Alstom Delivers 36 Class 730/2 Units to LNR to Enhance Comfort and Capacity on Euston Services

Alstom Delivers 36 Class 730/2 Units to LNR to Enhance Comfort and Capacity on Euston Services

(IN BRIEF) LNR has introduced 36 UK-built Class 730/2 electric trains, adding 180 carriages and boosting capacity by 20 percent on services to and from London Euston. These five-car Aventra units—equipped with open gangways, seat-level charging, and intelligent air conditioning—will initially operate between Northampton and Euston before expanding to the Trent Valley line. The fleet’s first run occurred on 9 June 2025, following a launch event attended by senior Alstom and LNR executives. Each train offers 406 seats (812 when paired), replacing lower-capacity Class 350s. LNR expects the full fleet to be in service by end-2026, reinforcing Alstom’s Derby factory as a cornerstone of Britain’s largest modern train-manufacturing programme.

(PRESS RELEASE) SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, 11-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has launched 36 brand-new electric trains—Class 730/2—built at Alstom’s Derby factory, marking a significant upgrade to services in and out of London Euston. Each five-carriage unit features open gangways, power sockets at every seat, and smart climate control, collectively adding 20 percent more capacity on key routes. In total, 180 fresh carriages will carry millions of passengers annually.

Designed and manufactured in the UK at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works, the Class 730/2s will first run between Northampton and London Euston, stopping at Milton Keynes Central, Tring and Watford Junction. Before year-end, they will also serve the Trent Valley line from Crewe to Euston via Lichfield Trent Valley, Nuneaton and Rugby. These trains belong to Alstom’s Aventra family, which has already delivered 2,660 cars across the UK since 2015—Europe’s largest recent train-building programme.

UK and Ireland Rolling Stock and Components Managing Director and Rob Whyte, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Alstom at the launch event at Euston on Friday 6 June 2025

The inaugural passenger service departed London Euston at 4:19 pm on 9 June 2025, operated by units 730213 and 730233. A launch ceremony held on 6 June at Euston featured Rob Whyte (Alstom UK&I Managing Director), Andy Butters (Alstom UK&I Rolling Stock MD), Peter Broadley (Commercial Director) and Adrian Grigg (Customer Director).

“We’re immensely proud to see the Derby-built Class 730/2 fleet enter service,” said Rob Whyte. “These cutting-edge trains showcase our commitment to sustainable, high-capacity travel and reflect the skill of our UK workforce.”

Ian McConnell, Managing Director of LNR, added, “This £1 billion investment—anchored by our new Class 730/2 trains—will transform the passenger experience by providing more seats and modern amenities. We expect the entire fleet to be operational by the end of 2026.”

Each five-car set seats 406 passengers, compared with an average 233 on the outgoing Class 350s. When coupled in pairs, they offer 812 seats across ten carriages—surpassing the seating of a typical 12-car Class 350. LNR, part of West Midlands Trains, previously introduced three-car Class 730/0 units on the Cross-City Line and other regional routes.

Media Contact:

Tel: + 33 (0)1 57 06 90 00

SOURCE: Alstom