Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway: progress updates

[The_Train]

Is there even much point in this thread still being open at the moment? No progress is being made and I'm personally sick of getting thread alerts just for the same "this is such a shambles" comments, I don't know about anyone else

Click "unwatch" and you won't get the alerts

 

[OneTrackMinded]

To return to the topic, am I right in thinking Elinor's announcements are being gradually introduced on the 701s?

I’m aware that when the trains first did their “soft launch” it was reported that the announcements would eventually be replaced, but nothing since. Are they finally being rolled out?

 

[DMckduck]

But I do actually want to know when there's been an update to the topic at hand, believe it or not, as is I'm sure why the feature was introduced? That said, I'm going to only cause alerts for others myself now by staying on this, so I won't labour the point further.

To return to the topic, am I right in thinking Elinor's announcements are being gradually introduced on the 701s?

They have always been on the pre recorded announcements, that are activated from the cabs.

The general PIS voice is still the robotic one.

 

[swtrains]

Today's testing is on the Woking line:

5T91 - Clapham Yard - Clapham Yard - Goes to Woking, then Guildford, reverses, heads up to Surbiton, reverses, goes back to Woking, reverses and heads back to the Yard.

Same path today

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q32902/2025-02-25/detailed

 

[lewisf]

Truly astonishing how there’s been absolutely no progress with the introduction for almost 2 months

I should be astonished, but I'm not. I've given up hope for any progress in the foreseeable future. I simply cannot see full introduction of the 701s ever happening on SWR now. Quite what happens instead, I have no idea!

Mass rollout will not be happening under SWR. Hopefully Great British Railways knock some heads together and get these units rolled out when they take over.

Not sure I can take another boiling hot summer on the 455s, especially when we were promised that brand new air conditioned trains would be rolling out in 2019.

 

[Wyrleybart]

They're not that new - they are five years old (and most have been sitting in a Warwickshire field for most of that time)

As well as those parked up next to those salty estuaries - Eastleigh and Marchwood. Can't imagine the damp cold salty air will have improved them, unless those at Eastleigh have been stood on the 750V DC. Any warm storage at Long Marston ?

 

[NSEWonderer]

Realtime Trains | 5J92 0707 London Waterloo to Surbiton | 26/02/2025

Real-time train running information for 5J92 0707 departure from London Waterloo to Surbiton on 26/02/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

London Waterloo To Hampton Court and then back to Surbiton

701043

 

[norbitonflyer]

Realtime Trains | 5J92 0707 London Waterloo to Surbiton | 26/02/2025

Real-time train running information for 5J92 0707 departure from London Waterloo to Surbiton on 26/02/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

London Waterloo To Hampton Court and then back to Surbiton

701043

That diagram has been running since October. It isd a positioning move for 2J92 (0752 Surbiton to Waterloo).
Still no sign of the two new Shepperton diagrams supposed to be starting this month

 

[3973EXL]

701023

Realtime Trains | 5Q75 0920 Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston | 26/02/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q75 0920 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston on 26/02/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Invincible]

Mass rollout will not be happening under SWR. Hopefully Great British Railways knock some heads together and get these units rolled out when they take over.

Not sure I can take another boiling hot summer on the 455s, especially when we were promised that brand new air conditioned trains would be rolling out in 2019.

Would be good to get the Windsor line 100% 701.
Stuart Meek, Interim Managing Director of South Western Railway did say on camera (BBC South) he will get 10 more 701 units introduced before summer.
Currently it is not certain if he will go back to First when DfT take over.
The GBR transition team on its website say they are working on procedures and setting up it's HQ, so there is no date when they will take over managing SWR.

 

[Nogoohwell]

It will be DfT OLR that will take over in the interim.
Regardless of whether its SWR or OLR, they both dance to the tune of DfT and treasury. Can’t see anything changing.

It’s been so quiet from both Alstom and SWR recently on the 701’s got to wonder if there are legal/compensation discussions going on behind the scenes as the extended lease & maintenance on the 455’s has to be paid by someone.

We know Rock Rail is being paid for the 701’s and DfT will not be happy about paying for two fleets.

Surprised no one has sent a FOI request into the DfT to find out WTF is going on.

 

[DMckduck]

Would be good to get the Windsor line 100% 701.
Stuart Meek, Interim Managing Director of South Western Railway did say on camera (BBC South) he will get 10 more 701 units introduced before summer.
Currently it is not certain if he will go back to First when DfT take over.
The GBR transition team on its website say they are working on procedures and setting up it's HQ, so there is no date when they will take over managing SWR.

Did he say diagrams or units? Getting 10 units into service when we currently only have 6 wouldn't be impressive.

10 diagrams isn't happening, we are now 2 months behind on driver training which will have a knock on effect for the whole rollout.

We will be lucky to see 10 new diagrams by the end of the year in my opinion.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

It will be DfT OLR that will take over in the interim.
Regardless of whether its SWR or OLR, they both dance to the tune of DfT and treasury. Can’t see anything changing.

It’s been so quiet from both Alstom and SWR recently on the 701’s got to wonder if there are legal/compensation discussions going on behind the scenes as the extended lease & maintenance on the 455’s has to be paid by someone.

We know Rock Rail is being paid for the 701’s and DfT will not be happy about paying for two fleets.

Surprised no one has sent a FOI request into the DfT to find out WTF is going on.

Really wish rail journalists/publications did in-depth investigations into issues on the railway like mainstream news does. They’re all too anxious of making enemies with the companies responsible I assume

 

[Lockwood]

Wasn't there a FoI... some time ago... it's all a blur now, and the result was a heavily redacted version due to commercial sensitivity?

Or am I thinking of something else?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

we are now 2 months behind on driver training which will have a knock on effect for the whole rollout.

Is the driver training still suspended?

...and yes, I think he means the number of units approved for use will rise by ten, whereas the number of diagrams will remain as it is...

 

[Invincible]

Wasn't there a FoI... some time ago... it's all a blur now, and the result was a heavily redacted version due to commercial sensitivity?

Or am I thinking of something else?

Cost of delayed Arterio train fleet withheld by government

Transport officials refuse to reveal the cost of trains that are more than four years overdue.

www.bbc.co.uk

9 February 2024 Cost of delayed Arterio train fleet withheld by government (DfT)

 

[wickham]

Ref Post 12449 regarding stored units: Those at Eastleigh are indeed on electrified sidings but I don't know if they are cut in or not, the marker/tail lights are usually on, so perhaps they are, these units do seem to change around so are not always the same units. I don't really think Eastleigh suffers from salty air as it is quite some miles from the sea - Marchwood is a completely different situation as it is right on the sea (all be it a salt water estury) and these units do not get changed around, so are probably rotting away ! When the first units were sent to Marchwood it was reported that "a man in a van" would attend regularly to liven them up, but I don't know if this actually happens. It is worth noting that those units sent to Machwood in early 2023 all returned in mid 2024 to be replaced by a second batch, so these might be due for a change-over soon.

 

[boiledbeans2]

Would be good to get the Windsor line 100% 701.
Stuart Meek, Interim Managing Director of South Western Railway did say on camera (BBC South) he will get 10 more 701 units introduced before summer.
[...]

All together now, let's ask him... "Which summer?"

 

[norbitonflyer]

So according to their website, this is the rollout plan. A bit confused by their proposals here, are these proposed diagrams only going to run at peak times, apart from the Windsor ones?

Train #	EIS date	Key areas served	Peak and key services
1-5	23 September - 25 November	Windsor Shepperton Surbiton	38 x Windsor services 10 x Shepperton services 1 x Surbiton service
6	December 2024	Shepperton Strawberry Hill Windsor & Eton Riverside	0543 Teddington - Waterloo 0642 Waterloo - Shepperton 0741 Shepperton - Waterloo 0842 Waterloo - Shepperton 1642 Waterloo - Shepperton 1741 Shepperton - Waterloo 1842 Waterloo - Shepperton
7	February 2025	Kingston Shepperton	0640 Kingston - Waterloo 0711 Shepperton - Waterloo 0812 Waterloo - Shepperton 0911 Shepperton - Waterloo 1612 Waterloo - Shepperton 1711 Shepperton - Waterloo 1812 Waterloo - Shepperton
8	February 2025	Shepperton Hounslow Loop	0615 Waterloo - Shepperton 0730 Shepperton - Waterloo 0845 Waterloo - Waterloo via Hounslow 1707 Waterloo - Waterloo via Richmond 1843 Waterloo - Shepperton
9	March 2025 - first trains to/from Epsom and Guildford	Epsom Hampton Court Guildford	0617 Epsom – Waterloo 0706 Waterloo – Hampton Court 0753 Hampton Court – Waterloo 0854 Waterloo – Guildford via Epsom 1706 Waterloo – Hampton Court 1754 Hampton Court – Waterloo 1854 Waterloo – Guildford via Epsom
10	March 2025 - first trains to/from Dorking	Dorking Epsom Hampton Court Guildford	0659 Dorking – Waterloo 0806 Waterloo – Hampton Court 0853 Hampton Court – Waterloo 1625 Guildford – Waterloo via Epsom 1806 Waterloo – Hampton Court 1854 Hampton Court- Waterloo
11	March 2025	Hounslow Loop Kingston Loop	0530 Waterloo – Waterloo via Richmond 0657 Waterloo – Waterloo via Kingston 0830 Waterloo – Waterloo via Richmond 1730 Waterloo – Waterloo via Richmond 1857 Waterloo – Waterloo via Kingston
12	April 2025	Staines Shepperton Strawberry Hill	0453 Staines – Waterloo 0557 Waterloo – Shepperton 0700 Shepperton – Waterloo 0813 Waterloo – Strawberry Hill via Twickenham 1801 Strawberry Hill – Waterloo via Twickenham 1845 Waterloo – Hounslow
13	May 2025 - first trains to/from Chessington South	Dorking Hampton Court Chessington South	0624 Waterloo – Dorking 0730 Dorking – Waterloo 0836 Waterloo – Hampton Court 0923 Hampton Court – Waterloo 1636 Waterloo – Hampton Court 1724 Hampton Court – Waterloo 1809 Waterloo – Guildford via Epsom 2300 Waterloo – Chessington South 2342 Chessington South - Waterloo
14	June 2025	Hounslow Loop Kingston Loop	0600 Waterloo – Waterloo via Richmond 0727 Waterloo – Waterloo via Kingston 0900 Waterloo – Waterloo via Richmond 1627 Waterloo – Waterloo via Kingston 1800 Waterloo – Waterloo via Richmond
15	June 2025 - first trains to/from Reading	Reading Ascot	0526 Waterloo – Reading 0709 Reading – Waterloo 1607 Waterloo - Waterloo via Hounslow 1750 Waterloo – Reading

Well, here we are at the end of February and not a sniff of a 701 on either of Diagrams 7 and 8

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Feb 2025 ==

The press release says 1 in December 2024, 2 in February 2025, 3 in March 2025, 1 in April 2025, 1 in May 2025, 2 in June 2025 which seems a lot more achievable.

Oh, how optimistic we were three months ago............

 

[Goldfish62]

The GBR transition team on its website say they are working on procedures and setting up it's HQ, so there is no date when they will take over managing SWR.

GBRTT will have no involvement in SWR. SWR is being taken over by DfT Operator Ltd, which in the turn will be taken over by GBR when that's formed in a few year's time. At that stage SWR will cease to exist altogether.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Oh, how optimistic we were three months ago............

Even then some people were remarking how slow the planned rollout was, but SWR has, as usual, given us one better and made it completely non-existent

 

[DMckduck]

Well, here we are at the end of February and not a sniff of a 701 on either of Diagrams 7 and 8

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Feb 2025 ==


Oh, how optimistic we were three months ago............

And in true SWR fashion it will be brushed under the carpet.

 

[SWT_USER]

And in true SWR fashion it will be brushed under the carpet.

Probably gearing up for another PR launch to give management a day out the office.

 

[DMckduck]

Probably gearing up for another PR launch to give management a day out the office.

I'm sure when the new financial year comes around there will be enough time and budget between then and franchise change to get another all expenses paid event in.

 

[Elorith]

Interesting that the former head for this project seems to have got himself a new job.

Gregg Evans ACIRO - London, England, United Kingdom | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

Location: London · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Gregg Evans ACIRO’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.

www.linkedin.com

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Interesting that the former head for this project seems to have got himself a new job.

Gregg Evans ACIRO - London, England, United Kingdom | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

Location: London · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Gregg Evans ACIRO’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.

www.linkedin.com

None of the usual "we're sorry you're leaving" posts so I wonder under what circumstances this occurred

 

[DelW]

Interesting that the former head for this project seems to have got himself a new job.

Gregg Evans ACIRO - London, England, United Kingdom | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

Location: London · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Gregg Evans ACIRO’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.

www.linkedin.com

Since viewing the linked article would need me to sign up to LinkedIn (which I have no intention of doing), would it be possible to say what his new job involves? A quote (as per forum rules) would be useful.

If he was in any way responsible for the utter fiasco of the 701s, I'd want to stay as far away as possible from whatever he's doing in his new role.

 

[Goldfish62]

Since viewing the linked article would need me to sign up to LinkedIn (which I have no intention of doing), would it be possible to say what his new job involves? A quote (as per forum rules) would be useful.

Programme Director, Network Performance Board, DfT Operator.

Clearly a move up the ladder, I'd say.

 

[SWT_USER]

Programme Director, Network Performance Board, DfT Operator.

Clearly a move up the ladder, I'd say.

Failing upwards then.

If it were me I'd leave it off my CV and say I'd been in prison rather than being associated with this fiasco.

 

[DelW]

Programme Director, Network Performance Board, DfT Operator.

Clearly a move up the ladder, I'd say.

Wow. Just how badly do you have to do your job in the railway industry to actually be demoted?

I'd have though late-night toilet cleaner at Waterloo would have been a more suitable position. How many millions of pounds of taxpayers' money has this programme wasted, and now he gets the chance to do it all again?