I'd assume so but I was talking to an SWR driver I know and he says the units are still unstable software wise. No two units have the same bugs, so they can't be relied on for training. The reason why some of the units have only seen a few days of running publicly is because they've developed software issues. He also notes there's a lot going on in the background but doesn't take way from the fact the trains aren't ready yet.
This is a given; they’re all at different mod levels.
Ah, thanks for that. At last an explanation for the current situation!
You might want to look to your right…
Ventilation.
Stabling road. What’s the issue?
Now showing on RTT. That unit has now done more days in service (21) than any two other units combined.
My admittedly somewhat cynical suspicion is that SWR has a KPI (key performance indicator) of "Class 701s in service", and that was defined as minimum four passenger services per day. Therefore the current two off-timetable round trips to Windsor, while useless from a passenger viewpoint, might be enough to tick the KPI box and trigger benefits and bonuses. Trebles all round, as Private Eye puts it when exposing similar management shenanigans elsewhere.
Nice picture! The 450 with the doors open in the stabling road is a rare and fascinating catch also.
Worksop. Been there since July 2022.
Often the case in many a depot here (UK) also, when cleaning (train presentation) staff are going through stock doing their thing. Just unfortunate (perhaps) being on 48 road and North side to boot, it is open to public gaze. 48 and 49 roads in past times were seldom used for stabling, everything berthed being within the security fence between 47 & 48 roads, but capacity issues, as have been discussed often, mean beggars can't be choosers any more in the stabling context, and every inch of siding space is now required.....no surprises there...
I wonder if it’s this split unit
A train being prepped. Door release test part of the process.
I think it's visible in this video from November last year (not mine):
Wouldn't be surprised. Job done and a big fat bonus for the departing MD.
they are advertised in that they appear on customer information screens at stations.
I knew someone would point that out...
And on Journey planners (I tried NR, Trainline and SWR)
OK, so they're advertised and Windsor enjoys 3 tph for a small part of the day Mon-Fri. Funny how they're not in the published timetables in that case.
But they are as much use as the proverbial "chocolate fireguard". They do nothing to address the chronic situation that SWR is in - it's capacity added at times when it is isn't needed. If they ran (say) on the Reading route in the slot of the old 1735 or 1805 from Waterloo they would actually be useful...
Ah yes, the ludicrous "timetable of the day" beloved of the railways.
They are not in the working timetable though, they are always STP'd. But, yes, they're advertised on passenger systems as members of the "timetable for the day."
