Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

[WibbleWobble]

5Q12 47727 701010

Realtime Trains | 5Q12 0733 Eastleigh Trsmd to Worksop Down Yard | 11/05/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q12 0733 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Worksop Down Yard on 11/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

That 47 was towing also towing a 701 (which I was told was defective) through Poole yesterday lunchtime - possibly doing the reversing movement out of Bournemouth depot.

 

[Invincible]

This service seems to have been through Totton in the up direction at 1504:

Realtime Trains | 5Q51 1115 London Waterloo to Eastleigh | 11/05/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q51 1115 departure from London Waterloo to Eastleigh on 11/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thanks, looks like it, perhaps the 33 and 4tc actually went though about 1506?

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks, looks like it, perhaps the 33 and 4tc actually went though about 1506?

I think that’s about right as the RTT times I checked are for Totton Station, so you can expect a couple of minutes between them at the video viewpoint.

Might you have missed it on RTT at first glance because it’s listed as Waterloo to Eastleigh, although running via Poole?

 

[Invincible]

I think that’s right RTT times I checked are Totton Station, so you can expect a couple of minutes between them. Might you have missed it at first glance because it’s listed as Waterloo to Eastleigh, although running via Poole?

Thanks, You don't know what unit number the 701 was, as it is not listed on RTT?

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks, You don't know what unit number the 701 was, as it is not listed on RTT?

No I tried pausing the video but it’s not at all clear even when magnified, unfortunately.

 

[3973EXL]

That 47 was towing also towing a 701 (which I was told was defective) through Poole yesterday lunchtime - possibly doing the reversing movement out of Bournemouth depot.

47727 701041

Realtime Trains | 5Q47 1240 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh Trsmd | 10/05/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q47 1240 departure from Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh Trsmd on 10/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Invincible]

I also could not make out the number on the video.
Looking at the list, 5Q51 could have most likely been: 006 013 026 or 033?

 

[swt_passenger]

I also could not make out the number on the video.
Looking at the list, it could have most likely been: 006 013 026 or 033?

If I was to choose one of those I’d probably say 026.

 

[Flange Squeal]

At one point a few months ago Farnham actually had 6 701s! I can confirm though that last time I went past there were 2 701s as well as the usual 450s and 458s.

One of the the two remaining ones (047) left Farnham last night, leaving just one (029) there for now.

 

[Western Sunset]

47727 701041

Realtime Trains | 5Q47 1240 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh Trsmd | 10/05/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q47 1240 departure from Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh Trsmd on 10/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

You mean this one...

 

[Stew27005]

One of the the two remaining ones (047) left Farnham last night, leaving just one (029) there for now.

Thanks Flange Squeal. Was it definitely 047? I had 044 at Farnham. Can anyone confirm the unit number please?

 

[Flange Squeal]

Thanks Flange Squeal. Was it definitely 047? I had 044 at Farnham. Can anyone confirm the unit number please?

It was definitely 047. Some units have been swapped around several times since Farnham started storing them, with 044 being one of the shorter term visitors for just a fortnight 6th-21st April.

 

[wickham]

Thank you for the confirmation regarding the status of storage of units at Feltham and Farnham. It does seem odd that units are being sent away to far flung places such as Long Marston and Worksop while Feltham sidings stand empty !! I suppose however, that there are still new units to be delivered and in time these will take up the vacated spare at Eastleigh, Feltham and Farnham. To confirm, units 701014/17/37 were in Clapham Yard yesterday (11/05), 014 was actually observed moving from one road to another at about 1045. A few minutes earlier 701028 was observed moving in Wimbledon depot, between the Top Yard and East Wimbledon Depot.

 

[Siemens Staines]

I do not think Feltham Depot stands empty at night. I am not 100% sure, but I think Feltham Depot has 10 roads and it looks like 9 of them are currently used overnight;

Realtime Trains | Departures from Feltham Depot between 1900 and 0700 on 17/05/2023

Train information at Feltham Depot between 1900 and 0700 on 17/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Flange Squeal]

I do not think Feltham Depot stands empty at night. I am not 100% sure, but I think Feltham Depot has 10 roads and it looks like 9 of them are currently used overnight;

Realtime Trains | Departures from Feltham Depot between 1900 and 0700 on 17/05/2023

Train information at Feltham Depot between 1900 and 0700 on 17/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

You are spot on - Feltham does indeed have 10 roads.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I do not think Feltham Depot stands empty at night. I am not 100% sure, but I think Feltham Depot has 10 roads and it looks like 9 of them are currently used overnight;

Realtime Trains | Departures from Feltham Depot between 1900 and 0700 on 17/05/2023

Train information at Feltham Depot between 1900 and 0700 on 17/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I vaguely recall in this thread it being mentioned that the 701s had to be moved away from the new/expanded sidings at Feltham because they sidings were needed for operational trains.

 

[Goldfish62]

I vaguely recall in this thread it being mentioned that the 701s had to be moved away from the new/expanded sidings at Feltham because they were needed for operational trains.

Not expanded. The depot is completely new. It's built on the site of the enormous former marshalling yard.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Not expanded. The depot is completely new. It's built on the site of the enormous former marshalling yard.

Corrected.

 

[Purple Train]

It was definitely 047. Some units have been swapped around several times since Farnham started storing them, with 044 being one of the shorter term visitors for just a fortnight 6th-21st April.

Thank you for the confirmation regarding the status of storage of units at Feltham and Farnham. It does seem odd that units are being sent away to far flung places such as Long Marston and Worksop while Feltham sidings stand empty !! I suppose however, that there are still new units to be delivered and in time these will take up the vacated spare at Eastleigh, Feltham and Farnham. To confirm, units 701014/17/37 were in Clapham Yard yesterday (11/05), 014 was actually observed moving from one road to another at about 1045. A few minutes earlier 701028 was observed moving in Wimbledon depot, between the Top Yard and East Wimbledon Depot.

How much are units moving about? (I noticed 047, 017, and 014 in Clapham Yard on April 22nd, hence why I ask.) Have they been moving around since then?
Also, with apologies for the stupid question - is anything actually going to be done with them? Or are they just going to sit and rust in the sidings?

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

I do not think Feltham Depot stands empty at night. I am not 100% sure, but I think Feltham Depot has 10 roads and it looks like 9 of them are currently used overnight;

Realtime Trains | Departures from Feltham Depot between 1900 and 0700 on 17/05/2023

Train information at Feltham Depot between 1900 and 0700 on 17/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Indeed there are currently 2 458s and 4 450s stabled there today

 

[XCTurbostar]

Does anyone have any updates on the status of these units? Are reliability/software faults still the root cause of the lack of driver training?

 

[3973EXL]

47727 701013

Realtime Trains | 5Q64 0710 Eastleigh Trsmd to Willesden S.W.S. | 16/05/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q64 0710 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Willesden S.W.S. on 16/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q66 1009 Willesden S.W.S. to Long Marston Gbrf | 16/05/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q66 1009 departure from Willesden S.W.S. to Long Marston Gbrf on 16/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

47727 701026

Realtime Trains | 5Q64 0709 Eastleigh Trsmd to Willesden S.W.S. | 17/05/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q64 0709 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Willesden S.W.S. on 17/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q66 1009 Willesden S.W.S. to Long Marston Gbrf | 17/05/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q66 1009 departure from Willesden S.W.S. to Long Marston Gbrf on 17/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Does anyone have any updates on the status of these units? Are reliability/software faults still the root cause of the lack of driver training?

No an information blackout that the KGB would be envious of

 

[fgwrich]

Does anyone have any updates on the status of these units? Are reliability/software faults still the root cause of the lack of driver training?

Last I heard, the latest software update has knocked things back a step when things seemed to be turning the corner for Alstom and these beleaguered units. I don’t know what it is about Derby and Software, but it’s been described more than a few times as a cluster (+unmentionable word).

That said, the Railway Magazine now reckons December 2023 - so if that is the case… only 4 years late!

Speaking of the fleet, I see 701010 has moved to Long Marston. That was until recently being used as one of the test units, with various additional cables running along the body side and through various additional holes, so testing appears to have been concluded with that unit.

 

[Elorith]

That said, the Railway Magazine now reckons December 2023 - so if that is the case… only 4 years late!

If I was a betting man, I suspect that even that may be quite over-optimistic.

You have to wonder how large the consequences of them being sat in the sidings for so long are going to be. Already the braking and wheel equipment is rusted on many of the units. There's bits of mould and mildew growing in some of them. I imagine there's going to be a fair bit of cleaning up to do once they're finally signed off.

 

[Invincible]

Is test 5Q51 1115 London Waterloo to Staines Up Loop running today?

 

[3973EXL]

Speaking of the fleet, I see 701010 has moved to Long Marston. That was until recently being used as one of the test units, with various additional cables running along the body side and through various additional holes, so testing appears to have been concluded with that unit.

701010 went to Worksop

5Q12 47727 701010

Realtime Trains | 5Q12 0733 Eastleigh Trsmd to Worksop Down Yard | 11/05/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q12 0733 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Worksop Down Yard on 11/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Train 5Q12 Eastleigh Trsmd to Worksop Down Yard Thu 11/05/2023 | Rail Record

Live Train Times for Train 5Q12 Eastleigh Trsmd to Worksop Down Yard departing on Thu 11/05/2023 | Rail Record

live.rail-record.co.uk

 

[Goldfish62]

If I was a betting man, I suspect that even that may be quite over-optimistic.

Yes, given that all previous dates have been hopelessly optimistic I think we're now into next year at least.

 

[Invincible]

Last I heard, the latest software update has knocked things back a step when things seemed to be turning the corner for Alstom and these beleaguered units. I don’t know what it is about Derby and Software, but it’s been described more than a few times as a cluster (+unmentionable word).

That said, the Railway Magazine now reckons December 2023 - so if that is the case… only 4 years late!

Maybe, as discussed earlier, outsourcing software coding to India has caused a few problems until quality assurance settles down?
Also doing high profile major updates on the Elizabeth line Aventras may not have helped software resources?. The ongoing bad relations with the unions over pay and working conditions also may not have helped?.

 

[Trainbike46]

Bombardier trains have had major issues with software for years; Software issues with Bombardier locomotives were a major cause of unreliability on Dutch passenger services, and some of their metro vehicles in North America had similar issues. The problem clearly isn't restricted to Derby, but appears to have run throughout Bombardier's rail division for years now. Hopefully Alstom manages to get it sorted, both for the 701s and more generally