Class 707 - SWT: Introduction into service

[GW43125]

Just seen a 707 at Wimbledon Depot about to go out on a test, didn't see the unit number however.

A photo I've seen on Farcebook suggests it's 707005 come down on this path: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Q29762/2017/02/06/advanced
Appears to be coming back in this path: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Q29890/2017/02/06/advanced

 

[Bigfoot]

There are a number of paths scheduled in every day for testing and driver training. All 5QXX if memory serves.

 

[BRX]

The two new sets that have been sitting at Dollands Moor since last week were taken to clapham last night.

 

[800001]

The two new sets that have been sitting at Dollands Moor since last week were taken to clapham last night.

The 2 new units are sat in yard, with another single unit sat next to it, the remaining 3 are sat under cover on the shed.

 

[Deepgreen]

Just happened to be a Clapham Junction an hour or so ago, and there were four units dotted singly around the yard (three in the shed) and two (coupled) which were standing in the washing road towards London when I arrived, and which left via the Windsor side on what I assume is a test/training run. Shots attached.

Interestingly it headed onto the main line running only on marker lights.

 

[pompeyfan]

Just happened to be a Clapham Junction an hour or so ago, and there were four units dotted singly around the yard (three in the shed) and two (coupled) which were standing in the washing road towards London when I arrived, and which left via the Windsor side on what I assume is a test/training run. Shots attached.

Interestingly it headed onto the main line running only on marker lights.

Marker lights only until consist is on the mainline usually. The Basingstoke stoppers in and out of Basingstoke down sidings are a good example.

 

[fairysdad]

Just happened to be a Clapham Junction an hour or so ago, and there were four units dotted singly around the yard (three in the shed) and two (coupled) which were standing in the washing road towards London when I arrived, and which left via the Windsor side on what I assume is a test/training run. Shots attached.

Interestingly it headed onto the main line running only on marker lights.

Also interestingly, minutes after you posted this (at around 1535), I saw 707003 in the Wimbledon depot. (Alas, no photos - was taken by surprise, couldn't get my phone, and a Waterloo-bound service did get in the way for most of my view of it!)

 

[Deepgreen]

Marker lights only until consist is on the mainline usually. The Basingstoke stoppers in and out of Basingstoke down sidings are a good example.

That's what I had thought, but it was running through platform 6 at Clapham Junction on markers only. I imagine they were switched on almost immediately afterwards. It was so noticeable because the 700s' headlights are extremely bright and their absence on this 707 formation was striking.

 

[Deepgreen]

Also interestingly, minutes after you posted this (at around 1535), I saw 707003 in the Wimbledon depot. (Alas, no photos - was taken by surprise, couldn't get my phone, and a Waterloo-bound service did get in the way for most of my view of it!)

Therefore, I assume the formation must have gone via East Putney to Wimbledon depot. It was impossible for me to tell whether it was a test or driver training run.

 

[Monty]

Therefore, I assume the formation must have gone via East Putney to Wimbledon depot. It was impossible for me to tell whether it was a test or driver training run.

Via Strawberry Hill if I remember correctly.

 

[Deepgreen]

Via Strawberry Hill if I remember correctly.

Ah - that would make sense, especially if it was a training run. Thanks.

 

[spark001uk]

In addition to Wimbledon/Strawberry Hill etc there's some paths involving Ascot and Reading, and also Staines - Clapham Yd via Weybridge too.
There's a few vids popping up on Youtube already.

These are all the likely workings I've found so far as of today. I think a few of them could be either/or paths, for example Mon and Tue this week they took 5Q53 out, but today they used 5Q51 instead.

5Q31 0845 Clapham Yd Sidings - Reading 1035 (via Richmond)

5Q32 1052 Reading - Staines Up Loop 1145
5Q34 1252 Reading - Staines Up Loop 1345
5Q37 1522 Reading - Staines Up Loop 1609

5Q38 1623 Staines Up Loop - Ascot 1648
5Q39 1657 Ascot - Staines Up Loop 1719
5Q40 1740 Staines Up Loop - Clapham Yd Sidings 1839 (via Weybridge)

==

5Q56 0942 Wimbledon Pk Depot Sdgs - Clapham Yd Sidings 1013
5Q51 1145 Clapham Yd Sidings - Wimbledon Pk Depot Sdgs 1324
5Q52 1410 Wimbledon Pk Depot Sdgs - Clapham Yd Sidings 1442

5Q53 1331 Clapham Yd Sidings - Wimbledon Pk Depot Sdgs 1524

5Q58 1741 Wimbledon Pk Depot Sdgs - Clapham Yd Sidings 1809
5Q54 2124 Wimbledon Pk Depot Sdgs - Clapham Yd Sidings 2200
5Q59 2149 Wimbledon Pk Depot Sdgs - Clapham Yd 2205

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Will many of the drivers that will sign the 707s currently sign either 444s or 450s?

 

[Monty]

Will many of the drivers that will sign the 707s currently sign either 444s or 450s?

All drivers bar Salisbury depot (though there is a small link that do sign electrics) sign 450/444s, they are treated as one type of train as far as competence goes.

 

[spark001uk]

Just seen these Reading paths listed as STP running on 11/02/17 only. Sounds promising? Not sure if it's just some or all of them that are intended to run, if any?

5Q71 0915 Clapham Yard Sidings - Reading 1045 (via Richmond)
5Q72 1055 Reading - Staines Up Loop 1147
5Q73 1225 Staines Up Loop - Reading 1315
5Q74 1325 Reading - Staines Up Loop 1416
5Q75 1425 Staines Up Loop - Reading 1515
5Q76 1525 Reading - Staines Up Loop 1616
5Q77 1625 Staines Up Loop - Reading 1715
5Q78 1725 Reading - Staines Up Loop 1815
5Q79 1855 Staines Up Loop - Clapham Yard Sidings 2038 (via Weybridge)

 

[3973EXL]

just seen these reading paths listed as stp running on 11/02/17 only. Sounds promising? Not sure if it's just some or all of them that are intended to run, if any?

5q71 0915 clapham yard sidings - reading 1045 (via richmond)
5q72 1055 reading - staines up loop 1147
5q73 1225 staines up loop - reading 1315
5q74 1325 reading - staines up loop 1416
5q75 1425 staines up loop - reading 1515
5q76 1525 reading - staines up loop 1616
5q77 1625 staines up loop - reading 1715
5q78 1725 reading - staines up loop 1815
5q79 1855 staines up loop - clapham yard sidings 2038 (via weybridge)

5q71 707003 & 707005

 

[WWTownEnth]

Anyone know when the next units are due to be delivered to Clapham Yard?

Are we yet into the two units delivered per fortnight routine that was implied by some earlier posts?

 

[spark001uk]

Done a quick vid of their first visit down the Chertsey branch.

[youtube]6Ryl2OQPAqU[/youtube]

 

[pompeyfan]

Didn't realise how similar sounding they were to their classic cousins. They appear to fly when opened up, even on third rail, are these mileage accumulation trips? Also, why did they get a whole new class number, why not 700/5s for example. Are there that many differences between 700s and 707s?

 

[jopsuk]

Didn't realise how similar sounding they were to their classic cousins. They appear to fly when opened up, even on third rail, are these mileage accumulation trips? Also, why did they get a whole new class number, why not 700/5s for example. Are there that many differences between 700s and 707s?

They're 5-car, no toilets and other than two for proving purposes won't have pantographs. They're 707 for the same reasons that Class 321 and 322 are different classes.

The third Desiro City fleet, the ones for the Moorgate line, will be class 717, but they'll be 6 car, dual voltage operation and have an emergency door in the cab ends.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Didn't realise how similar sounding they were to their classic cousins. They appear to fly when opened up, even on third rail, are these mileage accumulation trips? Also, why did they get a whole new class number, why not 700/5s for example. Are there that many differences between 700s and 707s?

Possibly because they've not got bogs on board, their 5 coach compared with 8 and 12 coach TL/GN units and they'll be running permanently in DC mode

 

[pompeyfan]

Fair point to all responses, I guess I was just comparing them mentally to the 377 family where there's such a variety of configurations in one class number.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Fair point to all responses, I guess I was just comparing them mentally to the 377 family where there's such a variety of configurations in one class number.

Yes the 707s are arguably different enough to warrant their own class number. The irony is that the 377/6 and 377/7 subclasses should not really be 377s !. They come somewhere between a 379 and a 387 in terms of similarities. There is a different thread with some comment on that somewhere.

 

[Class377/5]

Yes the 707s are arguably different enough to warrant their own class number. The irony is that the 377/6 and 377/7 subclasses should not really be 377s !. They come somewhere between a 379 and a 387 in terms of similarities. There is a different thread with some comment on that somewhere.

377/6 and /7 are compatible with all other 377s hence the classification where as the 387s aren't.

The numbers of trains means nothing today. Desiro Cities will be 700/707/717 with Aventra being 345/710. The latter makes even less sense, even if the latter is historical.

 

[spark001uk]

Yes the 707s are arguably different enough to warrant their own class number. The irony is that the 377/6 and 377/7 subclasses should not really be 377s !. They come somewhere between a 379 and a 387 in terms of similarities. There is a different thread with some comment on that somewhere.

Yes, I recently made a comment on the Class 387 thread about the 379s being almost identical externally* and internally**, but with SO much more comfortable seats! So much so that I try to include a couple of Tott Hale StanEx runs whenever I rinse a Travelcard!

*Externally as in general cosmetic appearance of the train viewed from a passenger's perspective.
**Internally as in general cosmetic appearance of the passenger interior of the train.

 

[Class377/5]

Yes, I recently made a comment on the Class 387 thread about the 379s being almost identical externally and internally, but with SO much more comfortable seats! So much so that I try to include a couple of Tott Hale StanEx runs whenever I rinse a Travelcard!

Don't confuse bodyshell as the be all and end all of. There a massive different between tech inside the train you won't see. They may look the similar but the tech running them is massively different.

 

[spark001uk]

Don't confuse bodyshell as the be all and end all of. There a massive different between tech inside the train you won't see. They may look the similar but the tech running them is massively different.

Eh? Where on earth am I "confusing the bodyshell" or indeed making it the be all and end all of anything? I said ALMOST identical outside and in, as in cosmetically obviously!

 

[Class377/5]

Eh? Where on earth am I "confusing the bodyshell" or indeed making it the be all and end all of anything? I said ALMOST identical outside and in, as in cosmetically obviously!

Actually you didn't.

Almost identical externally and internally,

I was objecting to that statement.

 

[spark001uk]

Actually you didn't.

I was objecting to that statement.

OK I feel I need to say this - just politely - I (and I probably also speak for many) do value your input, and you do contribute a lot of helpful information on the forums, which is most welcome.

However - as time goes by, one thing I'm seeing more and more of over the various threads I'm in; and I'm not the only one who's noticing it, is that it's becoming quite apparent that others are perhaps right when they say you do have a strong tendancy to scold and/or jump up and down on people's comments. I'm no mod by any means, and I stress this post is purely an observation not an attack (I don't believe two wrongs make a right), the intention is just to appeal to your calmer nature and be taken on board.

As I say, it's meant in the nicest way. Chill, have a beer or something!

.

 

[Deepgreen]

OK I feel I need to say this - just politely - I (and I probably also speak for many) do value your input, and you do contribute a lot of helpful information on the forums, which is most welcome.

However - as time goes by, one thing I'm seeing more and more of over the various threads I'm in; and I'm not the only one who's noticing it, is that it's becoming quite apparent that others are perhaps right when they say you do have a strong tendancy to scold and/or jump up and down on people's comments. I'm no mod by any means, and I stress this post is purely an observation not an attack (I don't believe two wrongs make a right), the intention is just to appeal to your calmer nature and be taken on board.

As I say, it's meant in the nicest way. Chill, have a beer or something!

.

It's been noticed and mentioned (by me, among others).