Why are 350/2s being replaced with 730s?

[LNW-GW Joint]

The new 730s are definitely a noteworthy upgrade, and are much more suited to intercity travel than their predecessors, so if LNR can make a big enough splash of it they might be able to win back a chunk of the London-Birmingham 'business/professional but don't want to pay Avanti's expensive post-COVID fares' market from what I would guess mostly sits with Chiltern at the moment, but probably some from Avanti too.

When Avanti, WMT and Chiltern are all under the GBR banner, it will be interesting to see how the London-Birmingham fares on offer change.
DfT will want to maximise revenue/minimise costs from the whole set (as indeed they do now, but managed separately).

 

[tfw756rider]

Sorry, I looked it up, apparently they were upgraded in 2018, but it used to be the case that they could only do 100.

110mph timeline:

350/1 - 2012
(350/4 from new in 2013)
(350/3 from new in 2014)
350/2 - 2018
360/1 (East Mids) - 2020-21

==================

I'm sure a fellow member who's a West Midlands Trains employee once posted that some of the 350/2s might be staying, even after all the 730s are in service, but I've seen posts from others more recently implying that they will all be going. Does anyone know in here know whether some of the 350/2s might be staying or definitely will all be going?

 

[Tilting007]

Sorry, I looked it up, apparently they were upgraded in 2018, but it used to be the case that they could only do 100.

The pantographs were changed to match the rest of the 350s, if I am remembering correctly

 

[tfw756rider]

The pantographs were changed to match the rest of the 350s, if I am remembering correctly

Yes and something to do with motors and rotors, it's in an older thread.

 

[AJDesiro]

I'm sure a fellow member who's a West Midlands Trains employee once posted that some of the 350/2s might be staying, even after all the 730s are in service, but I've seen posts from others more recently implying that they will all be going. Does anyone know in here know whether some of the 350/2s might be staying or definitely will all be going?

It was @Silverlinky if I recall correctly, something about a small number remaining and being refurbished accordingly.

 

[Pumbaa]

All of the /2 are going off-lease and none retained. All planned to be gone by Dec 25.

 

[Crant90045]

All of the /2 are going off-lease and none retained. All planned to be gone by Dec 25.

Thank you!

 

[DJH1971]

All of the /2 are going off-lease and none retained. All planned to be gone by Dec 25.

Then they need to get a move on with the 730/2's

 

[185]

All of the /2 are going off-lease and none retained. All planned to be gone by Dec 25.

All planned to have gone off lease in 2021 too.

 

[AJDesiro]

Then they need to get a move on with the 730/2's

Driver training has begun, on round trips from Bletchley to Rugby, I believe it's a short conversion course. Northampton have been learning 730/0s to allow for a "bolt on conversion" according to this post:

Also, to report that Driver training has started for Northampton Drivers on 3 car units in advance of the 5 car units being introduced onto the Trent Valley services initially. When the 5's are signed off a bolt on conversion from 3 to 5 car will take place.

The plan is for them to start on the Trent Valley around Juneish.

 

[tfw756rider]

It was @Silverlinky if I recall correctly, something about a small number remaining and being refurbished accordingly.

Thanks, even with the subsequent replies

All of the /2 are going off-lease and none retained. All planned to be gone by Dec 25.

Ah thanks, so that's the final plan then. Thanks for confirming

All planned to have gone off lease in 2021 too.

At some point in-between then and now, the operator was at least thinking about keeping some of them. Anyway, we now know that they ended up deciding not to keep any after all.

 

[GhostManDN91]

Not sure if it's been mentioned before but are the 730/2s faster than the 350s in regards to acceleration rates or similar?

 

[Russel]

They are good quality, comfortable & reliable trains and I am sad to see them go. They are perfectly fine for a trip to Birmingham. I am sad they are going.

Agreed, they are good quality and reliable, as a regular Trent Valley to Euston passenger, I've never had one fail on me...

However, that's where it ends, the suggestion that they are comfortable, especially on a 2 hour trip to Birmingham, is laughable and I can't wait to see the back of them.

 

[Class15]

Anyway, we now know that they ended up deciding not to keep any after all.

Do we know that for sure? Last I heard was 5-10 being kept but obviously that may have been overtaken by events.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Do we know that for sure? Last I heard was 5-10 being kept but obviously that may have been overtaken by events.

Heard from who?

 

[londonmidland]

The /2s are awful. Don’t know how anyone can like them. They’re cramped with their horrible and outdated 3+2 seating and are now looking increasingly scruffy and unloved. Not to mention a lack of plug sockets and tables.

Good riddance I say.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The /2s are awful. Don’t know how anyone can like them.

I certainly prefer them over junk like the Class 720, arguably the worst and least comfortable thing to hit the UK rails in a long time.

 

[py_megapixel]

Same could be said for the 323s yet they got refurbished

Most of the works done to the 323s were required because of accessibility regulations - about the only bit that wasn't was replacing the seat fabric, which I can't imagine was terribly expensive considering the units would already have been away for the other works.
The original fabric was probably also more worn on the 323s - on the Northern 150s it might be "the wrong colour" but it's also only a few years old.

 

[RealTrains07]

They’re cramped with their horrible and outdated 3+2 seating and are now looking increasingly scruffy and unloved. Not to mention a lack of plug sockets and tables.

I think we all know the reason why they are looking “increasingly scruffy and unloved” its due to the fact they are all about to go off lease. The same reason why they also don’t have plug sockets.

So although these are valid criticisms of LNRs upkeep of them, their is valid reasons to why they are in this condition or lack certain features the other subclasses have gained.

 

[sqwizz]

I really like the /2's apart from the lack of charging sockets. Thick comfy seats, and they're warm and cosy on a cold morning. The 730/0's have thinner seats and were a bit too cold inside for me. Hope the 730/2's have different seats.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I really like the /2's apart from the lack of charging sockets. Thick comfy seats, and they're warm and cosy on a cold morning. The 730/0's have thinner seats and were a bit too cold inside for me. Hope the 730/2's have different seats.

They're the same seats but wider (45cm instead of 43.5cm) and have armrests. They are hard but I find them a good shape personally.

 

[Travelmonkey]

Driver training has begun, on round trips from Bletchley to Rugby, I believe it's a short conversion course. Northampton have been learning 730/0s to allow for a "bolt on conversion" according to this post:


The plan is for them to start on the Trent Valley around Juneish.

I'll have to keep a eye out for them, I know they've been busy on thest whooshing through but it'd be nice to roll aboard one soon.

It will take time to bed in that's for sure, although I will be glad to see the /2s go even if my pedanticary has now turned into a running joke

It will take time to bed in that's for sure, although I will be glad to see the /2s go even if my pedanticary has now turned into a running joke

 

[Silverlinky]

730/2's are scheduled to enter service on June 9th, initially one diagram. They will replace current 730/0 diagrams over time so there is no initial increase in 730 traincrew diagrams across the depot. Therefore MKC and Tring to Euston first for these units rather than Trent Valley at this time.

 

[tfw756rider]

730/2's are scheduled to enter service on June 9th, initially one diagram. They will replace current 730/0 diagrams over time so there is no initial increase in 730 traincrew diagrams across the depot. Therefore MKC and Tring to Euston first for these units rather than Trent Valley at this time.

Thanks, do you know which diagram will be the initial one?

 

[Silverlinky]

Thanks, do you know which diagram will be the initial one?

Don't know yet!

 

[tfw756rider]

Don't know yet!

No worries, thanks for the reply anyway

 

[mavml]

Don't know yet!

If the 730/2 will start by replacing 730/0, do you know if it will be 10 car or 5 car?