A new fleet of Alstom electric trains manufactured in Derby has entered passenger service for London Northwestern Railway on routes to and from London Euston.
The Class 730/2 trains, built by Alstom at its Derby Litchurch Lane Works, consist of 36 five-carriage units, totalling 180 new carriages.
The introduction of the fleet will increase overall capacity on key commuter routes by approximately 20%, with additional improvements to passenger facilities.
The trains have been introduced on the Northampton to London Euston route, with stops including Milton Keynes Central, Tring and Watford Junction. Later in the year, they are scheduled to begin operating on the Trent Valley line between Crewe and London Euston, serving stations such as Lichfield Trent Valley, Nuneaton and Rugby.
Each Class 730/2 train includes open gangways, power sockets at every seat, and automatic air conditioning systems designed to respond to temperature changes. The trains are part of Alstom’s Aventra platform, which has supplied over 2,600 carriages to operators across the UK since 2015.
Rob Whyte, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Alstom said:We are all incredibly proud to see the Class 730/2 fleet – designed and built right here in the UK at our Derby facility – enter service. These state-of-the-art trains represent a major step forward in sustainable, high-capacity rail travel and are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams.
He added: “This milestone reinforces Alstom’s commitment to delivering innovation that transforms the passenger experience and supports the future of British rail.”
The first scheduled service using the new trains departed London Euston for Northampton at 16:19 on Monday 9 June. This followed a launch event held at Euston station on 6 June, attended by representatives from Alstom and London Northwestern Railway.
Each five-carriage Class 730/2 train provides 406 seats, which compares to 233 seats on the Class 350 trains they are replacing. Many of the new units will operate in pairs, offering up to 812 seats per service.
Ian McConnell, Managing Director at London Northwestern Railway said:Our fantastic Class 730/2 fleet is the cornerstone of our £1 billion investment into the railway. They will make a real difference, bringing more capacity and modern features to the millions of commuters and leisure travellers who use our services to and from London each year.
We are excited to bring these new electric trains onto our network, with the whole fleet expected to be rolled out by the end of 2026.
