Class 707 - SWT: Introduction into service

[TEW]

0720 Waterloo-Woking and 0817 return reverted to 8-455 on Monday. The stock used to come ECS from Wimbledon Park to Guildford before working the 0558 to Waterloo via Epsom. The stock now comes from the carriage sidings at Guildford. At the moment the main shortage of stabling space is at Woking, where stock was planned to be berthed in the Up Yard which is not ready yet.

 

[D235 Apapa]

0720 Waterloo-Woking and 0817 return reverted to 8-455 on Monday. The stock used to come ECS from Wimbledon Park to Guildford before working the 0558 to Waterloo via Epsom. The stock now comes from the carriage sidings at Guildford. At the moment the main shortage of stabling space is at Woking, where stock was planned to be berthed in the Up Yard which is not ready yet.

That's about the sum of it, except due to lack of space in the Up yard the eventual plan was three roads in the Up (with CET) and three in the Down, with certain restrictions i won't bore you with. But last i heard the whole thing seemed to have stalled, with (allegedly) objections from the current users of both locations - but may be that's still a work in progress?

 

[spark001uk]

That's about the sum of it, except due to lack of space in the Up yard the eventual plan was three roads in the Up (with CET) and three in the Down, with certain restrictions i won't bore you with. But last i heard the whole thing seemed to have stalled, with (allegedly) objections from the current users of both locations - but may be that's still a work in progress?

Talking about a shortage of Stabling space, I noticed this morning some orange suits have been hard at work unearthing the old north siding at Virginia Water, they're not planning on reinstating that are they?

 

[TEW]

That's about the sum of it, except due to lack of space in the Up yard the eventual plan was three roads in the Up (with CET) and three in the Down, with certain restrictions i won't bore you with. But last i heard the whole thing seemed to have stalled, with (allegedly) objections from the current users of both locations - but may be that's still a work in progress?

I'm not entirely sure what's going on. I know the original plan was for sets to be stabled in both the Up and Down yards, but the December 2017 stock workings only show stock stabled in the Up Yard. I haven't seen evidence of any work yet.

 

[HeelBurton]

Talking about a shortage of Stabling space, I noticed this morning some orange suits have been hard at work unearthing the old north siding at Virginia Water, they're not planning on reinstating that are they?

With a plan to run Virginia Water/Weybridge shuttles in the consultation for the timetable beginning December 2018, could be related to that?

A few drives to Reading I did during August they were working there as far as back then.

 

[swt_passenger]

I'm not entirely sure what's going on. I know the original plan was for sets to be stabled in both the Up and Down yards, but the December 2017 stock workings only show stock stabled in the Up Yard. I haven't seen evidence of any work yet.

Just had a look at the 'completed' Network Change Notices on the publicly accessible version of the site, and they refer to an August 2017 application to provide 4 sidings on the up side for use by displaced 455s. Established at end of September.

Perhaps someone could check the internal systems and see if that is still valid? There's a letter in there from GBRf asking for the usual compensation for training costs etc, but no obvious objections.
http://archive.nr.co.uk/browseDirec...Proposals\Wessex\NCG32017WESX003A SSWT Woking

 

[D235 Apapa]

With a plan to run Virginia Water/Weybridge shuttles in the consultation for the timetable beginning December 2018, could be related to that?

A few drives to Reading I did during August they were working there as far as back then.

Guessing that may be for a turnback siding for the Weybridge's? Looking at an old (track) diagram, prior to 1966 there was a link from/to both Chertsey branch plats, London end, in to the Down siding, conflict free from the Down Reading road. That would make sense. Interesting times!

 

[D235 Apapa]

Just had a look at the 'completed' Network Change Notices on the publicly accessible version of the site, and they refer to an August 2017 application to provide 4 sidings on the up side for use by displaced 455s. Established at end of September.

Perhaps someone could check the internal systems and see if that is still valid? There's a letter in there from GBRf asking for the usual compensation for training costs etc, but no obvious objections.
http://archive.nr.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?root=&dir=\network code\Network Change\Completed Proposals\Wessex\NCG32017WESX003A SSWT Woking

One of the concerns early on, was that passenger stock would need to leave the up yard in the 05xx-07xx sort of time span, which is often about the same time that overnight engineering plant is making its way back in to the yard, and with only one access point (via platform 1) there may be issues around this that would need resolving?

 

[GW43125]

Guessing that may be for a turnback siding for the Weybridge's? Looking at an old (track) diagram, prior to 1966 there was a link from/to both Chertsey branch plats, London end, in to the Down siding, conflict free from the Down Reading road. That would make sense. Interesting times!

If this is Virginia Water we're on about, there's now a road bridge stopping you from building such a connection.

 

[D235 Apapa]

If this is Virginia Water we're on about, there's now a road bridge stopping you from building such a connection.

Sorry, may have been a bit too subtle with my 'interesting times' comment!

 

[GW43125]

Sorry, may have been a bit too subtle with my 'interesting times' comment!

There's probably something I should have noticed in that message and if there is, I've missed it completely. I'm tired.

 

[racklam]

There's been at least one diagram on the Hounslow loop this week that's been 2x450. Presumably this is just temporary until the 707 introduction is complete and everything settles down again?

 

[Goldfish62]

There's been at least one diagram on the Hounslow loop this week that's been 2x450. Presumably this is just temporary until the 707 introduction is complete and everything settles down again?

Not necessarily. As has been mentioned there only enough 707s to cover some of the diagrams, not all by any stretch.

 

[TEW]

Hounslow Loop will still see 450s, 455s, 458s and 707s on various services.

 

[traji00]

Aboard 707013 earlier, and it appears someone wasn't happy with the lack of First Class :

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

It seems to me that the 2x2 seating in the 458s are better separated than in the 707s which like the 450s does not offer enough lateral space. So is this a Siemens thing or did the Dft specify the seat width.

 

[43096]

It seems to me that the 2x2 seating in the 458s are better separated than in the 707s which like the 450s does not offer enough lateral space. So is this a Siemens thing or did the Dft specify the seat width.

More a 458 thing. The 458/5 project was conceived and developed by somebody who actually understands how things should be done.

 

[Cletus]

Just passed a 707 delivery at Dollands Moor.

 

[Train Boy]

Does anyone what day 707013 & 707014 entered service and which was their first service, please?

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

More a 458 thing. The 458/5 project was conceived and developed by somebody who actually understands how things should be done.

Thanks for the info, do you have any knowledge of whether the new replacements to be ordered by SWR will be more like the 450s or the 458s with respect to seat separation. I fear that they will not be that good as I have heard that one of the reasons for replacing the 707s is that they do not meet the requites standing capacity so the are hardly likely to give more space to seating although I guess they could by reducing the number of seats.

 

[AverageTD]

08:08 from Staines was a 707 today but I didn't think they ran weekend services. Is it a new Saturday diagram or a one off?

 

[TEW]

They are regularly working weekend services now.

 

[JonathanH]

They are regularly working weekend services now.

Yes, lots of 707s out today including 707013 and 707014. 458s on Reading services as well.

Staines to Windsor shut today and replaced by buses. Windsor trains run empty from Staines to Weybridge and form next Weybridge to Waterloo via Hounslow service so four services interworking today - means 5/8/10-car trains are allocated a bit randomly on the 'Windsor lines' today.

Also, a fair few 455+456 combinations on the suburban side of Waterloo.

 

[WWTownEnth]

How many units are now delivered and how many are in service?

 

[43096]

Just passed a 707 delivery at Dollands Moor.

707015/016 reported as the sticky digits.

 

[JonathanH]

How many units are now delivered and how many are in service?

Something like

707003-14/23/5-9 (18) in service
707001/2 (2) commissioning
707015/6 (2) on delivery
707017-22/4/30 (8) to come

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

I traveled on 2 single set 5 car 707s yesterday. On the first the PIS was reading "This train is not in service do not board" and the PIS was turned off on the 2nd service. This was the first time I have traveled on single 5 car units was it a coincidence that the PISs always worked previously on the 10 car double sets or is it a software issue.

 

[WWTownEnth]

 

[AverageTD]

Something like

707003-14/23/5-9 (18) in service
707001/2 (2) commissioning
707015/6 (2) on delivery
707017-22/4/30 (8) to come

How many of these would be out on weekday services then?

 

[Sean Emmett]

If this is Virginia Water we're on about, there's now a road bridge stopping you from building such a connection.

I don't agree.

There would appear to be space to reach a turnback siding. This would be useful to keep the platforms free for the odd freight and special, and essential during diversions.

Orange army have been cutting back vegetation, presumably for a site survey?

IIRC the extension to the sub-station was kept clear of formation of the siding. A rare example of joined up thinking?