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

[Dr_Intoxicated]

701s seem to be disappearing from Feltham yard. Used to be 5 now only 2

 

[theking]

There was a picture circulating a while ago that showed a guards operating panel? Has anyone got this cant seem to find it anywhere!







Post 3681 for some reason, can't quote and my messages mess up its on one of the photos quite far away.

 

[swr444]

701s seem to be disappearing from Feltham yard. Used to be 5 now only 2

There were none when I went past on the 23rd December, just 2 8 car 450s

 

[Goldfish62]

There were none when I went past on the 23rd December, just 2 8 car 450s

There's one in the little used siding at Wokingham. Unfortunately it got a heavy grafitti attack over Christmas.

 

[Chriso]

I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of graffiti in my day out from West Ruislip to Woking although I’m sure there have been a few attacks

Central London tube stations appear unscathed this year

 

[Wokingham]

There's one in the little used siding at Wokingham. Unfortunately it got a heavy grafitti attack over Christmas.

?

 

[Goldfish62]

?

What you like me to add? No, I don't know the unit number.

 

[stuving]

There's one in the little used siding at Wokingham. Unfortunately it got a heavy grafitti attack over Christmas.

Heavy? Maybe, though just on the bit easily reached from that oh-so-useful access platform that was built when the siding was upgraded last year. And it's 701 037, as you can see.

 

[Towers]

Heavy? Maybe, though just on the bit easily reached from that oh-so-useful access platform that was built when the siding was upgraded last year. And it's 701 037, as you can see.

I would certainly describe that as a pretty 'heavy' graffiti attack.

I presume they didn't take the prize for the first one to be so treated?

 

[Goldfish62]

Heavy? Maybe, though just on the bit easily reached from that oh-so-useful access platform that was built when the siding was upgraded last year. And it's 701 037, as you can see.

If you don't think that covering nearly a whole bodyside including the windows is heavy I'd certainly be interested to know what your definition of heavy grafitti is!!!!

 

[LUYMun]

Heavy? Maybe, though just on the bit easily reached from that oh-so-useful access platform that was built when the siding was upgraded last year. And it's 701 037, as you can see.

It's also graffiti'd quite a bit on the other side.

 

[EdChap]

Out of curiosity only, who pays for the removal? Does it depend on whether the unit has been accepted by SWR or is still awaiting acceptance? Sorry if this is not written very clear but I could not think of a way to express it better!

Ed Chap

 

[traji00]

701049, tagged at Shepperton siding. More graffiti on the left side, and the frontal mess reads: “Stop Wars Start Raves”.

 

[Mollman]

Out of curiosity only, who pays for the removal? Does it depend on whether the unit has been accepted by SWR or is still awaiting acceptance? Sorry if this is not written very clear but I could not think of a way to express it better!

Ed Chap

I would guess it would be whoever owns the unit (as you state about SWR acceptance). They might try and get compensation if the sidings were meant to be secure etc.

 

[XCTurbostar]

Well, 2023 is here, I wonder if any will enter service in these 12 months..

 

[Goldfish62]

Well, 2023 is here, I wonder if any will enter service in these 12 months..

Well if they don't it must surely then be the case that they never will.

 

[Snow1964]

Out of curiosity only, who pays for the removal? Does it depend on whether the unit has been accepted by SWR or is still awaiting acceptance? Sorry if this is not written very clear but I could not think of a way to express it better!

Ed Chap

Presumably whoever is responsible for them day to day

Ultimately they are the security of Deutche Bank Luxembourg SA

The bank gets paid by Rock Rail South Western Limited, who receive lease payments from SWR, who in turn get some form of late delivery and non performance compensation from Alstom (formerly Bombardier). Those not accepted still belong to Alshom.

 

[Geogregor]

Presumably whoever is responsible for them day to day

Ultimately they are the security of Deutche Bank Luxembourg SA

The bank gets paid by Rock Rail South Western Limited, who receive lease payments from SWR, who in turn get some form of late delivery and non performance compensation from Alstom (formerly Bombardier). Those not accepted still belong to Alshom.

And of course each institution in the chain takes a cut. What a messy system of managing what should effectively be a public asset...

 

[Peter Sarf]

And of course each institution in the chain takes a cut. What a messy system of managing what should effectively be a public asset...

Not a public asset as the "public" referred to get the 701s on the never never I am afraid. A wonderful money go round involving someone (plural) with no interest in the railways or public transport being paid a regular sum for the risk they take. But now/surprisingly those risks might well be coming home to roost.

 

[DelW]

Well, 2023 is here, I wonder if any will enter service in these 12 months..

I've had a personal mental sweepstake going for quite a while, as to which fleet would win the "slow race" between SWR's 701s, GWR's 769s, and TfW's 230s.

To stretch the metaphor, those 769s have fallen on the way from paddock to start line (and may yet meet the humane killer), the 230s may be withdrawn as the owner has gone bust, and so the 701s could be the only remaining entrant.

Though I still wouldn't back them with real money even in a one-horse race.

 

[Goldfish62]

I've had a personal mental sweepstake going for quite a while, as to which fleet would win the "slow race" between SWR's 701s, GWR's 769s, and TfW's 230s.

To stretch the metaphor, those 769s have fallen on the way from paddock to start line (and may yet meet the humane killer), the 230s may be withdrawn as the owner has gone bust, and so the 701s could be the only remaining entrant.

Though I still wouldn't back them with real money even in a one-horse race.

You should have had the 730s and 777s in there as well to spice things up.

 

[43096]

the 230s may be withdrawn as the owner has gone bust

I wasn’t aware that TfW had gone bust… they own the five 230s for their services.

 

[43102EMR]

I wasn’t aware that TfW had gone bust… they own the five 230s for their services.

He was referring to the manufacturer, clearly worded wrong by mistake…

 

[DelW]

I wasn’t aware that TfW had gone bust… they own the five 230s for their services.

He was referring to the manufacturer, clearly worded wrong by mistake…

Indeed, the possibly over-stretched racing metaphor wouldn't really cover the complexities of financial and operational responsibilities involved on the railway ...

 

[43096]

Indeed, the possibly over-stretched racing metaphor wouldn't really cover the complexities of financial and operational responsibilities involved on the railway ...

Is it the 230’s breeder that you were referring to?

 

[DelW]

Is it the 230’s breeder that you were referring to?

That crossed with a touch of Dr Frankenstein!

 

[Elorith]

I've had a personal mental sweepstake going for quite a while, as to which fleet would win the "slow race" between SWR's 701s, GWR's 769s, and TfW's 230s.

To stretch the metaphor, those 769s have fallen on the way from paddock to start line (and may yet meet the humane killer), the 230s may be withdrawn as the owner has gone bust, and so the 701s could be the only remaining entrant.

Though I still wouldn't back them with real money even in a one-horse race.

GWR fleet to shrink further as it abandons Class 769 introduction

UK: Great Western Railway is to hand back all 19 of the Class 769/9 multi-system 'Flex' multiple-units to leasing company Porterbrook in April 2023.

www.railwaygazette.com

If you mean the GWR ones re: class 769, I believe they're giving up on them.

 

[DelW]

If you mean the GWR ones re: class 769, I believe they're giving up on them.

That was what I was referring to, they're off lease from the end of March with an unknown future, presumably either storage or scrapyard.

 

[Invincible]

BBC news are running the following article.

First of £1bn trains to run in 2023, South Western Railway says

The high-capacity Arterio trains would enter service with South Western Railway three years late.

www.bbc.co.uk

"Mainline driver training is scheduled to commence in the new year."
So next week (no strikes)? On simulator or actual 701?

 

[55007pinza]

Here is a question for anyone. Why was 701022 stabled in the sidings by Portsmouth & Southsea station just before Christmas? Also are the 458's coming to Portsmouth? This might belong in another thread, apologies.