Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

[theironroad]

What's with the red stencil outline in the windscreen?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

What's with the red stencil outline in the windscreen?

Looks like it's to do with testing signal sighting and similar?

 

[PG]

Looks like it's to do with testing signal sighting and similar?

A lesson learned from Hitachi's 385-gate...

 

[Pete_uk]

From the front they look like a bumble bee

 

[SWRtrain_fan]

Also interesting the Desiros in my opinion look far better than any of the other units in SWR colours (442s and diesels), as for these I'll wait for the complete livery to be applied.

I agree, it's because they have smooth bodysides unlike the 442s and 158/159s.

 

[Goldfish62]

Those are some really nice photos, but it does lead me to ask how we've only seen 5 cars but 10 car units are supposed to be introduced first (explicitly 10 car units not 2x5car)

Also interesting the Desiros in my opinion look far better than any of the other units in SWR colours (442s and diesels), as for these I'll wait for the complete livery to be applied.

The first 4 (?) units are pre-production and are all five cars. The fifth unit, which is 10 car, is the first production unit and will be delivered to SWR soon.

Info from the trade press.

 

[Goldfish62]

I agree, it's because they have smooth bodysides unlike the 442s and 158/159s.

Agreed. I think it's also because of the black edging around the window frames.

The 701s don't have smooth bodysides because they use metal framed windows rather being bonded. However the frames are black, so I reckon they'll look as good as the Desiros when fully done.

 

[swt_passenger]

What's with the red stencil outline in the windscreen?

Looks like it's to do with testing signal sighting and similar?

It definitely is, please see last month’s discussion leading up to the drawing in post #1343...

 

[theironroad]

Looks like it's to do with testing signal sighting and similar?

It definitely is, please see last month’s discussion leading up to the drawing in post #1343...

Thanks both. Confess I've not been following the thread to date.

 

[RealTrains07]

First 701 due to arrive at wimbledon depot later this month. As noted previously in the thread it will be a 10 car 701/1. Source: RAIL

Incase anyone wasn’t already aware.

 

[Goldfish62]

The latest RAIL reports that the first 10 car unit is due to be delivered to Wimbledon this month.

Whether that happens now is another matter given that the world is being turned upside down.

 

[Murray J]

unlike with the 90s, 143s and 142s, this may be a case where the lifespan if 455s, 466s, 707s and 458s is extended slightly.
what time are they meant to be disposed of by?

 

[hwl]

unlike with the 90s, 143s and 142s, this may be a case where the lifespan if 455s, 466s, 707s and 458s is extended slightly.
what time are they meant to be disposed of by?

No PRM or CET issues...

 

[PG]

unlike with the 90s, 143s and 142s, this may be a case where the lifespan if 455s, 466s, 707s and 458s is extended slightly.
what time are they meant to be disposed of by?

Not exactly much of a problem to 'extend' the lifespan of the 707s since they are nearly new.

 

[theironroad]

First 701 due to arrive at wimbledon depot later this month. As noted previously in the thread it will be a 10 car 701/1. Source: RAIL

Incase anyone wasn’t already aware.

From the article: "first of 90 sets". That's a lot of carriages.....

 

[samuelmorris]

From the article: "first of 90 sets". That's a lot of carriages.....

Yes, 750 in all. 60x10-car + 30x5-car.

 

[Goldfish62]

Yes, 750 in all. 60x10-car + 30x5-car.

The largest Aventra order to date.

 

[theironroad]

Yes, 750 in all. 60x10-car + 30x5-car.

Thanks. For some reason I didn't think it was so many but makes sense now.

 

[samuelmorris]

The largest Aventra order to date.

In terms of number of vehicles yes. In terms of actual product supplied, Anglia's order is bigger as it's 665 vehicles that are 20% longer than than the 701s, so the equivalent length of 798 vehicles. Alright, extra length doesn't mean extra cabs etc. but it does mean extra seats due to GA using 2+3 configuration, plus all the other extras that there would be extra of, lighting, plug sockets etc.

 

[D365]

Ah, it didn't occur to me that the Class 701s are made up of 20m carriages.

 

[Goldfish62]

In terms of number of vehicles yes. In terms of actual product supplied, Anglia's order is bigger as it's 665 vehicles that are 20% longer than than the 701s, so the equivalent length of 798 vehicles. Alright, extra length doesn't mean extra cabs etc. but it does mean extra seats due to GA using 2+3 configuration, plus all the other extras that there would be extra of, lighting, plug sockets etc.

Comparative value of orders:

GA: £835m
SWR: £895m

 

[theironroad]

The latest RAIL reports that the first 10 car unit is due to be delivered to Wimbledon this month.

Whether that happens now is another matter given that the world is being turned upside down.

What was the original delivery timescale? I'm guessing at least a couple a week once it gets rolling.

Having said that, they'll need to find space to store them (Eastleigh looks empty!) as I imagine the driver training will now be on hold for the foreseeable.

 

[Goldfish62]

What was the original delivery timescale? I'm guessing at least a couple a week once it gets rolling.

Having said that, they'll need to find space to store them (Eastleigh looks empty!) as I imagine the driver training will now be on hold for the foreseeable.

Yes, quoted previously as 1 - 2 units per week. Storage is an issue and relies on current stock being quickly withdrawn.

 

[hwl]

Comparative value of orders:

GA: £835m
SWR: £895m

And the Anglia order has far more cabs as it has more 5car units 222cabs vs 180cabs. Comparatively fewer bogies and air con units as well as more traction motor fed per "grey box" on average on 720s vs 701s on the longer Anglia coaches all adds up in value terms.

 

[samuelmorris]

And the Anglia order has far more cabs as it has more 5car units 222cabs vs 180cabs. Comparatively fewer bogies and air con units as well as more traction motor fed per "grey box" on average on 720s vs 701s on the longer Anglia coaches all adds up in value terms.

Then they seem to have got a much better deal, if the above figures are correct?

 

[AlexNL]

SWR is getting a new shorter cab design though, and incorporates a new ABDO* system. The GA order uses the 'standard' Aventra product.

* Automatic Braking and Door Opening

 

[hwl]

Then they seem to have got a much better deal, if the above figures are correct?

Going 24m is actually very efficient the net effect for Anglia is a saving of 266 bogies, 133 air con units and other weight savings to which reduces the number of traction motors required along with traction electronics by 2 "grey boxes" per 240m (admitted one of the boxes ends up being bigger but still cost and weight savings) which reduces cost substantially. The difference in number of cabs is only just over £10m. The extra 4m is far far cheaper than rolling it in an extra vehicle instead (noticeably less welding, assembly and testing)
SWR also includes most ABDO costs.

 

[D365]

Has ABDO been discussed in this thread? Just wondering if somebody could explain the principles of its proposed operation.

 

[pompeyfan]

This is hypothetical as there’s no clear guidance yet, but Driver drives over a beacon in the 4ft of the track at around the platform ramp at an agreed speed. The train will then manage itself to bring the formation to a stop at the relevant stop car mark and then release the doors the instant wheels stop.

 

[hwl]

This is hypothetical as there’s no clear guidance yet, but Driver drives over a beacon in the 4ft of the track at around the platform ramp at an agreed speed. The train will then manage itself to bring the formation to a stop at the relevant stop car mark and then release the doors the instant wheels stop.

The outer balise will have to be far further away than the far end of the platform probably around the previous signal.