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

[Tirov]

Waterloo today 26/6 017 025 031 034 036 037 039 041 042 043 044 046 12 plus 035 later!

 

[GW43125]

When you say diagrams I assume you just mean those services?

Yes, that's the "diagram 15" which was alluded to on the rollout press release posted a few pages ago. Stables at Wimbledon park between peaks.
Also includes 2C16, 07.09 ex Reading which has long been a priority for 10car alongside 2C55.

In an ideal world that diagram would've been up and running in time for royal ascot (I'm 99% sure it was down to change in early June originally), but such is the railway!

 

[Goldfish62]

That’s a shame.

I dare say the extra driver requirement for Ascot had an impact on training.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Yes, that's the "diagram 15" which was alluded to on the rollout press release posted a few pages ago. Stables at Wimbledon park between peaks.
Also includes 2C16, 07.09 ex Reading which has long been a priority for 10car alongside 2C55.

In an ideal world that diagram would've been up and running in time for royal ascot (I'm 99% sure it was down to change in early June originally), but such is the railway!

Presumably also 2C66, as it has to get back from Reading to Waterloo after forming 2C55 if it is to form 2C69.
2C69 currently forms 2C80 back to Waterloo as well.

 

[Goldfish62]

In an ideal world that diagram would've been up and running in time for royal ascot (I'm 99% sure it was down to change in early June originally), but such is the railway!

Yes, in the now-defunct November plan it would have been.

 

[NSEWonderer]

I dare say the extra driver requirement for Ascot had an impact on training.

Hasn't affected training, if anything theres quite a lot of courses going on.

 

[swtrains]

025 failed at Epsom

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L49132/2025-06-27/detailed

 

[bb21]

Any idea how regularly additional units are being cleared for passenger service? Presumably at some point a shortage of units is likely to become the pinch point in the rollout (rather than the shortage of trained crew which is the main issue right now)?

Sorry I've not really kept up with the thread but there isn't a committed set schedule at the moment for their introduction, more a case of when new ones are ready. As things currently stand 13 are currently authorised for passenger service following 025's introduction. There are only 14 diagrams in the July LTP which is four weeks away so they really need to get one authorised every two weeks until then to have enough for planned service.

 

[Snow1964]

Sorry I've not really kept up with the thread but there isn't a committed set schedule at the moment for their introduction, more a case of when new ones are ready. As things currently stand 13 are currently authorised for passenger service following 025's introduction. There are only 14 diagrams in the July LTP which is four weeks away so they really need to get one authorised every two weeks until then to have enough for planned service.

The Rock Rail South Western accounts stated 59 of 60 10car and 28 of 30 5car were accepted and being paid for on 31 Dec (nearly 6 months ago), so presumably have reached acceptance standard.

Not totally clear to me, what additional work they need, to be able to run in service, over the already accepted by Operator status. Maybe someone has a list of what is needed, and could advise how long it takes to clear them for service.

 

[norbitonflyer]

025 failed at Epsom

Curiously now shown at platform 24 at Waterloo about to form 2J49 - 1706 to Hampton Court.

The platform is unusal, to say the least, for a train coming in from Epsom and going out to Hampton Court so I suspect some other unit is there, and RTT hasn't been updated regarding the allocated stock.

OTT, on the other hand, shows 2J49 to be at platform 2

 

[Snow1964]

Alstom have just been awarded a contract for upto 6 months, valued at £4m to provide technical support and spares for 701s.

Seems to be an interim pending a full award, although why they didn't leave enough time to arrange full award prior to the required start date isn't clear.

Description​

Direct award of a short-term interim contract for a maximum of 6 months (Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement) for the provision of training, technical support and supply of spares in relation to the contracting authority's 60 x 10 car units and 30 x 5 car units of Class 701 rolling stock (the "6 month TSSSA"). This interim award is made to enable finalisation of the longer term direct award contract previously published under ref-ocds-h6vhtk-05126b. The intention being to award the longer term contract as soon as possible within the term of the 6 months TSSSA or, if that is not possible, on expiry of the 6 month TSSSA for a contract term no longer than 5 years from the award of the interim agreement, therefore the subsequent final contract term will be for a period equalling 5 years less the term of this interim contract, preserving an overall 5 year term. The contract value represents a maximum that could be earned during the 6 month TSSSA.

Award Detail​

1	Alstom Engineering & Services (Derbyshire) Reference: 1 Value: £4,047,919

CPV Codes​

• None found

Legal Justification​

Alstom Engineering and Services Limited was the Original Equipment Manufacturer for the Class 701 rolling stock. No supplier other than Alstom Engineering and Services Limited would be able to take on the performance risk and associated Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement obligations for the fleet of Class 701 trains during the train introduction and warranty period.

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2025/W26/849347065

 

[markle]

Passenger fainted from the heat on 2H14 this morning.

The AC is still woeful compared to the 707s SWR used to run and the 345s on the Elizabeth Line.

I find it hard to find the earlier justifications of "if it's too cold it presents a risk to passenger health" logical as other operators seem to be able to run it colder, and the current temperature may also present a risk to passenger health.

 

[Class93]

Passenger fainted from the heat on 2H14 this morning.

The AC is still woeful compared to the 707s SWR used to run and the 345s on the Elizabeth Line.

I find it hard to find the earlier justifications of "if it's too cold it presents a risk to passenger health" logical as other operators seem to be able to run it colder, and the current temperature may also present a risk to passenger health.

Someone fainting is rarely, if ever a passenger health risk and almost certainly won’t be fixed with air con. We wouldn’t apply the same standard to platforms.

 

[markle]

Someone fainting is rarely, if ever a passenger health risk and almost certainly won’t be fixed with air con. We wouldn’t apply the same standard to platforms.

Depends how hard they bang their head on the way down.

I find it quite hard to understand how when something is demonstrably worse than other new trains people will still defend it to the hilt.

To your comparator: arguably all platforms should - at a minimum - have shaded waiting areas in this heat. Water fountains wouldn't go amiss either. Historic conventions and approaches aren't all that useful with the increasingly hot summers that we're having.

 

[swtrains]

Someone fainting is rarely, if ever a passenger health risk and almost certainly won’t be fixed with air con. We wouldn’t apply the same standard to platforms.

Why wouldn’t it be fixed with air con, it’s already been discussed several times the AC on the 701s is pretty weak and needs to be increased and set to a cooler temperature to match the rest of the fleet?

 

[Snow1964]

Why wouldn’t it be fixed with air con, it’s already been discussed several times the AC on the 701s is pretty weak and needs to be increased and set to a cooler temperature to match the rest of the fleet?

If I remember correctly, on trains where people are expected to stand rather than sit, the ideal temperature should be slightly lower. (The theory is heat rises, so having head in warmer area is more likely to be uncomfortable)

Is the air con actually weak, or has some skinflint somewhere deemed that it should be set to a low power mode, or less cool temperature.

 

[Nimbus020]

Re. the above & air con on the 701s: observations on 2D90 this morning (06:18 from Epsom) were 1) air con was definitely underwhelming (but just about OK) and 2) as noted before, guard's PA announcements were v 'tinny' and garbled! - does sound like a v cheap system! (unit 035)

 

[OneTrackMinded]

The AC is still woeful compared to the 707s SWR used to run and the 345s on the Elizabeth Line.

Is the air con actually weak, or has some skinflint somewhere deemed that it should be set to a low power mode, or less cool temperature.

I’ve heard that there was some issue with the doors not closing properly due to a pressure difference, and they decided an appropriate fix was to reduce the power of the AC (or rather a cheap, quick fix).

 

[Invincible]

The "plug" doors should fit well even with air con going? Perhaps a fix is in progress?.

Someone fainting is rarely, if ever a passenger health risk and almost certainly won’t be fixed with air con. We wouldn’t apply the same standard to platforms.

Isn't the advice for passengers to travel with a bottle of water when hot.
Are the

SWR expands partnership with water company ape2o helping to stop single use plastic bottles

www.southwesternrailway.com

Ape2o water dispenser machines still at Vauxhall, Richmond, Wimbledon, Hampton Court, Twickenham etc stations?

 

[Benjwri]

Ape2o water dispenser machines still at Vauxhall, Richmond, Wimbledon, Hampton Court, Twickenham etc stations

Yes but as mentioned in the link they are charged to use, which most people will object to paying for tap water.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes but as mentioned in the link they are charged to use, which most people will object to paying for tap water.

Is Waterloo one of the terminus stations on which Network Rail has fitted free water dispensers?

 

[Goldfish62]

I’ve heard that there was some issue with the doors not closing properly due to a pressure difference, and they decided an appropriate fix was to reduce the power of the AC (or rather a cheap, quick fix).

That sounds extremely bizarre!

 

[markle]

Are the

SWR expands partnership with water company ape2o helping to stop single use plastic bottles

www.southwesternrailway.com

Ape2o water dispenser machines still at Vauxhall, Richmond, Wimbledon, Hampton Court, Twickenham etc stations?

Off topic but yes they are; there's also free ones at Waterloo, Clapham Junction and Reading, as well as some free fountains provided by Thames Water outside a few stations (e.g. Wandsworth Town, Raynes Park)

In general I'd love to see the free chillers that were installed by Network Rail at their stations rolled out more broadly.

 

[vuzzeho]

Is there a way to find out what temperature the 701 AC is set to? Maybe one could compare this to other units that are lower.
As for the guard's mic - I don't know what the variable is, but I've heard it sound amazing (notably on the first GBR branded run back in May - I'll link the video). Maybe it's just whether the guard knows the best way to use it?

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7508495440854125847

 

[TEW]

I’ve heard that there was some issue with the doors not closing properly due to a pressure difference, and they decided an appropriate fix was to reduce the power of the AC (or rather a cheap, quick fix).

Kind of, but it's only at stations, it isn't in place yet and it's a fix from Greater Anglia.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Is there a way to find out what temperature the 701 AC is set to? Maybe one could compare this to other units that are lower.
As for the guard's mic - I don't know what the variable is, but I've heard it sound amazing (notably on the first GBR branded run back in May - I'll link the video). Maybe it's just whether the guard knows the best way to use it?

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7508495440854125847

The mic has a certain position it needs to be held in, at least according to what I've heard from Guards. Problem is that getting that postion correct all the time isn't realistic nor should it be that way, desiro mics for example work well no matter the way you hold it(within reason).

Also depends of the Guards are doing a PA from the rear cab of which the phone is much much better than the GOP Mics for most Guards.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Kind of, but it's only at stations, it isn't in place yet and it's a fix from Greater Anglia.

Oh ok, interesting. I wonder why SWR has chosen to set it to such a high setting for no apparent reason then.

 

[PG]

Is there a way to find out what temperature the 701 AC is set to? Maybe one could compare this to other units that are lower.

Could one of our forumites do an empirical check of the saloon temperature with a thermometer, perhaps?

 

[NSEWonderer]

Out if intrest has anyone other than some fourm members actually heard regularly users complain about the AC being warm? For example today I was on Unit 41 and all I heard in reference to the AC: "Oh good this one has AC", "Its cool in here" and that was in the coach I was in.

There is a reason the Elizabeth Line increased its temps up from what it was Intially when the core opened. Half of that reason was down to the internal vs extermal temperature change difference and how it affects the body.

 

[Goldfish62]

Out if intrest has anyone other than some fourm members actually heard regularly users complain about the AC being warm? For example today I was on Unit 41 and all I heard in reference to the AC: "Oh good this one has AC", "Its cool in here" and that was in the coach I was in.

When the temperature is 34 outside and it's 22 on the train then if people didn't notice there'd have to be something wrong with them!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Tuesday at 08:49 ==

Half of that reason was down to the internal vs extermal temperature change difference and how it affects the body.

What's the effect on the body? Apart from cooling it down?