Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

[hwl]

Shame comfort isn't part of the regulations as the iron board seats will be on the 701s annoyingly

Shame no one else makes compliant seats at sensible prices.

 

[43096]

Yawn, the seat complaint is getting more and more boring everytime it is mentioned.

And the fact the TOCs don’t seem to be getting the message that the seats are appalling - and by extension they therefore don’t give a stuff about the punters - is getting pretty tedious.

 

[Bessie]

Do we know what the seat capacity is on 10 car class 701 versus a 10 car 458/5? I assume there will be a better configuration with no repeat of the silly 1+1 seat config in some parts of the current class 458/5 near the doors.

 

[hwl]

The 710s are only a year late due to the testing issues. They weren't built a year late.

Bombardier have recently taken on an extra 300 staff for final assembly work on the Aventras which should see the build rate pick up. Hence they appear to have confidence that the software will be less of a problem going forwards.

 

[Bigfoot]

And the fact the TOCs don’t seem to be getting the message that the seats are appalling - and by extension they therefore don’t give a stuff about the punters - is getting pretty tedious.

I happen to think that a thin seat is more comfortable, therefore they've listened to me and also therefore care about me as a "punter".

 

[Mordac]

And the fact the TOCs don’t seem to be getting the message that the seats are appalling - and by extension they therefore don’t give a stuff about the punters - is getting pretty tedious.

The thing is, no one here can do anything about it. So there's no point in writing the same thing over and over in this forum.

 

[43096]

The thing is, no one here can do anything about it. So there's no point in writing the same thing over and over in this forum.

Most of the stuff on here we can’t do anything about, but it doesn’t seem to stop anyone!

 

[RealTrains07]

Anyone word on an actual finished 701 yet? I have seen bits but no visuals on a finished unit?

 

[swt_passenger]

Do we know what the seat capacity is on 10 car class 701 versus a 10 car 458/5? I assume there will be a better configuration with no repeat of the silly 1+1 seat config in some parts of the current class 458/5 near the doors.

10 car 701 will have 546 seats.
2 x 458/5 has 540 seats.
As per the table in the franchise agreement, (where they have shown them as the since superseded class 711).

 

[samuelmorris]

10 car 701 will have 546 seats.
2 x 458/5 has 540 seats.
As per the table in the franchise agreement, (where they have erroneously shown them as class 711).

Class 711 I believe was the originally intended designation before it was changed to 701.

 

[swt_passenger]

Class 711 I believe was the originally intended designation before it was changed to 701.

Yes, I only really mentioned it in case anyone looks the franchise agreement up.

 

[samuelmorris]

Yes, I only really mentioned it in case anyone looks the franchise agreement up.

Indeed but you refer to it as being erroneous - it was probably correct at the time it was written.

 

[swt_passenger]

Indeed but you refer to it as being erroneous - it was probably correct at the time it was written.

Yes, possibly a bad choice of words, have edited.

 

[Malcolmffc]

Any update on when the first 701 will be delivered for testing?

 

[Goldfish62]

Any update on when the first 701 will be delivered for testing?

Reported in Modern Railways that a date has yet to be confirmed. However, the first 10 car unit is nearing completion.

 

[Bigfoot]

Apparently there is a photo of the first coach floating about amongst staff at SWR.

 

[Goldfish62]

Apparently there is a photo of the first coach floating about amongst staff at SWR.

Just seen one on Facebook of a completed driving car. Looks identical to the latest artists impressions.

 

[daylightatthegrids]

 

[Doomotron]

I'll admit, I didn't quite like how they looked in that shot from when they were being built, but now they're finished, I really like them. They even look good look with a yellow front, which no other Aventra has managed to do.

 

[SWRtrain_fan]

View attachment 68032

That looks great! The yellow front does suit it well imo.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That has quite a nice friendly look about it for some reason.

That, or like a wasp. Maybe one without a stinger

 

[Doomotron]

And that's why you don't make your opinions over a half-built train.

 

[RealTrains07]

And that's why you don't make your opinions over a half-built train.

Build quality still doesn’t look good though compared to what they will replace

 

[RealTrains07]

I'll admit, I didn't quite like how they looked in that shot from when they were being built, but now they're finished, I really like them. They even look good look with a yellow front, which no other Aventra has managed to do.

The 720 yellow front is nice i think? But yes i do agree hopefully the seats wont be ironing boards as shown in RAIL recently

 

[Goldfish62]

View attachment 68032

Looks great!

 

[TRAX]

As usual, would look better without the yellow front but this time it seems to be a lighter and softer shade ?

 

[Goldfish62]

I'll admit, I didn't quite like how they looked in that shot from when they were being built, but now they're finished, I really like them. They even look good look with a yellow front, which no other Aventra has managed to do.

I agree, and it's the best looking Aventra to date IMO.

 

[Goldfish62]

And that's why you don't make your opinions over a half-built train.

It's a pretty moronic video.

 

[Doomotron]

It's a pretty moronic video.

I thought the same when I saw it. Note to self: wait for the train to be complete!

 

[swt_passenger]

Build quality still doesn’t look good though compared to what they will replace

How can you possibly tell?