Unless they clear the 701s to at least Bracknell
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Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway: progress updates
- Thread starter WWTownEnth
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SWT_USER
Member
That must have been done - they do testing down to Reading don't they?
norbitonflyer
Established Member
Not yet in passenger service though. There may be sighting issues still to resilve - that is, after all, what the testing is for.
Goldfish62
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Yes, many times, but that presumably doesn't mean they're cleared for passenger running, and perhaps won't be for a very long time yet. I'd be surprised if we see them towards Reading before next year at the earliest, if then.
SWT_USER
Member
Wow. 6 years after they were due to be introduced and SWR didn't ever get around to clearing them on one of the core routes they are due to operate. A shame as they would be perfect for a day like that.
Presumably not something that can be done quickly. I wouldn't fancy being packed in to a toiletless 455 on a hot day after a day on the drink at Ascot/ Twickenham.
Presumably not something that can be done quickly. I wouldn't fancy being packed in to a toiletless 455 on a hot day after a day on the drink at Ascot/ Twickenham.
Goldfish62
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I can't see that being done just for a few days if there are no plans to use them in normal service to Reading any time soon.
It really doesn’t take much as the DCO platform train interface issues aren’t there anymore.
Goldfish62
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Well, I'm genuinely surprised, but I'll still believe it when it happens. I'll be keeping a lookout, that's for sure!
MasterPhillips
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The last time there was rugby and Ascot racing on the same day there was a queue at Reading stretching from platform 4/5/6 concourse to the footbridge escalators. No doubt it will happen again as they are running 4 tph. Except there is a 5 minute gap, followed by a 25 minute gap.
very well planned…
very well planned…
Clapham Yard today (Wed 04.06.25) at 1150: Main line side of the cleaning shed: 701528 and another 701/5 (not checked this time, but must be still 701529). Across the yard with 5 nicely lined up for a photo: 701044 701058 701041 701013 701053 701051 701018. At Wimbledon Depots at 1230: Beside topyard cleaning shed: 701508 701510, Inside cleaning shed 701046 701055 and another. East Wimbledon New Sidings (by main line): 701042 701036 701043:
701017 701034 and others (numbers not obtained) noted passing both locations in service.
701017 701034 and others (numbers not obtained) noted passing both locations in service.
OneTrackMinded
Member
Really good news - two diagrams within two weeks. We'll have to wait and see if it'll be consistent or not, but this is still good progress.
Goldfish62
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It certainly is. I'm thinking that three diagrams every four weeks would be good. With no rational basis other than hope of course!
To be fair, if the capacity is not enough to clear the queue in Reading, whether it’s evenly 15 minutes or 5/25 minutes doesn’t matter, all trains will be full. If 5/25 minutes make half of the trains not full, it’s arguably better as the not so full one will provide capacity for the poor passengers from intermediate stations down the line.
Today's testing (701058):
5T92 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - normal.
5T93 - Waterloo - Clapham Yard - goes to Hampton Court, reverses back on the same line, crossing to Surbiton P2, before heading back to the Yard, finishing at around 12:30AM.
5T92 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - normal.
5T93 - Waterloo - Clapham Yard - goes to Hampton Court, reverses back on the same line, crossing to Surbiton P2, before heading back to the Yard, finishing at around 12:30AM.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
My sightings today (Thursday 05/06.2025)
Clapham Yard @ 13:40
main line side to Windsor lines side.
701528 + 701529 behind (checked),
701058 (inside iirc)
701041 (inside iirc)
701012
701013
701053 arriving
701018
701028
701044.
Feltham Yard @ 14:15
nothing, empty.
Strawberry Hill @ 15:09
701036 and maybe no other 701s unless behind shed.
Wimbledon Park cleaning shed @15:46
701508 London end (100%) + 701 510 * (90% sure it was "10") country end
701017 passing
701 x up to 3 * inside shed
* seen from District Line trains.
Wimbledon Park depot (so nearer London)
701031 nearest running lines
701037
doors shut so no idea what was inside
only older units visible on North side.
EDIT :-
Following added 17:50 on 07/06/2025.
UPDATE for Friday 06/06/2025 (the next day)
Clapham Yard @ 16:10
As yesterday (05/06/2025) but plus 701005
Wimbledon depot @16;25
701042 by mainline
701nnn rear of sheds at London end.
Wimbledon carriage cleaning shed viewed from "Gap Road" over-bridge this time.
Main line side to furthest from main lines.
701039 departing ? towards London (outside)
701051 cleaning shed outside
701046 (50% sure) cleaning shed inside
701055 cleaning shed inside
701021 cleaning shed inside
701035 passing
Last edited:
701044s first outing?
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 2O05 0600 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 09/06/2025
Real-time train running information for 2O05 0600 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 09/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
NSEWonderer
Established Member
It is, was my trainer train not long ago and now its out, after passing the passenger testing trials. 12th 701 out in service now I believe.701044s first outing?
Realtime Trains | 2O05 0600 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 09/06/2025
Real-time train running information for 2O05 0600 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 09/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
Phillipimo
Member
9 701s in passenger service this morning from RealTimeTrains.
017, 031, 034, 035, 036, 039, 042, *2H92* 043, 044.
2H92 is the latest AM peak service to change to 701 operation.
017, 031, 034, 035, 036, 039, 042, *2H92* 043, 044.
2H92 is the latest AM peak service to change to 701 operation.
NSEWonderer
Established Member
Yep, diagram 3 is now live
Goldfish62
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And no short formations this morning apart from a handful of diesels on the WoE line!
SWT_USER
Member
Maybe not officially short formations assuming they are diagrammed as such, but when a 4 coach train turned up this morning I can assure you it still felt short formed!
Goldfish62
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OK, let's clarify. No undiagrammed short forms, unlike the past few weeks.
Today's testing (701028):
5T91 - Clapham Yard - Aldershot - goes via Ascot.
5T92 - Aldershot - Waterloo - goes to Weybridge via Ascot, then heads to Waterloo up the mainline.
5T93 - Waterloo - Aldershot - goes via the mainline (Woking) to Aldershot.
5T94 - Aldershot - Clapham Yard - heads back to the Yard via mainline.
5T91 - Clapham Yard - Aldershot - goes via Ascot.
5T92 - Aldershot - Waterloo - goes to Weybridge via Ascot, then heads to Waterloo up the mainline.
5T93 - Waterloo - Aldershot - goes via the mainline (Woking) to Aldershot.
5T94 - Aldershot - Clapham Yard - heads back to the Yard via mainline.
Further to
Phillipimo 's posting this lot plus 028 to follow in Waterloo today
042 043 044 017 035 036 031 039 034
017 made it to Guildford on a scheduled run as well! Strewth!
WWTownEnth
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Approximately how many drivers are now trained?
No idea I’m afraid