Class 707 to Southeastern Dates

[Timmyd]

DorkingMain said:


the 458s being disposed of first because of the state they're in


So what state have the 458's got into then? They seem fine to me. I know some were taken out of traffic but I won't say why.
I heard yet another railway rumour that they were going to Southern but am not sure how true this is although it was a reliable source.
The motors are fine and not isolated unlike when they were first converted into 5 car units and the brakes work fine.

I've had no trouble with 458's (Even with their eccentric computer operating system) long may it continue.

From a passenger point of view, the level of comfort on the 458s is streets ahead of any other suburban train operated by SWR. I imagine I’m not the only traveller much happier to see one come along rather than the spartan and uncomfortable 707s

 

[Goldfish62]

From a passenger point of view, the level of comfort on the 458s is streets ahead of any other suburban train operated by SWR. I imagine I’m not the only traveller much happier to see one come along rather than the spartan and uncomfortable 707s

The 707s are at an immediate disadvantage of course because they've got the worst version of ironing board seats. Also the legroom is appalling.

I do however like the trains for their open design and very nippy performance.

 

[Juniper Driver]

I like the 707's. I've travelled pass on them quite a few times and the fact that they are easier to walk through as opposed to other trains. Yup not so sure of the legroom as I'm quite tall but that's not the only train like that.The Seat doesn't bother me too much. People put their feet all over them anyway which is not good.

 

[43096]

From a passenger point of view, the level of comfort on the 458s is streets ahead of any other suburban train operated by SWR. I imagine I’m not the only traveller much happier to see one come along rather than the spartan and uncomfortable 707s

Agreed. The longer it takes to get the Aventras into service, the better.

 

[Mikey C]

I like the 707's. I've travelled pass on them quite a few times and the fact that they are easier to walk through as opposed to other trains. Yup not so sure of the legroom as I'm quite tall but that's not the only train like that.The Seat doesn't bother me too much. People put their feet all over them anyway which is not good.

The price of that wide gangway is that the seats are narrow and squashed up against the wall

A normal sized person sitting on the window seat will sprawl into the aisle seat, especially with the intrusive heating ducts stealing footroom, meaning that the aisle person will be sprawling into the aisle. It's especially bad with winter coats...

 

[Goldfish62]

The price of that wide gangway is that the seats are narrow and squashed up against the wall

A normal sized person sitting on the window seat will sprawl into the aisle seat, especially with the intrusive heating ducts stealing footroom, meaning that the aisle person will be sprawling into the aisle. It's especially bad with winter coats...

Yes, something that Ian Walmsley raises regularly in Modern Railways, but the people at the DfT just don't understand.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

The original plan was a complete replacement of the networker fleet. Due to the franchise being kicked into touch numerous times it never happened. SE has/had capacity issues and additional trains are vital to the future of... well since covid its anybodys guess now.

That wasn't a franchise requirement but an expected outcome of the franchise bidding process as the scoring was favourable to bidders proposing such a solution.

Considering the 376s still have threadbare Connex seat covers I think we might be waiting some time.

With limited use they are getting they won't need to worry about internal refurbishment for a while!

 

[43096]

Yes, something that Ian Walmsley raises regularly in Modern Railways, but the people at the DfT just don't understand.

Which is another reason why the 458s are so good. The seats have a spacer between them which makes a huge difference in terms of room at shoulder level. Who specified that gap? Ian Walmsley!

 

[Mikey C]

Which is another reason why the 458s are so good. The seats have a spacer between them which makes a huge difference in terms of room at shoulder level. Who specified that gap? Ian Walmsley!

The seats themselves might be questionable, but the 376s have plenty of room for seated passengers plus lots of space for standees as well. Plus they don't have the intrusive heater duct

 

[urpert]

Agreed. Considering the 376s were quite experimental (though obviously led to the development of the 378) I think they got a lot right with the interiors.

 

[mic505]

DorkingMain said:


the 458s being disposed of first because of the state they're in


So what state have the 458's got into then? They seem fine to me. I know some were taken out of traffic but I won't say why.
I heard yet another railway rumour that they were going to Southern but am not sure how true this is although it was a reliable source.
The motors are fine and not isolated unlike when they were first converted into 5 car units and the brakes work fine.

I've had no trouble with 458's (Even with their eccentric computer operating system) long may it continue.

Can you confirm the source, regarding 458/5's cascaded to Southern?

 

[Energy]

Can you confirm the source, regarding 458/5's cascaded to Southern?

Its a rumour. Nothing confirmed happening.

 

[Goldfish62]

There does appear to be a reduction in the number of 707 diagrams from Monday. 24 sets booked in service each weekday. As a result the majority of Windsor services will now be 455s.

I'm on a 707 Windsor-bound right now.

 

[hwl]

Yes, something that Ian Walmsley raises regularly in Modern Railways, but the people at the DfT just don't understand.

They did learn by the time the wrote the non cancelled SE tender docs.

 

[TEW]

I'm on a 707 Windsor-bound right now.

There are still 2 pairs that have booked Windsor work, but there are 4 pairs of 455s with Windsor work. 4 out of 5 diagrams are 455 for much of the day now.

 

[Goldfish62]

There are still 2 pairs that have booked Windsor work, but there are 4 pairs of 455s with Windsor work. 4 out of 5 diagrams are 455 for much of the day now.

Thanks. I was obviously lucky!

 

[Aictos]

Can you confirm the source, regarding 458/5's cascaded to Southern?

I too would like confirmation please, as to the 707s would it be a safe bet that they would enter service in May 2021 or could they enter service earlier bearing in mind training needs etc?

 

[hwl]

I too would like confirmation please, as to the 707s would it be a safe bet that they would enter service in May 2021 or could they enter service earlier bearing in mind training needs etc?

Not much point for SE to use them for passengers services until large numbers are ready to leave SWR i.e. 701s in service

 

[Bald Rick]

I will eat my hat if they enter service in anything other than the red livery with Southeastern stickers.

You might regret writing that on a public forum. Just in case, make sure your hat is tasty.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Dec 2020 ==

I too would like confirmation please, as to the 707s would it be a safe bet that they would enter service in May 2021 or could they enter service earlier bearing in mind training needs etc?

Next to no chance for May. Given the number of 701s coming, and the training required, I’d be surprised if they were in much before the Autumn. Refer to Informed Sources 3rd law.

 

[ComUtoR]

I too would like confirmation please, as to the 707s would it be a safe bet that they would enter service in May 2021 or could they enter service earlier bearing in mind training needs etc?

You aren't that far off

 

[WarrenTManager]

I will eat my hat if they enter service in anything other than the red livery with Southeastern stickers.Ne

Sauce for your hat, Sir?

 

[Juniper Driver]

Its a rumour. Nothing confirmed happening.

Correct yet another railway rumour that flies around sometimes they are right, and sometimes they are wrong.

 

[Aictos]

You aren't that far off

The reason I'm thinking of a earlier introduction is to keep them in captive diagrams, a bit like the Class 700s were gradually introduced with the Class 319s and 387s running alongside for a while until both latter fleets were cascaded.

 

[Juniper Driver]

707026 and 707025 ten car down Reading Road yesterday as was 707020.

Also, I had my first 707 working down there.

 

[Horizon22]

Interestingly, Southeastern are hiring a 707 Fleet Manager "To oversee all class 707 technical investigations that are required following an operational issue to ensure root cause is established and actions are put in place to grow the reliability of the 707 fleet.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Interestingly, Southeastern are hiring a 707 Fleet Manager "To oversee all class 707 technical investigations that are required following an operational issue to ensure root cause is established and actions are put in place to grow the reliability of the 707 fleet.

They've been fine to me in the last three plus years I've driven them...Sad to see them go.

 

[JammyJames08]

Don’t shoot the messenger, apparently a pair of 707s are being delivered to grove park diesel hauled, on Saturday 9th January.

 

[samuelmorris]

Interestingly, Southeastern are hiring a 707 Fleet Manager "To oversee all class 707 technical investigations that are required following an operational issue to ensure root cause is established and actions are put in place to grow the reliability of the 707 fleet.

Grow the reliability of one of the most reliable fleets in the country? I mean, never stop striving for excellence, but I'm not sure I understand that.

 

[ComUtoR]

Grow the reliability of one of the most reliable fleets in the country? I mean, never stop striving for excellence, but I'm not sure I understand that.

Where did they come in the recent golden spanner awards ?

Don’t shoot the messenger, apparently a pair of 707s are being delivered to grove park diesel hauled, on Saturday 9th January.

ROGs (Rail Operations Group) are bringing it over.

 

[Goldfish62]

Grow the reliability of one of the most reliable fleets in the country? I mean, never stop striving for excellence, but I'm not sure I understand that.

Perhaps the engineering team is not as competent as the one at SWR's Wimbledon depot.

We all know that the 707s have easily been the most reliable of all the software-based new trains and are actually better than many older type units.