making sure they can call at Northampton & Long Buckby for any out of course events or for the few services which start/terminate at Northampton at the extremes of the day.

Plus at least the first Crewe - London service on a Sunday morning goes via Northampton.

 

[778]

Not sure it's changed, just that provisions are there for disruption/diversions.

The one TV service first thing on a Sunday goes that route but isn't booked to stop (currently)

Would you expect then to be introduced on London - Crewe services before they take over London - Tring/MKC?

 

[New!]

Can anyone tell me why the 730s are at gascoine wood? Passed today and can’t understand why they’re all the way up here sat in a siding. Thanks in advance

 

[JonathanH]

Can anyone tell me why the 730s are at gascoine wood? Passed today and can’t understand why they’re all the way up here sat in a siding. Thanks in advance

Gascoigne Wood sidings aren't needed for freight trains any more. The ample space makes them a suitable space for storing units that can't currently be used.

 

[New!]

Gascoigne Wood sidings aren't needed for freight trains any more. The ample space makes them a suitable space for storing units that can't currently be used.

Isn’t it a bit of a way to store them? Surely there’s sidings closer to where they’ll run. That’s what I don’t understand

 

[Andrew1395]

I like the 730s. Mind you I only go from Bushey to London, and occasionally to Milton Keynes on them. I feel blessed that we will, have 5 car and 10 car trains. While Nottingham to Cardiff will just dream of that capacity.

 

[Silverlinky]

Isn’t it a bit of a way to store them? Surely there’s sidings closer to where they’ll run. That’s what I don’t understand

Bletchley TMD is in the process of being rebuilt/refurbished. There is a plan to move units down there in the next couple of months once its all signed off and back in operation. The units will be needed for training too.

 

[nigelsporne]

Now that the 730/0s are in control of the local Brum services are there any moves to put them on the Liverpool service? In theory how many spare units are there after taking in the London pool? Enough to make a start on Liverpool?