New Electric Trains to Start Gradual Rollout on Northampton–London Line
The new Class 730/2 electric trains are scheduled to begin service between Northampton and London Euston on Monday, 9 June 2025. The first departure is set for 16:19 from Euston and will operate as a regular passenger service. From 10 June, additional services will be added to the timetable, including a 06:56 departure from Bletchley, as part of the gradual rollout. This marks the start of a broader replacement programme for ageing rolling stock used on this heavily used commuter corridor.
Each train has five carriages and space for 406 people, built in a straightforward setup that’s meant to handle the usual weekday crowds. The aim is to make it easier to find a seat during rush hours and to reduce the chances of services running inconsistently. Certain stations on the line have operated with short formations for years, which has contributed to extended dwell times, restricted boarding and limited seating for regular passengers during busier periods.
Initially, the new trains will serve the following stations:
- Bletchley
- Milton Keynes
- Watford
- Tring
- Northampton
As more drivers and conductors complete operational training, the new fleet will be progressively introduced on other segments of the route. Later this year or in early 2026, they are also expected to begin stopping at:
- Hemel Hempstead
- Leighton Buzzard
- Berkhamsted
- Kings Langley
The Class 730/2 units are fitted with air circulation systems, standard UK plug sockets and level boarding access to accommodate wheelchairs and passengers with reduced mobility. The trains don’t have anything fancy, but they come with the essentials that regular passengers need on short and medium journeys. The trains will also be deployed in longer 10-car formations on the busiest sections of the network to support passenger flow and help avoid delays caused by overcrowding.
These trains are going to make a massive difference. There's going to be 15,000 (extra) seats every single day, that's 20% additional capacity. They're going to have a much more comfortable, modern, state-of-the-art experience, much more space and much more chance of getting a seat and a much better experience all together.
The trains won’t all appear at once. They will be added gradually so that services stay on track while the new ones are worked in. This approach allows operators to monitor reliability and passenger response before expanding the fleet to further destinations. Once fully operational, the new stock will form a regular part of services along the West Coast Main Line without requiring significant timetable adjustments.
