A new fleet of electric trains from Alstom has officially entered service for London Northwestern Railway, marking a significant step forward in rail travel for millions of passengers using routes into and out of London Euston.
The Class 730/2 fleet comprises 36 five-carriage trains, totalling 180 new carriages. Designed and manufactured at Alstom’s Derby facility, the new units deliver a 20% increase in capacity compared to the existing fleet, aiming to improve the daily commute and leisure journeys for passengers.
The first train entered passenger service on 9 June 2025, departing London Euston at 16:19 for Northampton, operated by units 730213 and 730233. The launch follows an event held at Euston on 6 June, attended by senior figures from Alstom, including Rob Whyte, Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, and Andy Butters, Managing Director of Rolling Stock and Components.
“This is a major step forward in sustainable, high-capacity rail travel and a testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams,” said Rob Whyte. “It reinforces Alstom’s commitment to delivering innovation that transforms the passenger experience and supports the future of British rail.”
The new trains initially serve the route between Northampton and London Euston, stopping at key stations such as Milton Keynes Central, Tring and Watford Junction. Later in the year, the fleet will begin operating on the Trent Valley line between Crewe and Euston, via stations including Lichfield Trent Valley, Nuneaton and Rugby.
Built as part of Alstom’s Aventra family of electric multiple units, the Class 730/2s include modern passenger-focused features such as open gangways, charging points at every seat, and intelligent air conditioning systems. A single five-car train provides 406 seats, nearly doubling the seating capacity compared to the Class 350 units being phased out. When operated in pairs, the trains offer 812 seats across 10 carriages—more than the average 12-carriage formation of the older fleet.
“Our fantastic Class 730/2 fleet is the cornerstone of our GBP 1 billion investment into the railway,” said Ian McConnell, Managing Director at London Northwestern 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.”
The full Class 730/2 fleet is expected to be rolled out by the end of 2026, forming a key part of West Midlands Trains’ modernisation strategy. West Midlands Trains operates both London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services.
This deployment follows the successful introduction of the smaller Class 730/0 units—also manufactured at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works—across the West Midlands network. The three-car trains are now in use on the Cross-City Line in Birmingham and on routes between Wolverhampton, Walsall, Rugeley and Birmingham International.
Since 2015, Alstom has built over 2,600 cars at its Derby site, forming part of the largest UK train manufacturing programme in a generation. The Class 730/2 represents the latest phase in this effort, underlining the ongoing transformation of regional and intercity rail services through domestic production and innovation.
Share on:
