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

[OneTrackMinded]

Having a look at the July Carriage Working Notices and there's some more 701 diagrams:

2C05 05.26 off waterloo will be a 701
2V45 1607 off waterloo + 2C55 1750 off Waterloo will be a 701
2C69 2120 off Waterloo

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

 

[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