Railway rollouts 36 new trains on commuter line

The first rollout of 36 new trains on a commuter line will make a "massive difference" to travellers, a rail operator has said.

London Northwestern Railway said the first of its new Class 730/2 fleet will begin running from Monday on the West Cost Mainline, into Euston Station, London, stopping at Northampton, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, and Watford stations.

The trains are part of £1bn of investment on the line, the company said.

Ian McConnell, its managing director, said the new trains will add 15,000 extra seats every day and increase capacity by 20%.

Mr McConnell said the trains would be "more reliable".

"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."

Phil Warner, the chair of the Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users Association, welcomed the increased capacity.

"Train were shorter than they should be and could get over crowded, more seats and more space to sit down, means less standing and less crowding.

"They'll carry more people which is what rail needs to do to take pressure off the road network."

The new trains were built in the UK by Alstom, and feature air conditioning, power points at every seat and improved accessibility, the company added.

More trains will come into service from 23 June as more drivers and conductors are trained.

Other destinations on the line, including Hemel Hempstead, Leighton Buzzard, Berkhamsted and Kings Langley will have new trains from the end of the year or beginning of 2026.

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