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

[OneTrackMinded]

A shorter training 701 course with Driver Open Guard Close DOGC is being introduced, although SWR still desire to run with Driver Open Driver Close DODC in the future. The amended courses start in a couple of weeks, with DOGC as the method of operation the week after.

Hopefully this speeds up the introduction, or at least means the existing diagrams can be run more reliably with more drivers available.

 

[MrJeeves]

Except they are required to do that on SWR anyway even when drivers are closing the doors.

Do they have to peer outside and dodge the closing door, or do they retain local door control similar to non-safety-critical Southern OBS staff?

 

[TEW]

So they have to be at a control panel even if they're not going to operate it?

Required to operate a local door at each station and check for any assistance requirements on the platform.

 

[MrJeeves]

Required to operate a local door at each station and check for any assistance requirements on the platform.

They're effectively just like GTR on-board supervisors at that point!

 

[TEW]

Do they have to peer outside and dodge the closing door, or do they retain local door control similar to non-safety-critical Southern OBS staff?

Have to operate a local door at each station. The driver is required to check it is operated and wait for it to be deactivated prior to starting the dispatch process.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jan 2025 ==

They're effectively just like GTR on-board supervisors at that point!

If DCO were operating it was a similar set up, although with the ability to revert to guard dispatch as required, which has now morphed in to everywhere, for now at least.

 

[Goldfish62]

Hopefully this speeds up the introduction, or at least means the existing diagrams can be run more reliably with more drivers available.

Hopefully a bit of both!

 

[43066]

Surely the advantage of DO/DC is to the passengers and the train operator? It means that the on-board staff (whatever job title they have been given) isn't taken away from what, in 2025, are their core tasks - revenue protection and all forms of passenger assistance - to get to a the control panel.

The core task of the guard role is safety, ahead of anything else. That hasn’t changed, irrespective of what year it is.

 

[InOban]

obviously if a situation arises safety takes priority over everything else. But the majority of their time?

 

[Goldfish62]

How many 701s are in service today does anyone know? All 6 or not?

 

[JonathanH]

How many 701s are in service today does anyone know? All 6 or not?

5. Not 701037.

 

[norbitonflyer]

How many 701s are in service today does anyone know? All 6 or not?

All three all-day diagrams are being run, and according to RTT there were five out in this morning peak - 701037 being the missing one, although it could still appear on one of the evening diagrams. [EDIT- it didn't]

The morning Shepperton-via-Richmond diagram (2H90 etc) didn't happen: "problem with the train crew"

 

[Cowley]

No more DOO discussions in this thread please. I think we all know how that tends to work out and it’ll only end up pulling things off topic.

Thanks

 

[SWT_USER]

Had a ride on one earlier, I was a bit surprised that the superior acceleration didn't lead to us making up any of the delay caused by the speed restriction at Richmond (when is that due to be fixed?).

 

[Goldfish62]

Had a ride on one earlier, I was a bit surprised that the superior acceleration didn't lead to us making up any of the delay caused by the speed restriction at Richmond (when is that due to be fixed?).

That severe restriction (walking pace) seems to be costing around a couple of minutes. It must be playing havoc in the AM Peak. There'd have to be a lot accelerating between there and Waterloo to make up any meaningful time!

 

[swr444]

That severe restriction (walking pace) seems to be costing around a couple of minutes. It must be playing havoc in the AM Peak. There'd have to be a lot accelerating between there and Waterloo to make up any meaningful time!

It’s a 5mph emergency restriction due to something coming off the point work. Knowing network rail it’ll take a while to fix. There’s 3 AWS faults on the “new and reliable” BEF signalling system between reading and twickenham too which doesn’t help things.

 

[Goldfish62]

It’s a 5mph emergency restriction due to something coming off the point work. Knowing network rail it’ll take a while to fix. There’s 3 AWS faults on the “new and reliable” BEF signalling system between reading and twickenham too which doesn’t help things.

Ah yes, I'm assuming one of these is between Whitton and Twickenham? Looking on OpenTrainTimes there's a signal which appears to have become approach-controlled which needn't be. Trains slow right down before it clears.

In the down direction since the resignalling trains seem to lose time being brought to a halt before Staines even though there's nothing in front.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Ah yes, I'm assuming one of these is between Whitton and Twickenham? Looking on OpenTrainTimes there's a signal which appears to have become approach-controlled which needn't be. Trains slow right down before it clears.

In the down direction since the resignalling trains seem to lose time being brought to a halt before Staines even though there's nothing in front.

Yeah that signal has been reported multiple times but nothing fixed as of the moment.

 

[swr444]

Ah yes, I'm assuming one of these is between Whitton and Twickenham? Looking on OpenTrainTimes there's a signal which appears to have become approach-controlled which needn't be. Trains slow right down before it clears.

In the down direction since the resignalling trains seem to lose time being brought to a halt before Staines even though there's nothing in front.

that's one of them yes, another one is the platform signal at ascot towards sunningdale and the signal just after reading towards Earley, they're all approach controlled. there's also a fault on the home signal into shepperton.

 

[Goldfish62]

that's one of them yes, another one is the platform signal at ascot towards sunningdale and the signal just after reading towards Earley, they're all approach controlled. there's also a fault on the home signal into shepperton.

Thanks. Yes, I'd noticed the Reading one as well.

 

[norbitonflyer]

How many 701s are in service today does anyone know? All 6 or not?

All six this morning

 

[3973EXL]

701030

Realtime Trains | 5Q87 0920 Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston | 07/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q87 0920 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston on 07/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[OneTrackMinded]

All six this morning

When’s the last time we’ve had all 6? Always seems like it’s only 4 or 3. Hopefully a sign of increased driver availability

 

[swr444]

701042 working 5T91 from Waterloo to Guildford via cobham PTI run

 

[mansonlo49]

701030

Realtime Trains | 5Q87 0920 Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston | 07/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q87 0920 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston on 07/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

there‘s one heading to Derby LL tomorrow, assume that’s why they tow one away to LM today

 

[3973EXL]

0V74 5Q74 Caped

Realtime Trains | 0V74 0346 Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf | 08/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 0V74 0346 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf on 08/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q74 0942 Long Marston Gbrf to Derby Litchurch Lane | 08/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q74 0942 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Derby Litchurch Lane on 08/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0V87 5Q87/Q88 Caped
VSTP 5Q74 Derby Lit

Realtime Trains | 5Q74 0942 Long Marston Gbrf to Derby Litchurch Lane | 09/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q74 0942 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Derby Litchurch Lane on 09/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 0V87 0611 Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf | 09/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 0V87 0611 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf on 09/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q87 1234 Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard | 09/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q87 1234 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard on 09/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q88 1833 Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 09/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q88 1833 departure from Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 09/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0Z90 5Q87 Caped

Realtime Trains | 0Z90 2120 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Eastleigh Trsmd | 09/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Z90 2120 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Eastleigh Trsmd on 09/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q87 0920 Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston Gbrf | 10/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q87 0920 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston Gbrf on 10/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[wickham]

5Q87 and 5Q88 (above) movements 09.01.25 would appear to be the same unit. I wonder why they are doing it like this - most odd !

 

[norbitonflyer]

When’s the last time we’ve had all 6? Always seems like it’s only 4 or 3. Hopefully a sign of increased driver availability

5th and 18th December seem to have been the only previous dates six have been out, but on both occasions one of the morning Shepperton diagrams didn't happen.

 

[mansonlo49]

Realtime Trains | 0V74 0346 Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf | 08/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 0V74 0346 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf on 08/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q74 0942 Long Marston Gbrf to Derby Litchurch Lane | 08/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q74 0942 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Derby Litchurch Lane on 08/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 0V87 0611 Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf | 09/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 0V87 0611 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf on 09/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q87 1234 Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard | 09/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q87 1234 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard on 09/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q88 1833 Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 09/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q88 1833 departure from Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 09/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 0Z90 2120 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Eastleigh Trsmd | 09/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Z90 2120 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Eastleigh Trsmd on 09/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q87 0920 Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston Gbrf | 10/01/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q87 0920 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston Gbrf on 10/01/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

0V74 still haven't been activated yet

 

[45076]

0V74 still haven't been activated yet

Now showing as cancelled on RTT

 

[SWT_USER]

It’s a 5mph emergency restriction due to something coming off the point work. Knowing network rail it’ll take a while to fix. There’s 3 AWS faults on the “new and reliable” BEF signalling system between reading and twickenham too which doesn’t help things.

The issue at Richmond seems to have been resolved thankfully.

Unfortunately 8 cancellations on the Windsors today and 6 on Shepperton. SWR still unable to reliably deliver the few 701 diagrams they are trying to run Happy new year.