Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

[trainmania100]

Bloke on Facebook saying 701005, don't take my word for it you know what some of these facebookers can be like haha

 

[Murray J]

Path in for Monday now,

Train 6X24 Derby Litchurch Lane to Eastleigh Trsmd | Rail Record

Live train times and live updates for Train 6X24 Derby Litchurch Lane to Eastleigh Trsmd | Rail Record

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To Eastleigh rsmd
Locos from chaddesden the day before

being reported on se-gen it's 66770 + 701005 + 66742. @trainmania100

 

[spark001uk]

being reported on se-gen it's 66770 + 701005 + 66742. @trainmania100

Both those locos are showing as moved to Litchurch today, so that looks reliable.

 

[theironroad]

Aren’t the 442s also written into the franchise obligations? Unless something has been agreed with the DfT I would be surprised.

I dont hink franchise committments will mean a lot right now.

I'd imagine that SWR will revert to OLR by end of year unless First group have suddenly become a charity as can't imagine they'll want any new ERMA deal paying less than the current 2% of costs they are getting.

 

[Ciderking]

Seen arriving at Eastleigh today.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sparrowhawk7/50133708222/in/dateposted-public/

 

[swt_passenger]

Seen arriving at Eastleigh today.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sparrowhawk7/50133708222/in/dateposted-public/

I see this one seems to have the full colours and branding at the front end.

 

[Goldfish62]

I see this one seems to have the full colours and branding at the front end.

Same as the last one delivered, 004.

 

[swt_passenger]

Same as the last one delivered, 004.

Oh I missed that one. Just remembered it was pointed out the first one was “bare”.

 

[RichSwitch]

I’ve seen some recent pictures (elsewhere) of the new trains on delivery. All I can say is “Nice train. Shame they painted it to look like a slug”. Surely SWR can do better than that for livery on spanking new trains.

 

[Mikey C]

I’ve seen some recent pictures (elsewhere) of the new trains on delivery. All I can say is “Nice train. Shame they painted it to look like a slug”. Surely SWR can do better than that for livery on spanking new trains.

They would have looked so much better in one of SWT's liveries, especially the blue one

 

[Dan15812]

They would have looked so much better in one of SWT's liveries, especially the blue one

I see what you mean there!
Although I like the fact SWR have made it a bit more upmarket and less kid-like compared to SWT.

 

[trainmania100]

Seen arriving at Eastleigh today.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sparrowhawk7/50133708222/in/dateposted-public/

Nice pictures David, I checked out the other Eastleigh ones in your album too

 

[spark001uk]

701005. Shot the working from a different location/angle this time.
.

 

[fgwrich]

701005. Shot the working from a different location/angle this time.
.

Something I hadn't realised until this evening, from both your video and pictures on Flickr, is that the cab door appears to have been left open during transit.

701005

GBRf 66742 & 66770 top & tail South Western Railway 701005 through Potbridge working 6X24 Derby Litchurch Lane to Eastleigh.

www.flickr.com

 

[spark001uk]

Something I hadn't realised until this evening, from both your video and pictures on Flickr, is that the cab door appears to have been left open during transit.

You can't really see it in the video, but I thought I caught a glimpse of someone in the cab, which might explain the open door in that day's weather. Can't be certain though.

 

[Goldfish62]

Ive just read in Modern Railways that SWR have confirmed that the 701s will be introduced on Reading services first, ie no change from the pre Covid plan.

 

[fgwrich]

You can't really see it in the video, but I thought I caught a glimpse of someone in the cab, which might explain the open door in that day's weather. Can't be certain though.

I'd be surprised though if it was the case - after all, they do have drop down windows in the cab doors. I'm almost surprised it wasn't out of gauge running like that either.

 

[spark001uk]

The 66s have opening windows too, but I'm always seeing them driving around with the door(s) open.

 

[spark001uk]

There's a 5Q24 running around Dorset at the moment. Sounds like a 701 test but the working hasn't been activated on the system. It's definitely there on the diagram though, just left Bournemouth at 1240, heading west. Any eyes down that way?

 

[Train Boy]

There's a 5Q24 running around Dorset at the moment. Sounds like a 701 test but the working hasn't been activated on the system. It's definitely there on the diagram though, just left Bournemouth at 1240, heading west. Any eyes down that way?

Has been 2410+2420 in recent days, crew refreshers on the 442s.

 

[spark001uk]

Has been 2410+2420 in recent days, crew refreshers on the 442s.

Ah OK thanks, that was the other possibility. Not sure where we are with 701 tests then, assume theyre both (002 & 005) parked up at Eastleigh doing nothing still?

 

[Train Boy]

Another delivery on Friday (click for path), expected to be 701006.

 

[Juniper Driver]

I’ve seen some recent pictures (elsewhere) of the new trains on delivery. All I can say is “Nice train. Shame they painted it to look like a slug”. Surely SWR can do better than that for livery on spanking new trains.

Will that be their new nickname? Slug?

 

[spark001uk]

Have they actually got enough room for these to start delivering regularly? I guess the original plan was to have them approved/trained on by now, so they could start being pressed into service and predecessors displaced, but obviously everything is further delayed now.

 

[swt_passenger]

Have they actually got enough room for these to start delivering regularly? I guess the original plan was to have them approved/trained on by now, so they could start being pressed into service and predecessors displaced, but obviously everything is further delayed now.

So far some have been delivered to Eastleigh TRSMD, which isn’t a normal SWR location, presumably because it provides the temporary extra room needed?

 

[py_megapixel]

I’ve seen some recent pictures (elsewhere) of the new trains on delivery. All I can say is “Nice train. Shame they painted it to look like a slug”. Surely SWR can do better than that for livery on spanking new trains.

I mean, the unit front is shaped like a slug so there's not a huge amount that can be done about it

 

[pompeyfan]

Not sure if it’s related, but I’m sure @swt_passenger will be interested, GBRF recently confirmed they’d helped NR in bringing Eastleigh depot back into 3rd rail service;

https://twitter.com/gbrailfreight/status/1286979701223886849?s=21

GBRf were delighted to recently support #ArrivaTrainCare with the recommissioning of its 3rd rail sidings at their depot in Eastleigh. The welcome return of these sidings after 20 years will provide them with further capacity and will improve flexibility.

#RailServices

 

[swt_passenger]

Not sure if it’s related, but I’m sure @swt_passenger will be interested, GBRF recently confirmed they’d helped NR in bringing Eastleigh depot back into 3rd rail service;

Yes I noticed that, the new yellow kick boards everywhere on the airport side of the TRSMD are quite noticeable. You mentioned the work reconnecting the arrival/departure line in the SWR depot thread.

I don’t think it’s to be a long term feature of 701 stabling though.

 

[Goldfish62]

Ah OK thanks, that was the other possibility. Not sure where we are with 701 tests then, assume theyre both (002 & 005) parked up at Eastleigh doing nothing still?

According to Modern Railways, quoting SWR, testing will commence on the Reading line in August.

 

[HstFan33]

Hi All
This is the schedule for tomorrow's 701 I think

Realtime Trains - 6X24 0617 Derby Litchurch Lane to Eastleigh Trsmd

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Cheers