Class 707 - SWT: Introduction into service

GW43125 · 17 Aug 2017

Monty said:
So long as it's an ex458/0

Which unfortunately the one that failed today wasn't (458536).

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hassaanhc · 17 Aug 2017

Class 707s are 95% similar to Class 700s. Therefore if you don't like the 700s you almost certainly won't be liking the 707s either.

Now I'm someone that never liked the soggy Class 458 seats, and preferred the seats in the Class 450 or 455 units, and the Class 707 seats are similar. I also have quite short legs so legroom is rarely an issue for me, and it indeed isn't on either the 450, 455 or 707. Toilets I'm not bothered about, of course in the 458s they hardly ever work anyway, but a lot of my travel is on the Tube, DLR or buses, which of course don't have toilets. And I much prefer to use a non-train toilet anyway, even if at some stations they can be a bit grim (Waterloo, Raynes Park, and Surbiton, looking at you three...

). Plus in middle door stock, the toilets open directly into the passenger area, and I don't find it nice sitting near those.

But I appreciate that I'm in the minority here, but I'm really looking forward to the 707s taking over on the Hounslow services. They will really tempt me back from the more convenient but less nicer services from Southall to Paddington and having to use the Bakerloo Line onwards.

TT-ONR-NRN · 18 Aug 2017

hassaanhc said:
Class 707s are 95% similar to Class 700s. Therefore if you don't like the 700s you almost certainly won't be liking the 707s either.

Now I'm someone that never liked the soggy Class 458 seats, and preferred the seats in the Class 450 or 455 units, and the Class 707 seats are similar. I also have quite short legs so legroom is rarely an issue for me, and it indeed isn't on either the 450, 455 or 707. Toilets I'm not bothered about, of course in the 458s they hardly ever work anyway, but a lot of my travel is on the Tube, DLR or buses, which of course don't have toilets. And I much prefer to use a non-train toilet anyway, even if at some stations they can be a bit grim (Waterloo, Raynes Park, and Surbiton, looking at you three... ). Plus in middle door stock, the toilets open directly into the passenger area, and I don't find it nice sitting near those.

But I appreciate that I'm in the minority here, but I'm really looking forward to the 707s taking over on the Hounslow services. They will really tempt me back from the more convenient but less nicer services from Southall to Paddington and having to use the Bakerloo Line onwards.

That's interesting. I like the 707s, but I've always loved 458 seats in comparison to those on 450/455s. Think its because of the squashy head bit, its so comfortable!

Class455 · 18 Aug 2017

Can the 707's be coupled to an older Desiro (444/450) and 458 as well as a Class 700 or can they only couple with 700's and other 707's?

Bigfoot · 18 Aug 2017

Class455 said:
Can the 707's be coupled to an older Desiro (444/450) and 458 as well as a Class 700 or can they only couple with 700's and other 707's?

Any train can couple to anything with the correct coupler or adaptor. But your question is not except for rescue purposes. No electrical connection is possible.

Uzair · 18 Aug 2017

Class455 said:
Can the 707's be coupled to an older Desiro (444/450) and 458 as well as a Class 700 or can they only couple with 700's and other 707's?

Mechanically yes, electrically no.

TT-ONR-NRN · 18 Aug 2017

Bigfoot said:
Any train can couple to anything with the correct coupler or adaptor. But your question is not except for rescue purposes. No electrical connection is possible.

The 165/166s can't couple to Sprinters, and they both have BSI couplers.

Roast Veg · 18 Aug 2017

TT-ONR-NRN said:
The 165/166s can't couple to Sprinters, and they both have BSI couplers.

There is a protocol to couple at least some of these units together - it requires the suspension to be deflated on the Networker Turbos modified for use in the south west.

bILLOO · 19 Aug 2017

Are there any 707 units out and about today?

43096 · 19 Aug 2017

spark001uk said:
Re the 531-536 usage, I was more referring to the use of 1 or 2 of them together, thereby not providing any 1st class, which that route does require. Although having said that I've seen 455s on it, more than once!

Nope! 458531/533 working 1154 Reading - Waterloo as I type!

Bungle965 · 19 Aug 2017

bILLOO said:
Are there any 707 units out and about today?

The 707s worked for the first and last time with SWT yesterday.
Sam

spark001uk · 19 Aug 2017

43096 said:
Nope! 458531/533 working 1154 Reading - Waterloo as I type!

I'll have a first class return to Waterloo please!

SpacePhoenix · 19 Aug 2017

Was Thursday's running just a trial or are the 707s now fully cleared for public service?

spark001uk · 19 Aug 2017

SpacePhoenix said:
Was Thursday's running just a trial or are the 707s now fully cleared for public service?

It was just a "for one day only" deal, mainly so swt could at least pack their bags in the knowledge they had carried some passengers on their shiny new units!

Besides which only 003/005 have been accepted so far.

GW43125 · 19 Aug 2017

707006 + 007 were noted testing through Basingstoke earlier, they were in Clapham Yard by the time I got there around 5.

spark001uk · 20 Aug 2017

As promised. Vid of journey on 2Z31 on Thurs...

[youtube]RvjXs-ekTfk[/youtube]

paok · 20 Aug 2017

From SWR's website:

"What is happening to the Class 707 trains?

They are good trains that we will make use of. However, an important part of delivering the improved efficiency and smooth running of the network relies on having a homogenous fleet so when we have brought in our new trains we expect to cascade the Class 707s out to other parts of the national network, and we are confident there is demand for them elsewhere."

https://www.southwesternrailway.com/contact-and-help/faqs

urpert · 20 Aug 2017

Translation : the leasing company hopes the bidders for Southeastern will accept them along with the 458/5s

(As a daily southeastern user I’d be delighted with that outcome.)

LunchSociety · 20 Aug 2017

urpert said:
Translation : the leasing company hopes the bidders for Southeastern will accept them along with the 458/5s

(As a daily southeastern user Id be delighted with that outcome.)

Since Southeastern have no Desiro stock, I can't see that happening. The new Southeastern bidder will want a homogenous fleet just as much as SWR do.

(As a Southeastern user, I'd be delighted with any new stock)

spark001uk · 20 Aug 2017

I'd like to know how they consider taking on a fleet of 1988 class 442's homogenous!

swt_passenger · 20 Aug 2017

spark001uk said:
I'd like to know how they consider taking on a fleet of 1988 class 442's homogenous!

I suggest by probably looking at the main suburban and all the Windsor side services as a single entity, perhaps because of the out and back services via Kingston, while at the same time ignoring the main fast services as they do not really interact with the future Aventra operated services that much. Mainline services also do not fall into that area highlighted by DfT of unsuitable stock being used on services with high turnover at Clapham Junction.

SpacePhoenix · 20 Aug 2017

Once the SWTs logo is removed from them, will they put a SWR one on or leave them without logos until they're ready to enter service proper?

spark001uk · 20 Aug 2017

SpacePhoenix said:
Once the SWTs logo is removed from them, will they put a SWR one on or leave them without logos until they're ready to enter service proper?

From what I was told by a manager the other day they'll start putting logo stickers over the swt ones, then repaint/vinyl as and when they come to do internal refurbs. I believe there's a photo floating around of one stuck on a 455?

SF-02 · 21 Aug 2017

LunchSociety said:
Since Southeastern have no Desiro stock, I can't see that happening. The new Southeastern bidder will want a homogenous fleet just as much as SWR do.

(As a Southeastern user, I'd be delighted with any new stock)

And 10 car 707 trains on a network now 80% upgraded in recent years to a 12-car one, at a cost of millions, isn't too smart in the mid to long term

urpert · 21 Aug 2017

SF-02 said:
And 10 car 707 trains on a network now 80% upgraded in recent years to a 12-car one, at a cost of millions, isn't too smart in the mid to long term

I know. Im just setting my expectations low as (despite the new stock bonanza in recent franchise awards) it seems nobody wants to spend any money on Southeastern.

Mordac · 21 Aug 2017

SF-02 said:
And 10 car 707 trains on a network now 80% upgraded in recent years to a 12-car one, at a cost of millions, isn't too smart in the mid to long term

I'm sure Siemens could just add a motor car to them, thus solving the other problem with them, their relative lack of grunt.

Kite159 · 21 Aug 2017

Mordac said:
I'm sure Siemens could just add a motor car to them, thus solving the other problem with them, their relative lack of grunt.

Additional Motor Coach (with maybe a toilet) to extend to 6 coaches, so working in pairs works well with the 12-carriage network on SET

spark001uk · 21 Aug 2017

There's already a 6car variant in the 717s so it'd be quite easy to adjust the 707s to match I imagine. And yes, a disabled coach with loo would be the best bet.

absolutelymilk · 21 Aug 2017

Are any 707s in service today?

spark001uk · 21 Aug 2017

absolutelymilk said:
Are any 707s in service today?

Passenger no. Test yes.

Class 707 - SWT: Introduction into service

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