A brand new British-built train fleet, set to transport millions of passengers to and from London Euston annually, has officially entered service for London Northwestern Railway.
The electric Class 730/2 fleet comprises 36 five-carriage trains, totalling 180 new carriages, and delivers an impressive 20% uplift in capacity on routes serving London Euston railway station. These modern trains are designed to significantly enhance the passenger experience, featuring open gangways, charging points at every seat, and intelligent air conditioning.
Designed and built in the UK by Alstom at its Derby factory, the fleet will initially be rolled out on services between Northampton and London Euston, calling at key stations including Milton Keynes Central, Tring, and Watford Junction. Later this year, the fleet is scheduled to enter service on the Trent Valley line, connecting Crewe and Euston, with stops at stations such as Lichfield Trent Valley, Nuneaton, and Rugby.
Rob Whyte, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Alstom, expressed his pride: “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.”
Part of the Aventra family of electric multiple-unit trains, Alstom has produced 2,660 cars at its historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works for customers across the UK since 2015, marking it as the biggest train manufacturing programme in a generation.
The inaugural Class 730/2 in passenger service was the 4.19pm departure from London Euston to Northampton on Monday 9 June 2025, operated by units 730213 and 730233. The train’s entry into service followed a grand launch event at Euston on Friday 6 June, attended by Rob Whyte alongside Alstom’s Andy Butters, UK and Ireland Rolling Stock and Components Managing Director, Peter Broadley, UK and Ireland Commercial Director, and Adrian Grigg, Customer Director.
Ian McConnell, Managing Director at London Northwestern Railway, highlighted the significance of the new fleet: “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.”
He concluded: “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.”
A five-car Class 730/2 boasts 406 seats, a significant increase compared to the average of 233 seats on the Class 350 trains they are replacing. Many of the Class 730/2s will operate in pairs, offering 812 seats across 10 carriages – exceeding the capacity of an average 12-carriage Class 350.
London Northwestern Railway is a part of West Midlands Trains, a train operating company that also manages West Midlands Railway services. The launch of the Class 730/2 follows the successful deployment of the three-carriage Derby-built Class 730/0s across the West Midlands Railway network. These trains are currently in service on the popular Cross-City Line in Birmingham, between Wolverhampton and Walsall, and connecting Rugeley and Birmingham International.
