Confirmation of rolling stock changes at Southeastern, including 707s

[swt_passenger]

First 458/5 passenger traffic March 2014. First 707 passenger run July 2017

As you suggest, the 458/5 and 456s were a completely separate capacity increase to the 707s, and I don’t think they should really be considered as parts of one SWT project.

 

[Snow1964]

Realistically, what is the timetable for the first unit to be introduced.

701 introduction to SWR
707 lease to be released
Driver training
Timetable introduction.

Considering the May change will have already happened for the timetable December is the next change so the earliest is looking to be 8 months away. Add in Corona and I'm not holding out and reasonable introduction till at least 2021 :/

Are there not a few relatively self contained workings where they might be introduced initially. Might release a few networkers for strengthening other services or even reforming some into 3 car.

But might not be fully utilised until a timetable change in May or December 2021

 

[ComUtoR]

I'm sure there will be some kind of plan and hopefully GoVia have learned there lesson from the 700 introduction to Thameslink. You could put on on the Bromley North branch and use it for training runs. Very self contained and low impact if things go wrong.

 

[Juniper Driver]

That original newspaper clipping is confusing.

Although I knew 707's were unpopular at the start, as far as I know they became more popular because of their superior acceleration and door opening/closing times. After being used on the Windsor route many were transferred to the Shepperton route, due this route having poor performance in timekeeping with 455's.

I thought SWT and SWR wanted to keep these trains, but they had to go to South Eastern as they were destined to go there originally when the original SWT/SWR lease expired.

Also with more 707 driver training recently and the increased delay of 701's with the current situation not helping, possibly the 707's stay may be extended even longer.

I'd like to see just one rebranded in SWR livery as it looks very nice.... and perhaps a 455/458 also.

 

[Domh245]

SWR had no intention of keeping them alongside the new 701s. SouthEastern had been rumoured as their next TOC after leaving SW but it'd never been confirmed until now

 

[phil281]

If they replace anything my guess will the 377/5s. They will come back to southern boot out the 313s and extend shoulder peak services up to 12 car formations.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

If they replace anything my guess will the 377/5s. They will come back to southern boot out the 313s and extend shoulder peak services up to 12 car formations.

The 377/5's work a lot of Victoria-Canterbury West stoppers (via Maidstone) and quite a few stations can't accommodate 10-cars

 

[Fincra5]

If they replace anything my guess will the 377/5s. They will come back to southern boot out the 313s and extend shoulder peak services up to 12 car formations.

I wouldn't imagine so seeing as GTR are getting no "new" stock during the franchise. Although the DfT pull the strings. I can't imagine 707s will stray much off Metro work.

 

[Class 466]

Deleted.

 

[Deepgreen]

That’s unfair on the “Grauniad” and deeply flattering to “Rail”. I’d say Rail is more like “The Sun”: sensationalist headlines, poor journalism and weak fact checking. For that reason I’ll wait for a more reputable source to confirm the 707 story.

Indeed - there's a world of difference between 'The Guardian' with its infamous typos, and the downright factual errors so often found in the lesser rags.

 

[Ladder23]

any further news on the 707 front?

 

[supervc-10]

Well I'd presume that nothing will happen until the 701s are in service at SWR, and with the whole virus situation, who knows when that will be as staff can't be easily trained and the units themselves are being held up in delivery.

 

[rdlover777]

I'm hearing through the grapevine that a 707 is already at Slade Green awaiting testing

 

[Class 466]

I'm hearing through the grapevine that a 707 is already at Slade Green awaiting testing

Incredibly unlikely.

 

[Ted172]

I'm hearing through the grapevine that a 707 is already at Slade Green awaiting testing

That would be unlikely though. I don't think any 707s have gone to Southeastern yet as they are still in regular use by South Western Railway.

 

[ComUtoR]

SE will need at least 1 unit for training and to set up stopping points etc. Whoever is going to maintain them will also need to look over them and start training on them too.

 

[Ladder23]

Interesting if true, where is the source?

 

[rdlover777]

Interesting if true, where is the source?

someone i know who works for SE, i'll have to ask them next time i see them

 

[Snow1964]

I'm hearing through the grapevine that a 707 is already at Slade Green awaiting testing

If true, probably a temporary loan, for physical testing (timing between stations, physical check of stepping gap at each platform, any signal or monitor sighting problems).

Lot of logic in finding out now if somewhere has a rogue platform where platform edge, or something needs altering etc.

 

[spark001uk]

I noticed the other day 707030 looks to have had a coming together with something, nearside moulding under headlight is missing. Currently still running around but with that cab in the centre of a 10car. Assume that'll have to be repaired before it's handed over.
Was that the unit that struck a tree a few months back?

 

[Mikey C]

I noticed the other day 707030 looks to have had a coming together with something, nearside moulding under headlight is missing. Currently still running around but with that cab in the centre of a 10car. Assume that'll have to be repaired before it's handed over.
Was that the unit that struck a tree a few months back?

SWR will just do what people do when selling a dented car, wait until it's quite dark outside and stand in the right place so that the new owner can't see the damage

 

[ComUtoR]

someone i know who works for SE, i'll have to ask them next time i see them

I spoke to a friend of mine who is a Driver at Slade Green. Couldn't see a 707 parked anywhere.

 

[spark001uk]

707030 now has its new piece of valance. They could've cleaned the other side though. Or chucked some dirt at the new one!

 

[urpert]

Did we ever discover if one had made it to Hither Green?

 

[Mikey C]

I spoke to a friend of mine who is a Driver at Slade Green. Couldn't see a 707 parked anywhere.

The local yoof nicked it. It was last spotted doing handbrake turns around Thamesmead

 

[Class 466]

Did we ever discover if one had made it to Hither Green?

Platform end speculation at its best.