Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

[800001]

Official publication date was today, but my copy arrived in Monday's post. The article doesn't add anything we don't know already. "Poised" to undertake a soft launch "some time" in December, "it is now thought" that a single unit will run off peak on the Windsor route.

The only new information is that "it is now thought" that SWR is changing its plans for the refurbished 458s, although where they will be used if not the Portsmoyuth line is not suggested.

But what do they know? In the same issue the Crossword requires one of the answers to be "SMOWPLOUGH" (there is no "N" in the anagram for the intersecting clue) and captions one of TfWs new tram-trains as a "Class 358")

bit of a misleading comment then for the front cover, I interpret that as they have entered traffic.

 

[Samzino]

Had some time to scan thru some videos looking for the weight of a 701/0(10Car Unit)

Probably some meaningless data but hey at least it shows a 10car 701 is 26% lighter than an 8 Car Class 450.
Used this video(Credits to him) and with several hundred button mashing's of the K key managed to get some data off the in between carriage Vehicle Data label:

Total Weight Of 701/0 = 347.0 t
Total Length Of 701/0 = 203.11 m
Width = 2.77 m

10 Car Train (34.7 Tons Per Average A Car)

Vs

Total Weight Of 450/0 = 351.42 t
Total Length Of 450/0 = 163.2 m
Width = 2.796 m

8 Car Train (43.9275 Tons Per Average A Car)

Class 450 Is 26% More Heavier On Average

 

[pokemonsuper9]

and with several hundred button mashing's of the K key managed to get some data off the in between carriage Vehicle Data label:

By the way you can go frame by frame through YouTube videos by using the . (backwards) and , (forwards).

 

[Samzino]

By the way you can go frame by frame through YouTube videos by using the . (backwards) and , (forwards).

Dang that would have saved me the pain Thanks I'll remember that now.

 

[Fazaar1889]

Came out today.

Thanks

Official publication date was today, but my copy arrived in Monday's post. The article doesn't add anything we don't know already. "Poised" to undertake a soft launch "some time" in December, "it is now thought" that a single unit will run off peak on the Windsor route.

The only new information is that "it is now thought" that SWR is changing its plans for the refurbished 458s, although where they will be used if not the Portsmoyuth line is not suggested.

But what do they know? In the same issue the Crossword requires one of the answers to be "SMOWPLOUGH" (there is no "N" in the anagram for the intersecting clue) and captions one of TfWs new tram-trains as a "Class 358")

Thanks

bit of a misleading comment then for the front cover, I interpret that as they have entered traffic.

Most likely just bait

 

[Goldfish62]

Perhaps it would be for the best if the 701s were diverted to Southeastern where I'm sure they'd be well received in place of the bulk of the Networkers. Get the 707s back in part-compensation and wait until the South Western is actually capable of introducing new trains in the future, because it clearly isn't now!

 

[Purple Train]

Official publication date was today, but my copy arrived in Monday's post. The article doesn't add anything we don't know already. "Poised" to undertake a soft launch "some time" in December, "it is now thought" that a single unit will run off peak on the Windsor route.

The only new information is that "it is now thought" that SWR is changing its plans for the refurbished 458s, although where they will be used if not the Portsmoyuth line is not suggested.

But what do they know? In the same issue the Crossword requires one of the answers to be "SMOWPLOUGH" (there is no "N" in the anagram for the intersecting clue) and captions one of TfWs new tram-trains as a "Class 358")

Ironic, as, in the Stop and Examine errata, it includes an apology for an incorrect anagram for Nota Bene! They do have a lot of vacancies at the moment, so hopefully the standard will pick up again when they have a new team in place.

 

[MCR247]

Perhaps it would be for the best if the 701s were diverted to Southeastern where I'm sure they'd be well received in place of the bulk of the Networkers. Get the 707s back in part-compensation and wait until the South Western is actually capable of introducing new trains in the future, because it clearly isn't now!

I’m not sure that’d really solve anything

 

[Samzino]

Perhaps it would be for the best if the 701s were diverted to Southeastern where I'm sure they'd be well received in place of the bulk of the Networkers. Get the 707s back in part-compensation and wait until the South Western is actually capable of introducing new trains in the future, because it clearly isn't now!

Not after they're whole reasoning was that 707s were expensive to lease.

 

[norbitonflyer]

2U91 and 2U92 now shown on RTT (Q-coded) all next week (Mon-Fri)

 

[JonathanH]

2U91 and 2U92 now shown on RTT (Q-coded) all next week (Mon-Fri)

Looks like hedging bets on a possible run.

 

[Snow1964]

2U91 and 2U92 now shown on RTT (Q-coded) all next week (Mon-Fri)

More evidence the modern railway, forgets about those that travel at weekends. Clearly launches are still a 10-3 Monday-Friday job

 

[JonathanH]

More evidence the modern railway, forgets about those that travel at weekends. Clearly launches are still a 10-3 Monday-Friday job

Huh? I'm not sure that it is being run fir the primary benefit of any passengers who want to turn up. It would seem more important to fit with the availability of relevant staff who work weekdays.

 

[hwl]

Huh? I'm not sure that it is being run fir the primary benefit of any passengers who want to turn up. It would seem more important to fit with the availability of relevant staff who work weekdays.

Middle of weekdays also reduces the number of potential passsengers. You don't want too many people on board if it all goes wrong.

 

[Robin Procter]

More evidence the modern railway, forgets about those that travel at weekends.

.... Re train timetables : Less demand and so less viable commercially? The basic commercial principle of supply and demand. Are the weekend timetables busier in the summer season? Branch lines miss out every day of the week.

bit of a misleading comment then for the front cover, I interpret that as they have entered traffic.

.... Re magazine timetables : Journalists, eh? They like to primarily design covers/front pages to display info which encourages sales of a publication. Magazine production is extremely competitive.

Also, don't forget that any magazine will be signed off and gone to press before it becomes publicly available and so they are potentially never quite up to date. Doubtless they will have been convinced, rightly or wrongly, that the 701s really are about to be launched or happy to take the gamble.

 

[norbitonflyer]

More evidence the modern railway, forgets about those that travel at weekends. Clearly launches are still a 10-3 Monday-Friday job

They prudently choose a time when it is quiet, and technical assistance most likely to be avaialable, in case something goes wrong. Indeed, I was surprised to see that both Classes 720/6 and 730 were launched on peak-hour services.

 

[Purple Train]

.... Re magazine timetables : Journalists, eh? They like to primarily design covers/front pages to display info which encourages sales of a publication. Magazine production is extremely competitive.

Also, don't forget that any magazine will be signed off and gone to press before it becomes publicly available and so they are potentially never quite up to date. Doubtless they will have been convinced, rightly or wrongly, that the 701s really are about to be launched or happy to take the gamble.

And/or have been convinced that the launch date will be while the issue is in circulation, possibly (which would tally with the various plans, given the current issue of RAIL is in circulation until Boxing Day). Or possibly just a typing error, given the state of the rest of the magazine!

All that aside, SWR do seem to want to push the boundaries of "soft launch" quite far. This is understandable given what a mess it has been getting them into service, but no good for a spotter! Is there any way of telling more than two hours in advance that the 701 path might run on a given day?

 

[Goldfish62]

More evidence the modern railway, forgets about those that travel at weekends. Clearly launches are still a 10-3 Monday-Friday job

But that's exactly what SWT did with the 707s and going back even further the 458.

I’m not sure that’d really solve anything

Frustration with the whole situation. It feels that SWR has barriers to introducing new trains that are not faced elsewhere. The crowning glory being lack of agreement on a training programme.

 

[norbitonflyer]

This is understandable given what a mess it has been getting them into service, but no good for a spotter! Is there any way of telling more than two hours in advance that the 701 path might run on a given day?

This is SWR, who are qiute capable of cancelling a train part way through its journey!

Unless and until it leaves Wimbledon Park sidings at 0953 (or thereabouts) on the day in question (whenever that might be) I'm not going to make any plans - and even then it might not happen if they suddenly discover the doors don't work for farepaying passengers, or such like.

 

[amazon1675]

Anyone identify the 5 car units out on test on the 13th please?

 

[Goldfish62]

This is SWR, who are qiute capable of cancelling a train part way through its journey!

Unless and until it leaves Wimbledon Park sidings at 0953 (or thereabouts) on the day in question (whenever that might be) I'm not going to make any plans - and even then it might not happen if they suddenly discover the doors don't work for farepaying passengers, or such like.

Well yes. I sometimes find that that the train I was intending to catch vanishes in the 5 min walk from home to station so as you say anything is possible!

Fortunately for me I've got three days next week where I can make a last minute dash in case it really is running!

 

[lewisf]

The 10:26 5Q31 Waterloo to Windsor is now running with senior SWR staff on board. Not open to the public.

 

[swr444]

the "test" service to windsor is running currently, it replaced the path of 2U91 which was posted on here

Realtime Trains | 5Q31 1026½ London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside | 14/12/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q31 1026½ departure from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside on 14/12/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[The_Train]

the "test" service to windsor is running currently, it replaced the path of 2U91 which was posted on here

Realtime Trains | 5Q31 1026½ London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside | 14/12/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q31 1026½ departure from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside on 14/12/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Anybody know what is working this please?

 

[SWT_USER]

Huh? I'm not sure that it is being run fir the primary benefit of any passengers who want to turn up. It would seem more important to fit with the availability of relevant staff who work weekdays.

Heaven forbid trains should be run for the benefit of passengers!

Good to see today's test running. I know there is lots of conflicting information on here about what has/ has not been agreed but it does feel like some slow progress is being made towards a proper introduction to service.

 

[StewartStag]

5Q12 Worksop to Derby today was 47727 and 701005

 

[Meerkat]

Had some time to scan thru some videos looking for the weight of a 701/0(10Car Unit)

Probably some meaningless data but hey at least it shows a 10car 701 is 26% lighter than an 8 Car Class 450.
Used this video(Credits to him) and with several hundred button mashing's of the K key managed to get some data off the in between carriage Vehicle Data label:

Total Weight Of 701/0 = 347.0 t
Total Length Of 701/0 = 203.11 m
Width = 2.77 m

10 Car Train (34.7 Tons Per Average A Car)

Vs

Total Weight Of 450/0 = 351.42 t
Total Length Of 450/0 = 163.2 m
Width = 2.796 m

8 Car Train (43.9275 Tons Per Average A Car)

Class 450 Is 26% More Heavier On Average

You might think they would have made the "do not board" door blocking banners a bright colour......

 

[traji00]

Update from RMT.

ROLE OF THE GUARD & EXTENSION OF DOO – SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

www.rmt.org.uk

Further to my previous correspondence with regards to the above matter, I can now advise you that an emergency meeting has been held with the company and our Guards & Retail Company Council and I have received an update report from the Lead Officer, together with a final/amended DCO Guards principles document and a rewritten DCO Rail Operator principles document.

The Lead Officer reports that amendments have been made to the Guards document and that the Rail Operator principles have been rewritten and are now a shadow of the Guards document. The Lead Officer also reports that the company has confirmed that the DOO(NP)/ECS within the principles will not have any effect on the ongoing discussions outside of the 701 project and that this is only agreed for the soft launch. The Lead Officer and our Reps believe that the documents should be agreed for the soft launch and reviewed 4-6 weeks into the soft launch and before the 701 comes into full service.

The matter has been subject to recent consideration by the union’s National Executive Committee who note the report from the Lead Officer and the updated documents provided. The Executive Committee are encouraged to see efforts being made by the company to ensure some level of consistency throughout the principles documents for the grades affected and it is the view of the Executive Committee that they can be agreed on a provisional basis for the duration of the ‘Soft Launch’ of the 701 stock.

Further, this agreement will be subject to review throughout this period and update reports will be placed back before the National Executive Committee as appropriate. Additionally, a meeting is to be arranged between the Lead Officer and relevant Representatives at such a time as the reviews are to be completed so as to allow thorough consideration to a permanent agreement.

 

[Robin Procter]

Anyone identify the 5 car units out on test on the 13th please?

.... I can only identify a 10-car unit 701 523 leading and with 701 525 on the tail which I photographed yesterday December 13th coming into Eastleigh as Test train 5Q51 and whose path had been "partially cancelled" according to RTT.

Don't ask me what the carriage numbers etc were - I'm a photographer not a train spotter. Obviously both these photos were taken by myself as the watermark label shows.

 

[800001]

Update from RMT.

ROLE OF THE GUARD & EXTENSION OF DOO – SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

www.rmt.org.uk

Date I’ve heard from an insider based on above is December 21st x 4 sets

.... I can only identify a 10-car unit 701 523 leading with 525 on the tail which I photographed yesterday December 13th coming into Eastleigh as Test train 5Q51 and whose path had been "partially cancelled" according to RTT.

Don't ask me what the carriage numbers etc were - I'm a photographer not a train spotter. Obviously both these photos were taken by myself as the watermark label shows.

View attachment 148526

View attachment 148527

Believe it was 701525.