British Rail Class 730

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British Rail Class 730 Aventra
Bombardier Aventra Class 730 EMU.jpg
Bombardier Aventra Class 730 EMU on test at Walsall
In service2022 (Planned)[1]
ManufacturerBombardier Transportation
Built atDerby Litchurch Lane Works
Family nameAventra
Replaced
Number under construction76 units
Number built5 units
Formation36 x 3 cars
45 x 5 cars
Operator(s)West Midlands Trains
Specifications
DoorsPlug
Maximum speed730/0:
90 mph (145 km/h)
730/1 & /2:
110 mph (177 km/h)
Electric system(s)25 kV AC (OHLE)
Current collection methodPantograph
BogiesFlexx
Coupling systemDellner
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Class 730/0 diagram
Class 730/1 and /2 diagram

The British Rail Class 730 Aventra[2] is a type of electric multiple unit being built by Bombardier Transportation for West Midlands Trains. Two separate batches of the fleet will be built; 36 three-car units are intended to be operated on West Midlands Railway's suburban services, primarily the Cross-City Line, and 45 five-car units are intended to be operated on London Northwestern Railway's suburban and long-distance services.[3]

They will be the first train of the Aventra family to feature end gangways.[citation needed]

History[]

In October 2017, West Midlands Trains were 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 are being built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works.[3] The first completed train was unveiled in September 2020.[5]

Testing and introduction into service[]

The Class 730 was tested in Velim in the Czech Republic, as well as in the UK.[citation needed] They will enter service in 2022[1] and will be the first of West Midlands Trains’ new fleet to enter service.[citation needed] The introduction of these trains will allow the Class 323s to be withdrawn[1] with 17 sets being cascaded to Northern Trains.[7] It will also ensure the withdrawal of the Class 350/2 units on the West Midlands Trains network.

The new units will be serviced and maintained at a new train maintenance depot at the site of the old Bescot freight yard in Wednesbury.[citation needed]

The Class 730 fleet began testing on the West Midlands Trains network in March 2021.[8]

Fleet[]

The two separate batches will be constructed to operate at different maximum speeds to suit different uses. The three-car Class 730/0 trains - designed for Cross-City Line inner suburban services - will operate at up to 90 mph (140 km/h)[5] and will double capacity on the Cross City Line. 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).[3][5]

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[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Class 730 Fleet". West Midlands Railway. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  2. ^ Clinnick, Richard (11 September 2018). "Bombardier Class 345s roll off the production line". Rail. No. 860. p. 29.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Fender, Keith; Sheratt, Philip (June 2018). "West Midlands prepares for new fleets". Modern Railways. Vol. 75 no. 837. p. 78.
  4. ^ Jones, Tamlyn. "Over 100 new trains West Midlands trains – with wi-fi and speeds up to 110mph". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Class 730 EMU for Birmingham's Cross-City Line revealed". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  6. ^ "Bombardier and CAF win West Midlands train contracts". Railway Gazette International. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Class 323 EMUs to remain in traffic with Northern". Rail. No. 886. 28 August 2019. p. 30.
  8. ^ "New 'Aventra' train pays a visit to Redditch as it builds up the miles". Redditch Standard. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
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