British Rail Class 730
| British Rail Class 730 Aventra | |
|---|---|
| In service | 2021 (planned) |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier Transportation |
| Built at | Derby Litchurch Lane Works |
| Family name | Aventra |
| Replaced | |
| Number under construction | 81 trainsets |
| Formation | 36 x 3 cars 45 x 5 cars |
| Operator(s) | West Midlands Trains |
| Specifications | |
| Doors | Plug |
| Maximum speed | 730/0: 90 mph (145 km/h) 730/1 & /2: 110 mph (177 km/h) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV AC (OHLE) |
| Current collection method | Pantograph |
| Bogies | Flexx |
| Coupling system | Dellner |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The British Rail Class 730 Aventra[1] is a class of electric multiple units to be built by Bombardier for West Midlands Trains. Two separate batches are planned to be built, with 36 three-car units intended to be operated on suburban services on the Cross-City Line by West Midlands Railway, and 45 five-car units for suburban and long-distance services from Euston by London Northwestern Railway.[2]
They will be the first train of the Aventra family to feature end gangways.[3]
History[edit]
In October 2017, West Midlands Trains was awarded the franchise to operate both local rail services around Birmingham and the West Midlands, suburban services to London Euston, and long-distance inter-urban services operating from both Euston and Birmingham New Street.[4] At the time the franchise was awarded, the company announced that it would procure more than 100 new trains at a cost of £680m[5] to replace older rolling stock and enhance its fleet. Of these, a total of 81 EMUs were ordered from Bombardier Transportation from its Aventra product range.[6] They will be built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works.[2] The first completed train was unveiled in September 2020.[5]
Testing and Introduction into Service[edit]
The Class 730 was tested in Velim in the Czech Republic, as well as in the UK.[citation needed] They will enter service in mid 2021 to 2022.[citation needed] They will be the first of West Midlands Train's new fleet to enter service.[citation needed] The introduction these trains will allow the class 323 to be cascaded to other routes on the network.[citation needed] The trains will be serviced at a new depot a new train maintenance depot at the site of the old Bescot freight yard in Wednesbury.[citation needed]
Some will be put under the LNWR brand name, whereas some will carry the West Midlands Railway livery and branding.
Fleet[edit]
The two separate batches will be constructed to operate at different maximum speeds to suit different uses. The three-car Class 730/0 train - designed for Cross-City Line inner suburban services - will operate at up to 90 mph (140 km/h).[5] The five-car Class 730/1 and 730/2 trains - designed for outer suburban services and long distance services respectively - will operate at up to 110 mph (180 km/h).[2][5] They will double capacity on the cross city line.
| Class | Operator | No. Built | Year Built | Cars per Unit | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 730/0 | West Midlands Trains | 36 | 2020-21 | 3 | 730001–730036 |
| Class 730/1 | 29 | 5 | 730101–730129 | ||
| Class 730/2 | 16 | 730201–730216 |
References[edit]
- ^ Clinnick, Richard (11 September 2018). "Bombardier Class 345s roll off the production line". Rail (860): 29.
- ^ a b c Fender, Keith; Sheratt, Philip (June 2018). "West Midlands prepares for new fleets". Modern Railways. 75 (837): 78.
- ^ @Richard_rail (30 March 2020). "Here's a driving vehicle from a @BombardierR_UK Cl.730 on order for @WestMidRailway. @RAIL 902, on press this Wednesday has a full round-up of what's happening at the UK train factories at the moment #COVID19" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Jones, Tamlyn. "Over 100 new trains West Midlands trains – with wi-fi and speeds up to 110mph". Birmingham Post. Birmingham Post. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Class 730 EMU for Birmingham's Cross-City Line revealed". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
- ^ "Bombardier and CAF win West Midlands train contracts". Railway Gazette International. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.