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

[Goldfish62]

But neither 2U07, 2H90 nor 2J92 were 701s this morning

2U07 and 2J92 cancelled due to planned train replaced with as slower train (but diagrams didn't run at all)
2h90 run by 450002

All seems to be sorted now as there's nothing showing X vice 10 for the rest of the day.

 

[Robert Carroll]

1D12 - 0728 from Worcester Park was 701031 this morning. On my way back from an appointment, I had about 15 minutes at Wimbledon waiting for a train. What struck me was how few 455s there were on suburban services, as 450s worked most of the ones I saw, but I only saw one 701 on a Shepperton train and another went through ECS.

 

[Nimbus020]

1D12 - 0728 from Worcester Park was 701031 this morning. On my way back from an appointment, I had about 15 minutes at Wimbledon waiting for a train. What struck me was how few 455s there were on suburban services, as 450s worked most of the ones I saw, but I only saw one 701 on a Shepperton train and another went through ECS.

Thanks - also of note now is how the consecutive 18:06, 18:09 & 18:12 departures on the 'mainline' suburban side of Waterloo this evening are 701s - signs of progress, for sure

 

[mansonlo49]

Hello I found this photo on their website, just wanted to know will the destinations that the anrterio go are accurate? Thanks

 

[swr444]

701018 running on 5T92 currently

Realtime Trains | 5T92 1337 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 02/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 5T92 1337 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 02/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

701044 is on 5Q06

Realtime Trains | 5Q06 1442 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 02/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q06 1442 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 02/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[swtrains]

Today's testing (701018):

5T91 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - Goes to Waterloo, reverses, goes to Epsom, reverses, and heads back to Waterloo.
5T92 - Waterloo - Waterloo - Goes to Chessington South, reverses, and goes back to Waterloo.
5T93 - Waterloo - Clapham Yard - Goes to Guildford via Woking, reverses and heads back to the Yard via Woking.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q54759/2025-06-02/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q54757/2025-06-02/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q54755/2025-06-02/detailed

 

[NSEWonderer]

701044 is on 5Q06

Realtime Trains | 5Q06 1442 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 02/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q06 1442 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 02/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Yeah its a training drive atm

 

[Robert Carroll]

Thanks - also of note now is how the consecutive 18:06, 18:09 & 18:12 departures on the 'mainline' suburban side of Waterloo this evening are 701s - signs of progress, for sure

Three busy trains all of which merit priority.

Whilst out for a stroll this afternoon, I saw a pair of 458s between Worcester Park and Stoneleigh. Along with 701s, 450s and 455s, that makes four types of stock. I don't think there have been four different types of stock on the regular service through Worcester Park since the brief period in the summer of 1983 when we had 4 Subs, 2 and 4 EPBs, 508s and 455s.

 

[wickham]

Eastleigh Depot (Airport Sidings) mid-day on Saturday 31.05.25:
Present were 701004 701005 and 701503 (presumably another 701/5 coupled, out of view): These were the only 701s present at Eastleigh Depot and there were none at Eastleigh Works, a far cry from the quantity that used to be stabled here some months ago.

 

[Nimbus020]

Three busy trains all of which merit priority.

Whilst out for a stroll this afternoon, I saw a pair of 458s between Worcester Park and Stoneleigh. Along with 701s, 450s and 455s, that makes four types of stock. I don't think there have been four different types of stock on the regular service through Worcester Park since the brief period in the summer of 1983 when we had 4 Subs, 2 and 4 EPBs, 508s and 455s.

Thanks - very good points - if you wanted to, you could get 4 types of stock from Worcester Park to Waterloo in the 'morning peak'. Starting with the 458/5s on the 06:27, you could change en route on to the 07:04 from Chessington South (Class 450) before finishing on the 07:57 ex-Worcester Park (Class 701) - this still leaves scope to get a 455 at some point on the journey

 

[norbitonflyer]

Thanks - very good points - if you wanted to, you could get 4 types of stock from Worcester Park to Waterloo in the 'morning peak'.

Whilst I was waiting at the level crossing at North Sheen on Friday, four trains went past - a 701, then a 455, then a 458, and finally a 450.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

I am afraid that recent posts on this thread are opaque to the casual reader who does not understand the codes

 

[Peter Sarf]

I am afraid that recent posts on this thread are opaque to the casual reader who does not understand the codes

Those are class numbers for the different types of train.

I recommend referring to Wikipedia for meanings as the vast majority of people on here will already know what they are.

List of British Rail electric multiple unit classes - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I will refrain from any quote as I cannot decide which bit is the most interesting but it is basically a table of Electric Multiple Unit types. Left most column is the TOPS class number (so 455, 450, 458 & 701 would be of interest). Each row links to an article describing the relevant class in more detail.

Anyone who does not know their class numbers can get absorbed in the above !.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Three busy trains all of which merit priority.

On that subject one has to be mindful that during any new stock rollout, diagram changes (stock type) are liable to be quite frequent. The first priority will be to ensure this process rolls out as smoothly (and reliably) as possible, and hence the 'balancing' of each class of unit involved at start and finish of each day will be the first order of the day.
As such, there may be instances where a service that is perceived as being high priority for new stock type, may have to await its turn, depending on diagram detail.

 

[norbitonflyer]

I am afraid that recent posts on this thread are opaque to the casual reader who does not understand the codes

Four different classes of train - but apart from the 701s which are the subject of this thread, the detail differences are not relevant to the most recent posts - only that the variety exists.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Four different classes of train - but apart from the 701s which are the subject of this thread, the detail differences are not relevant to the most recent posts - only that the variety exists.

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. I know the different train classes. It's the diagram coding as I was interested on which routes the 701s can be found on. I do know that they run on the Windsor and shepperton routes. Which part of the code gives the route is it the upper case letter?

 

[norbitonflyer]

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. I know the different train classes. It's the diagram coding as I was interested on which routes the 701s can be found on. I do know that they run on the Windsor and shepperton routes. Which part of the code gives the route is it the upper case letter?

Ah, yes.
The first number is the class of service - 1 for express passenger, 2 for local passenger, 3 for non passenger (eg testing or training), 5 for empty stock (to or from depot). Other numbers are for freight, or (9) special routing, Eurostar etc
The letter is indeed the route - the commonest for 701s are
D - Epsom and beyond
H -Shepperton
J - Hampton Court
K - Kingston rounder via Wimbledon and Richmond
O - Kingston rounder via Richmond and Wimbledon
R - Hounslow rounder out via Richmond
U - Windsor
V - Hounslow rounder out via Brentford
Last two digits are individual identifiers - odd numbers are down services, even are up, except rounders which keep the same number all the way round. Sometimes different blocks of numes are used for different variants, for example Shepperton via Richmond services are coded in tə 2H9x range

 

[Robert Carroll]

Thanks - very good points - if you wanted to, you could get 4 types of stock from Worcester Park to Waterloo in the 'morning peak'. Starting with the 458/5s on the 06:27, you could change en route on to the 07:04 from Chessington South (Class 450) before finishing on the 07:57 ex-Worcester Park (Class 701) - this still leaves scope to get a 455 at some point on the journey

Looking at RTT, four successive trains from Worcester Park were formed of different types of stock this morning. I'm pleased that the 0727 has changed as it's my regular train, and I often aim for the 1809 in the evening, which is also now a 701. I shall only be in the office one day this week, though. As others have commented, the acceleration of a 701 is noticeably better than a 455 and the ride is good. When the 0727 went back from 458 to 455, I switched to the 0757 and on several occasions the train arrived early and stood for time at Worcester Park for a minute or two. I think the interior lighting could be a bit brighter, though, but that is a very subjective thing.

Incidentally, anyone who is interested in historic unit types could visit my Flickr site, where there are two albums of Southern units. One has everything up to 4 Sub. The other is 4 EPB right through to 701, although there is not so much on the modern-day stock as the older generation. Mostly original images I have acquired with rights to use but there are some of my own photos too.

 

[Goldfish62]

Looking at RTT, four successive trains from Worcester Park were formed of different types of stock this morning. I'm pleased that the 0727 has changed as it's my regular train, and I often aim for the 1809 in the evening, which is also now a 701. I shall only be in the office one day this week, though. As others have commented, the acceleration of a 701 is noticeably better than a 455 and the ride is good. When the 0727 went back from 458 to 455, I switched to the 0757 and on several occasions the train arrived early and stood for time at Worcester Park for a minute or two. I think the interior lighting could be a bit brighter, though, but that is a very subjective thing.

Incidentally, anyone who is interested in historic unit types could visit my Flickr site, where there are two albums of Southern units. One has everything up to 4 Sub. The other is 4 EPB right through to 701, although there is not so much on the modern-day stock as the older generation. Mostly original images I have acquired with rights to use but there are some of my own photos too.

I've just had a quick look at your Flickr site. Some really superb photos!

 

[Stephen42]

But neither 2U07, 2H90 nor 2J92 were 701s this morning

2U07 and 2J92 cancelled due to planned train replaced with as slower train (but diagrams didn't run at all)
2h90 run by 450002

2H90 is planned to be a single 450 on a short term basis.

RTT describes the stock allocation attribution reason as slower train, it is intended for short forms or exam swaps as well. Three units ended up at Strawberry Hill over the weekend, looks like one went to Wimbledon Park this morning and the train for 2U07 went to Wimbledon Park this morning as well (was the train cancelled for vandalism but unclear if related). If 701046 wasn't available for any reason that would have left 3 passenger service 701s at Wimbledon Park for 4 trains. Were only 7 out all day, the evening cancellation was given as train crew so hopefully that means enough units available for tomorrow.

 

[nctd2306]

Has 701042 worked in passenger service before today? I've just noticed it's on 2U18 and can't recall seeing it in passenger service before.

 

[GW43125]

Has 701042 worked in passenger service before today? I've just noticed it's on 2U18 and can't recall seeing it in passenger service before

Been out about a week, 035 the week before that.

Nightmare on the Windsor side this morning, 2C18 is a single 455 and 2U16 is 8/458 vice 701.

 

[nctd2306]

I'm on 2C18, it's chaos, people left behind from Virginia Water, normally if this service is shortened they run it fast from Staines, not the case though today. To add insult to injury, 2C20 is also only a 4 car

Been out about a week, 035 the week before that.

Ah interesting, I hadn't spotted it! Good to see more units finally carrying passengers, hopefully the days of these 4 car peak time trains are finally numbered!

 

[GW43125]

I'm on 2C18, it's chaos, people left behind from Virginia Water, normally if this service is shortened they run it fast from Staines, not the case though today. To add insult to injury, 2C20 is also only a 4 car

You poor soul. I saw that and sprinted for 2S16!

2C20 has been a pretty solid 4car recently from memory.

Wondering if there's some unit wormhole opened up in Wimbledon park as the release of 2x455 by the extra Dorking circuit appears to have somehow made matters worse!

 

[Phillipimo]

Been out about a week, 035 the week before that.

Nightmare on the Windsor side this morning, 2C18 is a single 455 and 2U16 is 8/458 vice 701.

I believe 2U16 is back to being booked 8 car since the May timetable change.

RTT suggests 8 701s out this morning: 017, 031, 034, 036, 037, 039, 042 and 043.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Ah, yes.
The first number is the class of service - 1 for express passenger, 2 for local passenger, 3 for non passenger (eg testing or training), 5 for empty stock (to or from depot). Other numbers are for freight, or (9) special routing, Eurostar etc
The letter is indeed the route - the commonest for 701s are
D - Epsom and beyond
H -Shepperton
J - Hampton Court
K - Kingston rounder via Wimbledon and Richmond
O - Kingston rounder via Richmond and Wimbledon
R - Hounslow rounder out via Richmond
U - Windsor
V - Hounslow rounder out via Brentford
Last two digits are individual identifiers - odd numbers are down services, even are up, except rounders which keep the same number all the way round. Sometimes different blocks of numes are used for different variants, for example Shepperton via Richmond services are coded in tə 2H9x range

Excellent thanks very much that is exactly what I was after

 

[Peter Sarf]

LIST IN OTHER THREAD regarding 701 USAGE :-.

Now that 701s have been in service for a whole year (well, one of them has.........) I thought it timely to transfer the record of which units have run, and when, to a new thread instead of having it hidden halfway down the 701 thread in the "traction" area. I little thought when I started recording them that there would still only be six diagrams a year later

To date (January 9th) only seven units have been in passenger service. (EDIT - By the end of March it is still only nine)

Totals, first and most recent outings
(2024 dates in bold) Number in parenthesis is the number of days in passenger service, regardless of whether it was a complete diagram or not.

701043 (202) 16/Jan/24,3/Jun/25 : (first Saturday working, Rugby extra 2nd November 2024 - also first Dorking, 24 March '25)
701037 (199) 09/Jan/24,3/Jun/25 (first in service - to Windsor, 9th January 2024 - first Kingston roundabout, 1st Jan 2025)
701039 (193) 10/Jan/24,3/Jun/25 (first via Brentford, 2nd July 2024 - first to Shepperton (both ways) 30th September 2024)
701036 (183) 07/Mar/24 3/Jun/25 (first Sunday working, 15th December 2024)
701017 (128) 25/Nov/24 3/Jun/25
701031 (113) 28/Oct/24 3/Jun/25 (first from Surbiton, 28th October 2024)
701034 (49) 18/Mar/25, 3/Jun/25 (first to Hampton Court and Guildford, 19th May 2025)
701046 (36) 17/Mar/25, 28/May/25 (first under DfT operation, 25th May 2025)
701042 (8) 21/May/25, 3/Jun/25
701035 (4) 28/May/25, 2/Jun/25
701028 (3) 06/Feb/24, 09/Feb/24



(total 1117)

I will endeavour to keep this updated.

+

Has 701042 worked in passenger service before today? I've just noticed it's on 2U18 and can't recall seeing it in passenger service before.

See above in other thread. A list of 701s used in service. Useful to keep a link to this as first post is being kept up-to-date. Probably best to reply there if any questions regarding usage btw.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Has 701042 worked in passenger service before today? I've just noticed it's on 2U18 and can't recall seeing it in passenger service before.

Picked up its alter return working at Windsor. Down to Waterloo without much of a hitch, vacuuming up passengers. Few minutes early Into Waterloo. No two of the same units are the same, 17 feels abit more nippier than the rest baring 46, 42 however is a bit more smoother on the brakes, thats from a driving perspective however.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

No two of the same units are the same, 17 feels abit more nippier than the rest baring 46, 42 however is a bit more smoother on the brakes, thats from a driving perspective however.

Well said indeed. Someone who understands the nuances of such technology. There will always be 'odd men out' when it comes to (in railway parlance) stock types, the same applies to the car world, past and present. Easily explained perhaps in years past by the maintenance regimes in place at the time, ie: when brake blocks need changing, they'll be replaced (etc), but often there were always one or two units (locos) of a given class, that never seemed to fit within the overall parameters of the class in question, and which perplexed numerous exam investigations over the years.

 

[Goldfish62]

You poor soul. I saw that and sprinted for 2S16!

2C20 has been a pretty solid 4car recently from memory.

Wondering if there's some unit wormhole opened up in Wimbledon park as the release of 2x455 by the extra Dorking circuit appears to have somehow made matters worse!

2C20 should be a single 458/5, but has been a 450 so far this week.

To add to the woes, both the 1320 to Reading and 1322 to Weybridge cancelled at Waterloo today due to train faults.

Yes, counter-intuitively each additional 701 introduced seems to make the stock situation otherwise worse!