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

[PG]

Looks like SWR didn't let the DfT know about the negotiations with unions in January.

Wonder when the DfT actually found out?

 

[The_Train]

Better than the alternative, which is yet more short-formed trains.

This is something I can never understand when people cry about getting rid of "old trains" before there are suitable replacements available. And the worst part about it now is that we have seen it in other areas of the country with other TOCs having done it (namely XC and GWR) and yet people still want it happening with TfW and SWR

It's not news for those of us who have read updates on these forums on the units being sent away for the work over the past year or so.

Plus the lease extension - lots of giveaways

 

[OneTrackMinded]

lus the lease extension - lots of giveaways

Nope, most of the 455s are planned to be replaced by the end of the year. The lease is simply for contingency. All major issues with the 701/0s have been sorted, from technical problems to driver training.

 

[The_Train]

Nope, most of the 455s are planned to be replaced by the end of the year. The lease is simply for contingency. All major issues with the 701/0s have been sorted, from technical problems to driver training.

"most"

"planned"

 

[Class15]

"most"

"planned"

Indeed, quite right, based on the 701 introduction so far, I wouldn’t say anything with certainty.

Anyone know exactly how many 701 diagrams there usually are now please? Is it still 7?

 

[Bikeman78]

And 20 would surely be incredibly slow.

I've seen enough new trains arrive to know that it nearly always happens more slowly than planned. Connex famously trotted out two more 375s per week statement multiple times. Didn't make it true though.

 

[Goldfish62]

I've seen enough new trains arrive to know that it nearly always happens more slowly than planned. Connex famously trotted out two more 375s per week statement multiple times. Didn't make it true though.

OK, let's assume only 20 diagrams by the end of the year then.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Got to love how nippy these things are! Wasn't even full power on the PBC either. These things leaving Feltham on the Up towards Whitton are night and day quicker over anything else, especially Desiros. They'll hit 60 way before the Desiro reaches it(Usually just a bit before Feltham Crew Depot Building).

Credits to the Video Author!

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Got to love how nippy these things are! Wasn't even full power on the PBC either. These things leaving Feltham on the Up towards Whitton are night and day quicker over anything else, especially Desiros. They'll hit 60 way before the Desiro reaches it(Usually just a bit before Feltham Crew Depot Building).

Indeed, it’s quite amazing! You really do get pushed back in your seat when you’re riding one.

 

[markle]

I note that the GBR "liveried" 701 (046) has been left in the siding just outside London Waterloo on the Main Suburban side.

I can't recall the last time I've seen that siding in use, call me sceptical but feels like marketing over substance.

 

[NSEWonderer]

I note that the GBR "liveried" 701 (046) has been left in the siding just outside London Waterloo on the Main Suburban side.

I can't recall the last time I've seen that siding in use, call me sceptical but feels like marketing over substance.

Its often used to stable trains, mainly 455s have been seen in there.

 

[norbitonflyer]

I note that the GBR "liveried" 701 (046) has been left in the siding just outside London Waterloo on the Main Suburban side.

I can't recall the last time I've seen that siding in use, call me sceptical but feels like marketing over substance.

It has run just once in passenger service since rebranding. After its well-publicised run from Waterloo to Shepperton, it ran ECS to Wimbledon, leaving anyone who had arrived on it to wait 45 minutes for a 2x455 to turn up at 0820 to run the next train out of Shepperton. That's probably why Geoff Marshall noticed so few people stuck with it all the way to Shepperton - most would have bailed before Twickenham, to get an earlier train back.

 

[Kite159]

Well 701046 has just departed Waterloo, looked like it had passengers on board. Looked like it swapped with 017 on the 0836 London Waterloo to Hampton Court. With 017 following on I presume the ECS to Hampton Court.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Well 701046 has just departed Waterloo, looked like it had passengers on board. Looked like it swapped with 017 on the 0836 London Waterloo to Hampton Court. With 017 following on I presume the ECS to Hampton Court.

If that's the case, RTT hasn't caught up as it shows 017 on the service train and 046 on the ECS

The early part of that diagram didn't happen - 1D05 and 1D14 being caneclled "due to a problem with the traction equipment"

 

[Siemens Staines]

If that's the case, RTT hasn't caught up as it shows 017 on the service train and 046 on the ECS

RTT also shows 2J92 actually arrived in P6 and the next departure being 5J93 to Hampton Court, 2J13 to actually have departed from P3 off no prior arrival (ie probably Waterloo CHS). This conflicts with the actual unit allocations

 

[Kite159]

1D21 (1024 London Waterloo to Dorking) is indeed 046 as I've just boarded it at Vauxhall.

(Photo shows the GBR sticker)

 

[Bikeman78]

OK, let's assume only 20 diagrams by the end of the year then.

If there are more, you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[hwl]

OK, let's assume only 20 diagrams by the end of the year then.

GTR managed to add an extra 2x Cl.700 diagrams every fornight for several months at time during the Cl.700 roll out before needing a bit of breather for 2months (usually due to running of accepted fault free units) and then resuming.

It feels like the SWR driver shortage is worse than GTR staffing at the time and it isn't clear that SWR have been doing enough getting enough units accepted and to be able to continuing to do so at a reasonable pace.

 

[Devonman2014]

Does anyone know what 701’s are on Clapham sidings this afternoon- just passed and saw a number parked up.

Then passed Wimbledon and 037 was adjacent main line with (I think) 055 parked up behind it.

Anyone able to assist ??

 

[Goldfish62]

It feels like the SWR driver shortage is worse than GTR staffing at the time and it isn't clear that SWR have been doing enough getting enough units accepted and to be able to continuing to do so at a reasonable pace.

May be a bit early to conclude anything yet. If there are no further 701 diagrams in the next couple weeks then I think we can surmise that things perhaps aren't going smoothly.

The new MD has certainly got his work cut out, and he's going to be under immense pressure from Alexander and Hendy to get demonstrable results, and quickly!

 

[swtrains]

Today's testing (701018):

5T91 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - goes to Waterloo, reverses, and heads to Shepperton via Richmond, reverses and goes back to Waterloo via Wimbledon.
5T92 - Waterloo - Clapham Yard - goes to Hampton Court, reverses, and heads back to the Yard, finishing around 12:40AM.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q51570/2025-05-27/detailed#allox_id=0

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q51569/2025-05-27/detailed

 

[alanc]

Many thanks Alanc: I see that another is due from Bicester on 27/05, via the same arrangements.

5Q76 is 69008 plus 701020 today

 

[mansonlo49]

5Q76 is 69008 plus 701020 today

they’re quite frequent hauling the units out of Bicester recently

 

[nctd2306]

According to RTT, 701035 is entering service on 2U45, if that's true then it's good to see some new units finally carrying passengers

 

[GW43125]

According to RTT, 701035 is entering service on 2U45, if that's true then it's good to see some new units finally carrying passengers

...Just in time for it to get stuck at Windsor because Datchet crossing has packed up!
2U52 cancelled, 2H93 starting at Twickenham, someone in control is clearly optimistic it can do Windsor to Twickenham in 20 minutes!

 

[NSEWonderer]

According to RTT, 701035 is entering service on 2U45, if that's true then it's good to see some new units finally carrying passengers

Been long trialed for passenger service alongside its 25 counterpart which is still ongoing. Indeed Dachet level crossing is having issues. Unit 31 has been put out today due to the incident at White Hart Lane involving it.

 

[swr444]

1D12 is switching to 701 next week. Unsure if the rest of the diagram is though

 

[OneTrackMinded]

1D12 is switching to 701 next week. Unsure if the rest of the diagram is though

I'd like to hope it is, otherwise we're going to be looking at a single service every two weeks....

 

[swr444]

I'd like to hope it is, otherwise we're going to be looking at a single service every two weeks....

just did a check of other depots diagrams and it is indeed the whole of this one :
No.2: 701 Diagram
Starts at Clapham Yard Sidings – 5D11 → 1D12 → 2J13 → 2J20 → 2D19 → 2D32 → 2J33 → 2J40 → 2D39 → 2D52 → 2J53 → 2J60 → 2D59 → 2D72 → 2J73 → 2J98 → 5Y75 – Ends at Wimbledon Park Depot Siding

 

[OneTrackMinded]

just did a check of other depots diagrams and it is indeed the whole of this one :
No.2: 701 Diagram
Starts at Clapham Yard Sidings – 5D11 → 1D12 → 2J13 → 2J20 → 2D19 → 2D32 → 2J33 → 2J40 → 2D39 → 2D52 → 2J53 → 2J60 → 2D59 → 2D72 → 2J73 → 2J98 → 5Y75 – Ends at Wimbledon Park Depot Siding

Good to hear. 1 diagram every two weeks isn't too bad, although two would have been preferable. Better than none at all..