Class 707 - SWT: Introduction into service

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Not directly for use by 707s though. It is the Reading 10 car project which will utilise 458/5s, replaced by 707s. The current 450s used on the Reading route will be internally cascaded to lengthen other 450 services, and replace the 456s on the Ascot - Guildfords.

The lengthening is supposed to be finished by May 2017, which seems feasible based on the previous 10 car platform lengthening works. Complete list is:
Ascot – platforms 1, 2 and 3
Bracknell – platforms 1 and 2
Camberley – platforms 1 and 2 (to 6 car length only)
Chertsey – platforms 1 and 2
Egham – platforms 1 and 2
Feltham – platforms 1 and 2
Martins Heron – platforms 1 and 2
Sunningdale – platforms 1 and 2
Virginia Water – platforms 1 and 2
Wokingham – platform 1 only

Are they really going to extend the platforms at Feltham? They were left out of the Windsor line extension project due to the Bridge and level crossing.

I think originaly there was a plan to close the raod over the level crossing but that it was rejected by Houslow council.

 

[swt_passenger]

Are they really going to extend the platforms at Feltham? They were left out of the Windsor line extension project due to the Bridge and level crossing.

I think originaly there was a plan to close the raod over the level crossing but that it was rejected by Houslow council.

Bit off topic for this thread, but the latest NR plans for the area around Feltham station were approved. Reference is 00609/Q/P14 on Hounslow planning website; approved March 15th.

The council had concerns about some finer details but the basic principles of level crossing closure and footbridge and various ramps to replace it were approved.

 

[Monty]

Bit off topic for this thread, but the latest NR plans for the area around Feltham station were approved. Reference is 00609/Q/P14 on Hounslow planning website; approved March 15th.

The council had concerns about some finer details but the basic principles of level crossing closure and footbridge and various ramps to replace it were approved.

That will upset all the locals who use the LC as a means to leave the station without paying!

 

[SWT_USER]

That will upset all the locals who use the LC as a means to leave the station without paying!

No need anymore, the barriers have been open every PM peak I've been there since the beginning of July!

Thanks SWT passenger, I hadn't realised that the approval to close the crossing had finally gone through.

 

[43096]

Wokingham – platform 1 only

Only the up side needs to be done as the down platform is already 12 car - done as a turn back facility for the Reading remodelling so it could take a 3-car 16x and an 8-car 45x.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Bit off topic for this thread, but the latest NR plans for the area around Feltham station were approved. Reference is 00609/Q/P14 on Hounslow planning website; approved March 15th.

The council had concerns about some finer details but the basic principles of level crossing closure and footbridge and various ramps to replace it were approved.

Excellent news, thank you very much. With the current situation coming from Waterloo coaches 6 and 7 tend to be packed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That will upset all the locals who use the LC as a means to leave the station without paying!

I have not see that but have seen people climbing the wall by the stairs a few times.

However as SWR_USER stated the barriers seem to be open in the Push now. This is also excellent news as when they are closed it leads to unreasonable delays trying to exit the station.

 

[43096]

Not directly for use by 707s though. It is the Reading 10 car project which will utilise 458/5s, replaced by 707s.

Chertsey is 707 related. At present ASDO is fine as the 458s are through gangwayed so passengers from cars 6-10 can get through to the front portion. The 707s have no set end gangways so the platforms have to be minimum 6 car length to allow passengers from the rear set to alight.

 

[Goldfish62]

Bit off topic for this thread, but the latest NR plans for the area around Feltham station were approved. Reference is 00609/Q/P14 on Hounslow planning website; approved March 15th.

The council had concerns about some finer details but the basic principles of level crossing closure and footbridge and various ramps to replace it were approved.

Apologies for continuing to be slightly off-topic.

NR want the crossing closed regardless as it's the second most abused in the Wessex region.

I believe the workplan is that from Jan 2017 Hounslow Road bridge closes for about five months for widening and strengthening to accommodate two bus stop laybys. When this reopens the level crossing will be permanently closed and most buses will move out of the forecourt to the new stops on the bridge. There will be a new station entrance towards the front of the up platform with access ramps to/from the new bus stops.

So, the platform extensions are being done, but won't be ready by next May for the introduction of the Class 707s.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Chertsey is 707 related. At present ASDO is fine as the 458s are through gangwayed so passengers from cars 6-10 can get through to the front portion. The 707s have no set end gangways so the platforms have to be minimum 6 car length to allow passengers from the rear set to alight.

Every time I have tried to wlak the length of a 10 car set of 458s I have found that the connection has been locked off between the 2 five car sets by the guard operating from the middle of the train.

 

[43096]

Every time I have tried to wlak the length of a 10 car set of 458s I have found that the connection has been locked off between the 2 five car sets by the guard operating from the middle of the train.

I have noticed that as well. It does make a bit of a mockery of the cost of installing the new gangways in the first place!

I assume the internal doors are open at locations like Chertsey where the platform is less than 6 cars.

 

[Goldfish62]

I have noticed that as well. It does make a bit of a mockery of the cost of installing the new gangways in the first place!

I assume the internal doors are open at locations like Chertsey where the platform is less than 6 cars.

Not necessarily. I've seen complaints on Twitter of not being able to alight there because the gangway was locked.

 

[43096]

Not necessarily. I've seen complaints on Twitter of not being able to alight there because the gangway was locked.

Ah! Bang goes my theory, then.

 

[phoenixcronin]

Anyone know why the pantograph/pantograph well isn't on the middle car?

 

[Bigfoot]

Why would it matter what coach the panto well is in aslong as it has one?

 

[phoenixcronin]

Just curious, given that they're usually in the middle on 5 car 377s etc

 

[superalbs]

Just curious, given that they're usually in the middle on 5 car 377s etc

The HC 360s have it on the 2nd/4th carriage, facing towards the centre.

 

[swt_passenger]

Just curious, given that they're usually in the middle on 5 car 377s etc

They aren't in the middle of 5 car 444s though, so perhaps Siemens just do it differently?

 

[Class455]

Seeing a Platform extension at Kingston to accommodate 10 car 455/456 combo recently made me think could these 707's be used on the Strawberry Hill loop/Shepperton services or are they just sticking to Windsor services?

 

[43096]

Seeing a Platform extension at Kingston to accommodate 10 car 455/456 combo recently made me think could these 707's be used on the Strawberry Hill loop/Shepperton services or are they just sticking to Windsor services?

Windsor side AFAIAA. The cascade allows 458s to go back to the Reading line.

 

[Goldfish62]

Windsor side AFAIAA. The cascade allows 458s to go back to the Reading line.

Yes, Windsor, Hounslow, Weybridge is where they'll be operating, although undoubtedly they'll appear at Kingston during engineering work diversions.

 

[TEW]

And there is currently a pair of 458/5s in each peak on a Shepperton via Richmond service, so wouldn't rule out 707s taking over that.

 

[1018509]

Will a class 707 ever venture as far south as Bournemouth either for a depot visit or in service?

 

[swt_passenger]

Will a class 707 ever venture as far south as Bournemouth either for a depot visit or in service?

Possibly for periodic work, almost certainly never in service. Just like the 455s when you think about it.

 

[bangor-toad]

I was fortunate enough to be able to visit InnoTrans in Berlin and I got to look at the new SWT Class 707.
(It was work so I didn't have a camera - sorry)

My impressions were that these are going to be nice units.
The feel I light and airy and with the wide walkways between carriages it feels very open. The seats are mainly 2x2 with a wide gangway with a few sections of 1x2 with a lot of space in between.

The seats themselves are thin but comfortable. That's my opinion but I'm sure others will disagree when they get to try them themselves. There is a single plug socket located between each pair of seats. There aren't many tables but that's not unexpected. The windows are large and the seats line up quite well.

The PIS is large and has two video screen segments. As it was on display the smaller was displaying a promotional video and the main bit was showing a map of the SWT route it'll be used on.

The layout is good and the seats are cantilevered in from the side - I assume that's to make cleaning easy. The only criticism is that the fire extinguishers are stored in the open in the vestibules at ankle height. I foresee a few of these being kicked, accidentally or otherwise, and going off...

I was thoroughly impressed by it and the rather happy looking Siemens staff around it had every right to be proud. When I'm over in SWT-land I'll look forward to actually using one of these and would suggest that it'll be a popular unit.
Cheers,
Mr Toad

 

[BritishRail83]

They look very nice from the pictures in the Railway magazine

 

[Juniper Driver]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtHBcSOu1nM

Looks impressive.

 

[CosherB]

Is it not ironic that the SWT chap in the video clip is German whilst the fella from Siemens is English?!

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Nice to see plugs under the seats and not in the walls, but surely having two would make more sense. Or if they are worried about excessive power drain, just ditch the plugs entirely and go for USB sockets.

 

[edwin_m]

USB sockets would be no good for laptops. You can stop people using things like hairdryers on a "13A" socket by fitting a cut-out that prevents more than a couple of amps being drawn.

 

[jon0844]

USB sockets would be no good for laptops. You can stop people using things like hairdryers on a "13A" socket by fitting a cut-out that prevents more than a couple of amps being drawn.

Newer laptops should be fine. I expect more laptops will charge via USB-C soon, negating the need to carry a large PSU.