Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway: progress updates

[Mollman]

Sorry if a stupid question but what's the risk of tyre damage (if any) for units sat around in depots doing nothing, having not turned barely a wheel

Minimal I think, main issue will be to ensure the air-con is given a go every so often and that the batteries are kept topped up.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Minimal I think, main issue will be to ensure the air-con is given a go every so often and that the batteries are kept topped up.

Just what I thought but wasn't sure if wheels were meant to be turned once in a while to avoid flats

 

[Snow1964]

Ultimately Alstom will pay compensation to someone (DfT, ROSCO, TOC) in the form of either money or 'free' train or a mixture of both.

From memory there were 2 free class 357s as compensation.

Rather theoretical but with fleet twice as big, would equate to 4 extra units.

But more likely is monetary compensation or some free months/years to the servicing and maintenance agreement.

 

[Invincible]

Did the London to Poole and return 701 test go today?

Realtime Trains | 5Q51 1115 London Waterloo to Staines Up Loop | 01/08/2022

Real-time train running information for 5Q51 1115 departure from London Waterloo to Staines Up Loop on 01/08/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

is unclear?

 

[Towers]

Did the London to Poole and return 701 test go today?

Realtime Trains | 5Q51 1115 London Waterloo to Staines Up Loop | 01/08/2022

Real-time train running information for 5Q51 1115 departure from London Waterloo to Staines Up Loop on 01/08/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

is unclear?

It appears not.

 

[357]

From memory there were 2 free class 357s as compensation.

Rather theoretical but with fleet twice as big, would equate to 4 extra units.

But more likely is monetary compensation or some free months/years to the servicing and maintenance agreement.

Yes - 357045 and 357046 were free

However, I think the state of the 701 introduction is worse than the 357 introduction ever was.

 

[big_rig]

Another one of these has appeared at Clapham Junction, joining the one which has been sat on its own there for quite some time. Must have been last night it was brought in.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Another one of these has appeared at Clapham Junction, joining the one which has been sat on its own there for quite some time. Must have been last night it was brought in.

If that's the one immediately next to the long term resident 701 025 then it's 701 037.

 

[Towers]

Another one of these has appeared at Clapham Junction, joining the one which has been sat on its own there for quite some time. Must have been last night it was brought in.

There were a pair of them side by side a few days ago, I'm sure...

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

On Saturday I noticed two 701s parked alongside the usual 450s and 458s at Farnham Depot.

 

[Elorith]

Another one of these has appeared at Clapham Junction, joining the one which has been sat on its own there for quite some time. Must have been last night it was brought in.

Saw that the other day with one red tail light lit and the one on the adjacent side unlit. Now switched off with a removable lamp attached.

 

[jackot]

On Saturday I noticed two 701s parked alongside the usual 450s and 458s at Farnham Depot.

I've seen 2 701s parked there every time I've gone past the depot for the last few months.

 

[73128]

More Class 455 (5907) on the way to Sims on Friday 5th behind 37884:

Realtime Trains | 5Q76 1122 Wimbledon Park C.S.D. to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) | 05/08/2022

Real-time train running information for 5Q76 1122 departure from Wimbledon Park C.S.D. to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) on 05/08/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Must be either hoping 701s enter service, or there will be soon be a capacity problem.

 

[spark001uk]

More Class 455 (5907) on the way to Sims on Friday 5th behind 37884:
Must be either hoping 701s enter service, or there will be soon be a capacity problem.

I've seen 450s appearing on both Chessy and the new line, so looks like they're coping, for now. But yes, there will come a point where it starts getting a bit tight, at which point I imagine the 701s probably still won't be ready, so I guess they'll pause sending 455s off.
That is to say they have a choice to pause it, I may be wrong.

 

[Elorith]

More Class 455 (5907) on the way to Sims on Friday 5th behind 37884:

Realtime Trains | 5Q76 1122 Wimbledon Park C.S.D. to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) | 05/08/2022

Real-time train running information for 5Q76 1122 departure from Wimbledon Park C.S.D. to Newport Docks (Simsgroup) on 05/08/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Must be either hoping 701s enter service, or there will be soon be a capacity problem.

5907 and a number of other units have been out of use for some time now.

I've seen 450s appearing on both Chessy and the new line, so looks like they're coping, for now. But yes, there will come a point where it starts getting a bit tight, at which point I imagine the 701s probably still won't be ready, so I guess they'll pause sending 455s off.
That is to say they have a choice to pause it, I may be wrong.

Those Desiro units have been moved back to the mainline so all back to 455s on Chessington, New Guildford, and Woking stopping services now. I understand that the fleet size will stay at 83 for now.

 

[fgwrich]

701017 seems to be the unit of choice at the moment, having worked Eastleigh to Staines and back over the last 2 days.

 

[spark001uk]

Interesting. Noticed these three STP in for today, though the first is now showing canned so they probably all are. First time they've booked this route?

5Q55 0612 Eastleigh Trsmd to Portsmouth Harbour
5Q56 0942 Portsmouth Harbour to Portsmouth Harbour
5Q57 1314 Portsmouth Harbour to Staines Up Loop

 

[BRblue33]

701048 Out on test yesterday . Seen at Eastleigh.

 

[800001]

701038 out today, Eastleigh to Southampton, to Waterloo and back to Eastleigh

 

[Nicks]

701038 out today, Eastleigh to Southampton, to Waterloo and back to Eastleigh

Saw today at Surbiton with Poole on the destination indicator. Interestingly it stopped and opened it's doors - there are signs in every open door entrance saying do not board train is being tested.

 

[Goldfish62]

Saw today at Surbiton with Poole on the destination indicator. Interestingly it stopped and opened it's doors - there are signs in every open door entrance saying do not board train is being tested.

Yes, that's standard on them.

 

[DennisM]

Yes, that's standard on them.

Noticed over the last few weeks the signs blocking doorways are no longer SWR branded but alstom instead. Not sure if it’s indicative of a step backwards I’m terms of acceptance into service, or just down to the fact the SWR ones were oversized/unreadable so more of a trip hazard than anything for anyone attempting to board.

 

[hwl]

Noticed over the last few weeks the signs blocking doorways are no longer SWR branded but alstom instead. Not sure if it’s indicative of a step backwards I’m terms of acceptance into service, or just down to the fact the SWR ones were oversized/unreadable so more of a trip hazard than anything for anyone attempting to board.

Or
1. that SWR only ordered (or already had from previously) a limited number are more are now required becasue of the the units potentially in testing so heading towards needing most / all units to have them

2. It was noticed that the weren't fit for purpose and they were replaced

3. Both 1&2

We don't know and would probably read too much into the change.

 

[nlogax]

Noticed over the last few weeks the signs blocking doorways are no longer SWR branded but alstom instead. Not sure if it’s indicative of a step backwards I’m terms of acceptance into service, or just down to the fact the SWR ones were oversized/unreadable so more of a trip hazard than anything for anyone attempting to board.

Are these just newer units receiving the Alstom branding during testing or is this happening to all of them?

 

[Energy]

Are these just newer units receiving the Alstom branding during testing or is this happening to all of them?

Ita not the units but the pieces of fabric used to block the doors off during testing (allows them to make sure the doors open without people getting on)

 

[nlogax]

Ita not the units but the pieces of fabric used to block the doors off during testing (allows them to make sure the doors open without people getting on)

Presumably these are attached to the doorways though? I figured they're not part of the units themselves.

 

[Energy]

Presumably these are attached to the doorways though? I figured they're not part of the units themselves.

Yes, here is an example on the Greater Anglia 720s.

 

[nlogax]

Yes, here is an example on the Greater Anglia 755s.

Without wanting to appear more snarky than I already am I feel permanently attaching those to 701 doorways would be extremely appropriate.

 

[Snow1964]

701048 Out on test yesterday . Seen at Eastleigh.

701038 out today, Eastleigh to Southampton, to Waterloo and back to Eastleigh

If unit 48 is now out and about, how many are missing out of the 60 10car versions ?

 

[43102EMR]

Yes, here is an example on the Greater Anglia 755s.
View attachment 119186

I don’t mean to be “that guy”, but isn’t that a 720?