Journeys on SWR: trying to avoid 701s

[Class15]

Moderator note: Split from

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

Here is a list of the deliveries and testing info to date: 701001 701002 delivered to Eastleigh on 10 June 2020; testing under way; returned to Worksop for completion on 10 November 2020 701003 701004 delivered to Wimbledon on 30 June 2020; stored at Marchwood 701005 delivered to Eastleigh...

www.railforums.co.uk

You're very welcome and thanks much for posting.

So for those wishing to catch 701s, the following departures from Waterloo should be booked 701 from the timetable change:

00:01 Strawberry Hill via Richmond
05:30 Teddington via Richmond
05:57 Shepperton via Richmond
06:00 Teddington via Richmond
06:15 Shepperton via Richmond
06:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
06:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
07:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
07:06 Hampton Court
07:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
08:06 Hampton Court
08:12 Shepperton via Kingston
08:13 Strawberry Hill via Richmond
08:30 Teddington via Richmond
08:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
08:45 Hounslow via Richmond
08:54 Guildford via Epsom
09:00 Teddington via Richmond
09:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
09:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
09:54 Guildford via Epsom
09:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
10:12 Shepperton via Kingston
10:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
11:30 Teddington via Richmond
11:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
12:00 Teddington via Richmond
12:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
12:06 Hampton Court
12:12 Shepperton via Kingston
12:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
13:06 Hampton Court
13:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
13:54 Guildford via Epsom
14:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
14:12 Shepperton via Kingston
14:30 Teddington via Richmond
14:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
14:54 Guildford via Epsom
15:00 Teddington via Richmond
15:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
15:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
16:12 Shepperton via Kingston
16:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
16:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
17:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
17:06 Hampton Court
17:07 Hounslow via Brentford
17:30 Teddington via Richmond
18:00 Teddington via Richmond
18:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
18:06 Hampton Court
18:07 Twickenham via Brentford
18:12 Shepperton via Kingston
18:43 Shepperton via Richmond
18:45 Hounslow via Richmond
18:54 Guildford via Epsom
18:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
19:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
19:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
19:54 Guildford via Epsom
20:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
20:12 Shepperton via Kingston
20:30 Teddington via Richmond
20:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
20:42 Shepperton via Kingston
21:00 Teddington via Richmond
21:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
22:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
22:06 Hampton Court
22:12 Shepperton via Kingston
22:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
22:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
22:42 Shepperton via Kingston
23:00 Teddington via Richmond
23:06 Hampton Court

Thank you! I was hoping for a list of departures to avoid so that’s of great help!

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Thank you! I was hoping for a list of departures to avoid so that’s of great help!

This post seems to prove AM9’s post #1452 in the 2024 stock thread where he says:

Many RUK posters are the epitome of resistance to change enthusiasts

 

[Class15]

This post seems to prove AM9’s post #1452 in the 2024 stock thread where he says:

Sorry? Are you actively saying that I should change my opinions on rolling stock just to please others on the forum?

I prefer 455s so I will take the trains not on that list. What’s the issue with that?

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Sorry? Are you actively saying that I should change my opinions on rolling stock just to please others on the forum?

I prefer 455s so I will take the trains not on that list. What’s the issue with that?

Not directly saying that but I believe it makes an interesting point as was AM9s intention that enthusiasts on here don’t represent general passenger opinion and therefore their opinions should not be used to gauge the success of something. I hope you can at least recognise your opinion is held by no average commuter which are the main customer for the railways.

 

[Class15]

Not directly saying that but I believe it makes an interesting point as was AM9s intention that enthusiasts on here don’t represent general passenger opinion and therefore their opinions should not be used to gauge the success of something.

Yes, I agree that I don’t represent SWR passenger opinion, as I don’t use it all the time and when I do, it’s not in the peaks. I’m not gauging the success of the 701s, obviously they are very badly regarded by various SWR commuters I know (who are not enthusiasts) but that has nothing to do with how good they are, people seem very frustrated by how they can see them sitting in sidings and can’t actually use them, which isn’t the train’s fault clearly. I think the 701s are perfectly good trains and I will know doubt grow to like them, but the 455s have ‘nostalgia value’.

 

[Meglos]

You're very welcome and thanks much for posting.

So for those wishing to catch 701s, the following departures from Waterloo should be booked 701 from the timetable change:

00:01 Strawberry Hill via Richmond
05:30 Teddington via Richmond
05:57 Shepperton via Richmond
06:00 Teddington via Richmond
06:15 Shepperton via Richmond
06:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
06:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
07:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
07:06 Hampton Court
07:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
08:06 Hampton Court
08:12 Shepperton via Kingston
08:13 Strawberry Hill via Richmond
08:30 Teddington via Richmond
08:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
08:45 Hounslow via Richmond
08:54 Guildford via Epsom
09:00 Teddington via Richmond
09:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
09:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
09:54 Guildford via Epsom
09:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
10:12 Shepperton via Kingston
10:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
11:30 Teddington via Richmond
11:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
12:00 Teddington via Richmond
12:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
12:06 Hampton Court
12:12 Shepperton via Kingston
12:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
13:06 Hampton Court
13:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
13:54 Guildford via Epsom
14:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
14:12 Shepperton via Kingston
14:30 Teddington via Richmond
14:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
14:54 Guildford via Epsom
15:00 Teddington via Richmond
15:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
15:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
16:12 Shepperton via Kingston
16:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
16:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
17:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
17:06 Hampton Court
17:07 Hounslow via Brentford
17:30 Teddington via Richmond
18:00 Teddington via Richmond
18:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
18:06 Hampton Court
18:07 Twickenham via Brentford
18:12 Shepperton via Kingston
18:43 Shepperton via Richmond
18:45 Hounslow via Richmond
18:54 Guildford via Epsom
18:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
19:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
19:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
19:54 Guildford via Epsom
20:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
20:12 Shepperton via Kingston
20:30 Teddington via Richmond
20:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
20:42 Shepperton via Kingston
21:00 Teddington via Richmond
21:57 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
22:03 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
22:06 Hampton Court
22:12 Shepperton via Kingston
22:27 Strawberry Hill via Kingston
22:33 Windsor & Eton Riverside via Richmond
22:42 Shepperton via Kingston
23:00 Teddington via Richmond
23:06 Hampton Court

Surely the 23:00 departure is the 2M71 which is the only 701 service to Chessington South.

 

[swtrains]

Thank you! I was hoping for a list of departures to avoid so that’s of great help!

Enjoy sweating in the summer.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Not directly saying that but I believe it makes an interesting point as was AM9s intention that enthusiasts on here don’t represent general passenger opinion and therefore their opinions should not be used to gauge the success of something. I hope you can at least recognise your opinion is held by no average commuter which are the main customer for the railways.

Agreed. For those within the industry, past (and present no doubt), many of whom had/have an 'enthusiast' background, events of a bigger picture nature will often override an individual's personal interests in this or that aspect of the industry, be it a favourite type of loco or unit etc.
If higher authority dictates a change in circumstances, which will result in the withdrawal of certain traction types (just one example), then those individuals involved in that process as a result of their job position have two options; they either do as is required of them in relation to the overall business plan, or they don't. If they choose the latter option, they will likely find themselves out of a job and replaced by someone who will do 'as required'.
Regrettably the 'enthusiast' side of things does come with a degree of rose tinted opinions, possibly more so in the railway (enthusiast) market than other enthusiast areas (aircraft/buses), both which I have had a limited involvement with, hence my comment.
But this is going OT, so I apologise (again) to all, before I get another slap on the wrist.

 

[Class15]

Let me be clear, I want the 455s replaced in the interest of change and an upgrade to passengers. I’m very sorry if my post came out in the wrong way, but I’d like to take a few more 455s (and to an extent 458s) in the summer before they are withdrawn so I’m avoiding the 701 diagrams. I’m sure they are great units and I look forward to trying more (I have already taken one and thought it was quite nice) but right now I want to take a few more of the old stock.

@Big Jumby 74 I don’t work in the industry and if I did I would advocate for the introduction of 701s as superior units. I am seeing this situation from a personal standpoint not an industry one.

@swtrains I guess I will have to enjoy sweating as much as I can in that case : ) but I won’t take many 455s at all. I will likely only be on the SW network a couple of times.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Agreed. For those within the industry, past (and present no doubt), many of whom had/have an 'enthusiast' background, events of a bigger picture nature will often override an individual's personal interests in this or that aspect of the industry, be it a favourite type of loco or unit etc.
If higher authority dictates a change in circumstances, which will result in the withdrawal of certain traction types (just one example), then those individuals involved in that process as a result of their job position have two options; they either do as is required of them in relation to the overall business plan, or they don't. If they choose the latter option, they will likely find themselves out of a job and replaced by someone who will do 'as required'.
Regrettably the 'enthusiast' side of things does come with a degree of rose tinted opinions, possibly more so in the railway (enthusiast) market than other enthusiast areas (aircraft/buses), both which I have had a limited involvement with, hence my comment.
But this is going OT, so I apologise (again) to all, before I get another slap on the wrist.

It was ever thus.

And if I had been working on the Western Region in the mid 1970s I would have been risking a disciplinary (so to speak) - all those lovely Hydraulics gone to waste !.
I will miss the 455s but progress is progress and the 701s are quite nice inside

 

[NSEWonderer]

I've always had Reading passengers express their displeasure seeing me pull up in a 455, especially this week

458/4s and 701s couldn't come any sooner, more so for the driving performance and lack of traction specfic speed restrictions.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

@Big Jumby 74 I don’t work in the industry and if I did I would advocate for the introduction of 701s as superior units. I am seeing this situation from a personal standpoint not an industry one.

Please don't take my comments personally, as I only speak from my own personal/professional involvement in the industry.

 

[Nimbus020]

I've always had Reading passengers express their displeasure seeing me pull up in a 455, especially this week

458/4s and 701s couldn't come any sooner, more so for the driving performance and lack of traction specfic speed restrictions.

Thanks for posting this! - I guess passenger views are even stronger if it’s just a single 455 unit! - some drivers sound their horn to alert passengers if the train’s short formed - happy / safe driving…….

 

[Class15]

I hope you can at least recognise your opinion is held by no average commuter which are the main customer for the railways.

Apologies, I didn’t see this edit when I replied to your post. On SWR perhaps, but my views are that of the average customer on London Overground (North London line) and Thameslink, where I am a daily passenger. I only see things from a passenger perspective when I actually use that line on a daily basis, as I rarely take SWR I’m not saying that my view is agreed with by regular passengers. I certainly won’t be changing my enthusiasts’ viewpoint on the 455s and 701s, and certainly not because someone is saying I should on an internet forum.

What I can say is that I know several SWR commuters from Richmond/Twickenham area, they generally hate the 701s because they have seen them sitting in sidings for years and have not actually had the chance to try one because of the mess that has been this rollout.

Please also note that saying that I would rather take 455s doesn’t mean that I hate 701s; I don’t, but I want to take a couple more 455s before they are withdrawn. Surely nothing wrong with that?

 

[Class15]

Please don't take my comments personally, as I only speak from my own personal/professional involvement in the industry.

That’s absolutely fine, I didn’t take them personally at all. I doubt I will go into the railway industry, but if I do, it is, as you say, imperative that I see things from the industry viewpoint rather than an enthusiasts’ one.

 

[lookapigeon]

Apologies, I didn’t see this edit when I replied to your post. On SWR perhaps, but my views are that of the average customer on London Overground (North London line) and Thameslink, where I am a daily passenger. I only see things from a passenger perspective when I actually use that line on a daily basis, as I rarely take SWR I’m not saying that my view is agreed with by regular passengers. I certainly won’t be changing my enthusiasts’ viewpoint on the 455s and 701s, and certainly not because someone is saying I should on an internet forum.

What I can say is that I know several SWR commuters from Richmond/Twickenham area, they generally hate the 701s because they have seen them sitting in sidings for years and have not actually had the chance to try one because of the mess that has been this rollout.

Please also note that saying that I would rather take 455s doesn’t mean that I hate 701s; I don’t, but I want to take a couple more 455s before they are withdrawn. Surely nothing wrong with that?

Average commuter here who has to pay 300+ GBP per month to ride the 455s in order to get to the office - can't wait to be rid of them.

Freezing cold in the winter, roasting in the summer, lacks any modern facilities like toilets onboard, air conditioning or power at seats.

I don't get what enthusiasts like about the 455s, sure they're a reminder of BR times gone by and have done relatively (?) well for age, given I remember the originals of these trains when I was a child and they're still rolling around 30 years later. Just out of interest do SWR actually own these trains and have been sweating the assets, or are they leased like the rest of them?

I can't wait until we get 701s, after seeing them longingly whilst going past the Wimbledon depot, in a grubby sardine tin on wheels.