ORR approval for new Class 730/0 EMUs

THE Office of Rail & Road has given authorisation for the placing into service of the 36 three-car Class 730/0 electric multiple units ordered from Bombardier (since taken over by Alstom) for West Midlands Railway.

The three-car sets, Nos. 730001-730036, for Cross-City line services (LichfieldBirmingham New StreetBromsgrove/Redditch), will be allowed to operate as single sets or in pairs.

A total of 81 Class 730s have been ordered. The remainder comprise 29 fivecar sets for outer suburban use (Class 730/1) and a further 16 (Class 730/2, also five-car) for longer distances.