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

[168lover]

Was on a 701 this morning on a stopping service and it's very annoying to have the full station calling list read out after each stop (ie every 2/3 minutes) bar that they're great trains

 

[Bigfoot]

Was on a 701 this morning on a stopping service and it's very annoying to have the full station calling list read out after each stop (ie every 2/3 minutes) bar that they're great trains

Given the faults that are still present pis updates will be low down the list.

 

[Goldfish62]

(Deleted)

 

[Kite159]

What is the PIS like when the 701s pop up on Kingston (or Hounslow) loop services, does it display a 'fake' destination updating as it proceeds or is it like the 458s which will announce its a train for London Waterloo when approaching Vauxhall on the outward service.

 

[swr444]

What is the PIS like when the 701s pop up on Kingston (or Hounslow) loop services, does it display a 'fake' destination updating as it proceeds or is it like the 458s which will announce its a train for London Waterloo when approaching Vauxhall on the outward service.

at the moment it's like the 458 and lists every stop after each station

 

[Goldfish62]

at the moment it's like the 458 and lists every stop after each station

The 458s only announce the next stop. The only time the list is gone through is when the driver first sets up the PIS.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Given the faults that are still present pis updates will be low down the list.

Thought all the faults were resolved.

 

[D365]

Thought all the faults were resolved.

All of what faults?

 

[OneTrackMinded]

All of what faults?

Software faults.

 

[NSEWonderer]

701037 in Wimbledon Park Yard getting some TLC, split in half currently to facilitate the work.

 

[swt_passenger]

SWR originally planned to operate London Waterloo to Alton, Aldershot to Ascot and Guildford to Farnham with 701s. This is the original plan from 2020. I do not know what caused SWR to change the plan.

That map was considered unreliable when it first appeared, it was assumed to have been produced for a different purpose.

 

[GW43125]

Any more 701s ready to enter service soon? With 1037 out of service as mentioned above, if another diagram starts on Monday then I make that 10 diagrams from 10 units-pretty unrealistic?

 

[physics34]

Was on a 701 this morning on a stopping service and it's very annoying to have the full station calling list read out after each stop (ie every 2/3 minutes) bar that they're great trains

We've had to live with that on Southern for years. Just way OTT.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Any more 701s ready to enter service soon? With 1037 out of service as mentioned above, if another diagram starts on Monday then I make that 10 diagrams from 10 units-pretty unrealistic?

It's quite possible, as also might a note that 037 isn't out of service for long. 028 can still also at the very worse deputise. Also not 100% on how advanced the two next passenger trialed units are, could be close.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It's quite possible, as also might a note that 037 isn't out of service for long. 028 can still also at the very worse deputise. Also not 100% on how advanced the two next passenger trialed units are, could be close.

701 005 was running around yesterday doing either testing or training; it was opening doors at stations and had the usual "testing" banner across all the doorways.

 

[NSEWonderer]

701 005 was running around yesterday doing either testing or training; it was opening doors at stations and had the usual "testing" banner across all the doorways.

It has, 701025 is still going thru trials its the only one out of the original triad(035 and 044) yet to transition and be put in service.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It has, 701025 is still going thru trials its the only one out of the original triad(035 and 044) yet to transition and be put in service.

Can I just clarify... are we talking about two separate units here? It was definitely 701 005 I saw, not 701 025.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Can I just clarify... are we talking about two separate units here? It was definitely 701 005 I saw, not 701 025.

Yeah two different units. 701005 yes has started passenger trial testing of recent but 701025 is one of the two units I'm expecting to enter service next.

 

[WarrenTManager]

701037 in Wimbledon Park Yard getting some TLC, split in half currently to facilitate the work.

M2 Exam. Some work involves roof access I would assume hence split to access the bogie drop.

 

[wickham]

M2 Exam. Some work involves roof access I would assume hence split to access the bogie drop.

Please explain a little bit more regarding this - how does going over the bogie drop affect roof access? Is it done in the same building, or am I being a bit thick !

 

[WarrenTManager]

Please explain a little bit more regarding this - how does going over the bogie drop affect roof access? Is it done in the same building, or am I being a bit thick !

This is inside the bogie drop. It’s the only decent place for roof access with an elevated walkway. The main shed you can’t have it without major rebuilding. Otherwise there is the lift shop and using old school restraint systems, like wing walkers! The bogie drop only takes 5 cars hence splitting for manoeuvres onto that road.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Ah

M2 Exam. Some work involves roof access I would assume hence split to access the bogie drop.

Ah ok thanks, was wondering why it was in the smaller shed near medical bay.

 

[Stephen42]

Looks like this diagram is going 701 next week

No.1: 701 Diagram
Starts at Clapham Sidings - 5O05 -> 2O05 -> 2K09 -> 2O17 -> 2K21 -> 2O29 -> 2K33 -> 2O41 -> 2K45 -> 2V53 -> 5V53 - Ends At Feltham Depot

The schedule alterations with 2K09 forming 5Y82 and another unit taking over from 2O17 have been put in for next week so doesn't look like a change there. The 2V53 is run by another 701 diagram, next week going to Reading afterwards before back to depot.

Overall the Ascot changes appear to increase the number of 701 operated services even if no additional diagrams.

Thought all the faults were resolved.

It's relatively common for software faults to be identified during introduction into passenger service. These might reduce reliability or cause delays from rebooting/resetting rather than preventing units being in passenger service. The 707s when moved over to Southeastern uncovered several faults related to previously unused DOO equipment, the last one was only fixed in 2024 several years after introduction.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Bagshot, Camberley, Frimley, Ash and Wanborough (every intermediate station except Ash Vale) can all only take about four carriages.

Camberley is 6 coaches.

Ash can also take 8 coaches on the up line (towards Guildford).

 

[TEW]

The additional 701 diagram starting next week is the one that starts with 2D90, 0618 Epsom to London Waterloo. Then runs on Hampton Court/ Guildford via Epsom all day. It had previously been covered by 10-458.

 

[Goldfish62]

The additional 701 diagram starting next week is the one that starts with 2D90, 0618 Epsom to London Waterloo. Then runs on Hampton Court/ Guildford via Epsom all day. It had previously been covered by 10-458.

I'm hoping this means that the 10-458 moves to replace one of the all-day 455 Reading line diagrams, as per the current carriage working notices.

 

[TEW]

I'm hoping this means that the 10-458 moves to replace one of the all-day 455 Reading line diagrams, as per the current carriage working notices.

The 10-458 moves to what is down as an 8-455 diagram on the Shepperton line for next week at least.

 

[NSEWonderer]

The additional 701 diagram starting next week is the one that starts with 2D90, 0618 Epsom to London Waterloo. Then runs on Hampton Court/ Guildford via Epsom all day. It had previously been covered by 10-458.

No.12: 701 Diagram
Starts at Wimbledon Park Depot Siding – 5D89 → 5D89 → 5D90 → 2D90 → 2J09 → 2J16 → 2D15 → 2D28 → 2J29 → 2J36 → 2D35 → 2D48 → 2J49 → 2J56 → 2D55 → 2D68 → 2J69 → 2J76 → 5Y65 → 5Y65 – Ends at Wimbledon Park Depot Siding

 

[Big Jumby 74]

The 10-458 moves to what is down as an 8-455 diagram on the Shepperton line for next week at least.

These sort of diagram changes will likely be very fluid over the coming months, as all unit classes involved still have to 'balance', location wise, start and finish of each day, with the overall situation gradually moving closer to the picture in the perm CWN.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jun 2025 ==

Otherwise there is the lift shop and using old school restraint systems, like wing walkers! The bogie drop only takes 5 cars hence splitting for manoeuvres onto that road.

There was possibly floor space in the lift bay, between 12 & 13 for the structure of an elevated walkway (as in your image), but the major issue was of course the gantry crane, the presence of which combined with any high level walkway, would not have gone down well in H&S terms, and rightly so!
The bogie drop was a welcome addition to the depot, long overdue, and thankfully financed as part of the original 10 car plan I believe. Seems a life time ago now. Its construction plan originally included the loss of 16 road in its entirety, until it was (politely!) suggested that any siding space (even if only a 4 car length remaining at the time) would likely prove useful now and again. That's how tight space had become back then. It was what it was.

 

[tfw756rider]

Hi,

So the first entry to service of Class 701 (according to Wikipedia) was the 9/1/24 - that was a 701/0 unit, yes? Can anyone in here provide me with the date of first entry to service of subclass 701/5, please?