Class 730 LNR & WMR Delivery/test Updates

[nigelsporne]

I read a little snippet, not sure if it's true but it does make some sense, that the reason units are going back to Gascoigne Wood is that there is insufficient storage space in the Midlands. This will remain the case until Bletchley Depot is complete (why this wasn't done ages ago I don't know) and the 323 leave Soho (where are they going?).

 

[DaveyJones]

I read a little snippet, not sure if it's true but it does make some sense, that the reason units are going back to Gascoigne Wood is that there is insufficient storage space in the Midlands. This will remain the case until Bletchley Depot is complete (why this wasn't done ages ago I don't know) and the 323 leave Soho (where are they going?).

The 323s are pretty much gone, there's a pair hanging around for farewell events etc. They're no longer in service

 

[nigelsporne]

There was a couple on Soho last week together with a number of 730s. All were as single units.

 

[45076]

I read a little snippet, not sure if it's true but it does make some sense, that the reason units are going back to Gascoigne Wood is that there is insufficient storage space in the Midlands. This will remain the case until Bletchley Depot is complete (why this wasn't done ages ago I don't know) and the 323 leave Soho (where are they going?).

It has been well publicised that most of the 323' s have gone to Northern with the other 9 going to Wolverton for storage.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I read a little snippet, not sure if it's true but it does make some sense, that the reason units are going back to Gascoigne Wood is that there is insufficient storage space in the Midlands. This will remain the case until Bletchley Depot is complete (why this wasn't done ages ago I don't know) and the 323 leave Soho (where are they going?).

There is supposed to be a new EMU depot at Bescot istr. That was/is very overdue if it is still happening. This would mean Soho is full !. But I am not sure how many more EMUs Birmingham is expected to have once all the 730s are delivered and the 323s + some-350s have left ?.

 

[crosscity]

The 323s are pretty much gone, there's a pair hanging around for farewell events etc. They're no longer in service

The Farewell Charity special to Liverpool ran last Sunday with the two units that worked it transferred to Wolverton on the Monday, leaving just 323240 at Soho.
Last Friday (04Oct) was the staff farewell with 323240 - it was parked up at Wolverhampton for a few hours, then made a final short appearance at New St before returning to Soho. It will join the other eight surplus units at Wolverton tomorrow (07Oct).

 

[Kite159]

There is supposed to be a new EMU depot at Bescot istr. That was/is very overdue if it is still happening. This would mean Soho is full !. But I am not sure how many more EMUs Birmingham is expected to have once all the 730s are delivered and the 323s + some-350s have left ?.

Didn't the Bescot depot get kicked into the long grass?

I presume Soho depot would have had hardly anything to do with the 350s other than a stabling point overnight?

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Any news on when more of the Walsall - Wolverhampton services will switch over to being run by 730s now the takeover on the CrossCity line is complete?

 

[Roger B]

Didn't the Bescot depot get kicked into the long grass?

I presume Soho depot would have had hardly anything to do with the 350s other than a stabling point overnight?

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Any news on when more of the Walsall - Wolverhampton services will switch over to being run by 730s now the takeover on the CrossCity line is complete?

730040 was working one of the Walsall - Wolverhampton diagrams yesterday

 

[Kite159]

730040 was working one of the Walsall - Wolverhampton diagrams yesterday

The question was when more diagrams on that route will change over other than the original one which was the first 730 in the midlands.

 

[Peter Sarf]

The question was when more diagrams on that route will change over other than the original one which was the first 730 in the midlands.

I wonder if we are waiting for some 350s to reach the end of their lease ?.

 

[Pumbaa]

The question was when more diagrams on that route will change over other than the original one which was the first 730 in the midlands.

This time next week. Plus first diagram on the Rugeley - International as well.

 

[Merle Haggard]

I wonder if we are waiting for some 350s to reach the end of their lease ?.

I wonder if they already have. Last Saturday, Avanti's 15.21 New Street - Euston was cancelled (usual reason) and there was ticket acceptance on the LNw 15.36. departure to Euston, Unfortunately, the latter was only a 4 car and it was not really possible to board it at 15.25. The next LNw was the 16.06, and this was also 4 car (not so much of a problem - it was pined* at Northampton!).
So unless there's been a rapid decline in maintenance standards at Kings Heath the shortage might be explained by 350/2s having gone off lease. The short formation was unexplained (i.e. not the usual 'more trains than usual needing maintenance') so perhaps it's not King's Heath's fault.
Nothing to do with LNw but the next Avanti departure to Euston (15.47) was an 805 instead of an 11 car Pendo...
*Pine - terminated before destination.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I wonder if they already have. Last Saturday, Avanti's 15.21 New Street - Euston was cancelled (usual reason) and there was ticket acceptance on the LNw 15.36. departure to Euston, Unfortunately, the latter was only a 4 car and it was not really possible to board it at 15.25. The next LNw was the 16.06, and this was also 4 car (not so much of a problem - it was pined* at Northampton!).
So unless there's been a rapid decline in maintenance standards at Kings Heath the shortage might be explained by 350/2s having gone off lease. The short formation was unexplained (i.e. not the usual 'more trains than usual needing maintenance') so perhaps it's not King's Heath's fault.
Nothing to do with LNw but the next Avanti departure to Euston (15.47) was an 805 instead of an 11 car Pendo...
*Pine - terminated before destination.

Crickey. Makes sense (erm).

An 807 would be an improvement on an 805 and seeing as 807s will be in surplus what is an 805 doing there !.

Meanwhile, yes looks like Kings Heath has spare capacity for 350s but Soho needs more capacity for the 730s that are replacing 350s !.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I don't believe any 350/2 have gone off lease yet. There were trapped trains in the afternoon so some may have been split to ensure all services run (though the 20:30 off Euston never ran)

 

[DannyMich2018]

Crickey. Makes sense (erm).

An 807 would be an improvement on an 805 and seeing as 807s will be in surplus what is an 805 doing there !.

Meanwhile, yes looks like Kings Heath has spare capacity for 350s but Soho needs more capacity for the 730s that are replacing 350s !.

The last WMT 323 left Soho earlier today so that should help, there should be 31 730s used daily now (11 pairs Cross City plus 4 pairs Euston-Bletchley/MK with a single set on Wolves-Walsall, with as above more WMR diagrams starting next week it makes the 2 gone to store very bizarre!

 

[Peter Sarf]

The last WMT 323 left Soho earlier today so that should help, there should be 31 730s used daily now (11 pairs Cross City plus 4 pairs Euston-Bletchley/MK with a single set on Wolves-Walsall, with as above more WMR diagrams starting next week it makes the 2 gone to store very bizarre!

There are 48 730/0s all together. So I am wondering what at least a dozen of them are meant for ?.

Especially when the 4 pairs for Euston-Bletchley/MK/Tring are meant to be replaced by 730/2s !.

Bizarre in many ways.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There are 48 730/0s all together. So I am wondering what at least a dozen of them are meant for ?.

Especially when the 4 pairs for Euston-Bletchley/MK/Tring are meant to be replaced by 730/2s !.

Bizarre in many ways.

All 350 workings around Birmingham that don't go to Liverpool or London are meant to cease, it isn't just like for like 323 replacement.

 

[Peter Sarf]

All 350 workings around Birmingham that don't go to Liverpool or London are meant to cease, it isn't just like for like 323 replacement.

That is what I thought but lost track of how many 350s that displaces (?).

Also adds to the load at Soho as I doubt if Kings Heath (Siemens) will support the 730s ?.
So I wonder if Bescot is still to be an EMU depot for Birmingham - though not much sign of it.

 

[mansonlo49]

There are 48 730/0s all together. So I am wondering what at least a dozen of them are meant for ?.

Especially when the 4 pairs for Euston-Bletchley/MK/Tring are meant to be replaced by 730/2s !.

Bizarre in many ways.

When's 730/2 coming in traffic? Thanks anyone have idea?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

When's 730/2 coming in traffic? Thanks anyone have idea?

Been pushed back into 2025 now. Not on the December diagrams

 

[mansonlo49]

Been pushed back into 2025 now. Not on the December diagrams

thank you for replying

 

[wickham]

730232 was on Wembley based WCML mileage running today (Tue 08.10.24) seen passing southbound through Harrow & Wealstone at high speed at 1152 then sitting in Wembly yard about 15 minutes later with headlights on waiting to return north again. Also in Wembley yard with headlights on facing north was another 730/2, but it did not move between 1130 and 1215, can anyone say which one this was please ?

 

[mansonlo49]

Hello does anyone know is this a 730? Thanks

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Today at Crewe depot (10/9/24):

37510 dropped off 730212 and 730217 from Old Dalby on 5Q42.

 

[crosscity]

Hello does anyone know is this a 730? Thanks

According to Railcam: 37510 hauling 730212 and 730217

 

[mansonlo49]

According to Railcam: 37510 hauling 730212 and 730217

thanks，

 

[Sunil_P]

730042 was at Euston on Wednesday, operating the 1154 to Tring.

 

[mansonlo49]

hello everyone does anyone know what operated from Gascoigne wood to crewe which stopped at Leicester today? Thanks

 

[crosscity]

5Q63: Railcam says 37510 plus 730003 and 730011.

 

[Liam L]

So what units are left to enter traffic on 730/0 side? I have it down to a handful?