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

[adc82140]

Quite a bit of work still to do then.

 

[WarrenTManager]

Anyone know when the next 701 software update might be? The PIDs still say “TfL Rail”….

No date yet.

All the proposed changes (and there are hundreds) need review, sign off by many parties and testing. I know it probably burns your eyes to see that because I've seen moans about it before but the main focus are changes that improve the reliability and availability surely.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

No date yet.

All the proposed changes (and there are hundreds) need review, sign off by many parties and testing. I know it probably burns your eyes to see that because I've seen moans about it before but the main focus are changes that improve the reliability and availability surely.

I'm more keen to see the next 701 software update kill off the unbearably soft and infantile New Celia recordings, rather than what they call the Elizabeth line

 

[SWT_USER]

Although it's worth noting that except during high peaks, the Hounslow loop is already now completely rid of un-airconditioned, toiletless, knackered old 455s. I'll grant you that a 701 will boost capacity on a busy pair of 458s, though.

I can't imagine Guildford to Farnham/Alton needing 701s any time soon, and Ascot to Aldershot will only be required for two trains per day already free of 455s. Chertsey is also 95% 458/4 so not huge urgency for these.

Surely Surbiton to Woking and to Guildford via Cobham will be the pressing clearances now.

Only because they are unable to run them on Weybridge services and SWR (as was) cut the all day Hounslow rounders.

Agree on the Guildford to Ascot services - these are probably good candidates for the 5 car 701's once they eventually enter service.

 

[D365]

All the proposed changes (and there are hundreds) need review, sign off by many parties and testing. I know it probably burns your eyes to see that because I've seen moans about it before but the main focus are changes that improve the reliability and availability surely.

Absolutely, and as your comment alludes to, improving unit availability is exactly what the engineering teams are focussing on.

 

[mansonlo49]

Surbiton to Guildford via Woking and surbiton to effingham junction. Virginia water to chertsey and Byfleet and new haw.
Also Guildford to Farnham/alton and the ascot to aldershot branches.

I’ve got the Arterio network map here, so most of the stations operated by 701 now?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Agree on the Guildford to Ascot services - these are probably good candidates for the 5 car 701's once they eventually enter service.

Do you think? I personally doubt they’ll use 5 car 701s on the shuttles.

Ascot to Aldershot and Farnham to Guildford are currently run by four carriage 450s which seem the best fit as Bagshot, Camberley, Frimley, Ash and Wanborough (every intermediate station except Ash Vale) can all only take about four carriages.

The route is also not really busy enough to benefit from the Metro style layout, nor is it tightly timed enough that the Desiro door cycle causes delays. Farnham to Guildford also has First Class in operation.

The current two trains per day between London Waterloo and Aldershot via Ascot which have always been 8-450 with the odd pair of 458/5s, are probably the only 701 services the Ascot to Aldershot branch will see, using SDO at Bagshot, Camberley and Frimley as now.

 

[SWT_USER]

Do you think? I personally doubt they’ll use 5 car 701s on the shuttles.

Ascot to Aldershot and Farnham to Guildford are currently run by four carriage 450s which seem the best fit as Bagshot, Camberley, Frimley, Ash and Wanborough (every intermediate station except Ash Vale) can all only take about four carriages.

The route is also not really busy enough to benefit from the Metro style layout, nor is it tightly timed enough that the Desiro door cycle causes delays. Farnham to Guildford also has First Class in operation.

The current two trains per day between London Waterloo and Aldershot via Ascot which have always been 8-450 with the odd pair of 458/5s, are probably the only 701 services the Ascot to Aldershot branch will see, using SDO at Bagshot, Camberley and Frimley as now.

Possibly but as I understand it there is now a surplus of 701's and the leases on the Desiro stock is up fairly soon? In which case we could see 5 car 701's which are being paid for anyway take the place of 450's going off lease.

 

[Mainsideman]

Possibly but as I understand it there is now a surplus of 701's and the leases on the Desiro stock is up fairly soon? In which case we could see 5 car 701's which are being paid for anyway take the place of 450's going off lease.

When exactly is the desiro stock lease up?

 

[swr444]

Looks like this diagram is going 701 next week

No.1: 701 Diagram
Starts at Clapham Sidings - 5O05 -> 2O05 -> 2K09 -> 2O17 -> 2K21 -> 2O29 -> 2K33 -> 2O41 -> 2K45 -> 2V53 -> 5V53 - Ends At Feltham Depot

 

[NSEWonderer]

Looks like this diagram is going 701 next week

No.1: 701 Diagram
Starts at Clapham Sidings - 5O05 -> 2O05 -> 2K09 -> 2O17 -> 2K21 -> 2O29 -> 2K33 -> 2O41 -> 2K45 -> 2V53 -> 5V53 - Ends At Feltham Depot

Oh? I thought it was live? I know there is a 701 that comes back to Feltham as 5V53. Right now 701039 as of current.

Ah never mind I notice its only the 2V53 and 5V53 part currently picked up as the previous journey was 2U52. Good news that, only about 4 diagrams left after this one.

 

[Bigfoot]

Do you think? I personally doubt they’ll use 5 car 701s on the shuttles.

Ascot to Aldershot and Farnham to Guildford are currently run by four carriage 450s which seem the best fit as Bagshot, Camberley, Frimley, Ash and Wanborough (every intermediate station except Ash Vale) can all only take about four carriages.

The route is also not really busy enough to benefit from the Metro style layout, nor is it tightly timed enough that the Desiro door cycle causes delays. Farnham to Guildford also has First Class in operation.

The current two trains per day between London Waterloo and Aldershot via Ascot which have always been 8-450 with the odd pair of 458/5s, are probably the only 701 services the Ascot to Aldershot branch will see, using SDO at Bagshot, Camberley and Frimley as now.

Camberley is 6 coaches.

 

[cactustwirly]

Do you think? I personally doubt they’ll use 5 car 701s on the shuttles.

Ascot to Aldershot and Farnham to Guildford are currently run by four carriage 450s which seem the best fit as Bagshot, Camberley, Frimley, Ash and Wanborough (every intermediate station except Ash Vale) can all only take about four carriages.

The route is also not really busy enough to benefit from the Metro style layout, nor is it tightly timed enough that the Desiro door cycle causes delays. Farnham to Guildford also has First Class in operation.

The current two trains per day between London Waterloo and Aldershot via Ascot which have always been 8-450 with the odd pair of 458/5s, are probably the only 701 services the Ascot to Aldershot branch will see, using SDO at Bagshot, Camberley and Frimley as now.

Didn't the London to Aldershot services used to be 458/0s?

If it makes operational sense they can remove the first class on Farnham to Guildford, I doubt it is actually used and was never an issue when it was operated by 456s.
SWR may prefer to harmonise the services on the metro side to be 701 operated, and concentrate the 450s on the mainline

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Looks like this diagram is going 701 next week

No.1: 701 Diagram
Starts at Clapham Sidings - 5O05 -> 2O05 -> 2K09 -> 2O17 -> 2K21 -> 2O29 -> 2K33 -> 2O41 -> 2K45 -> 2V53 -> 5V53 - Ends At Feltham Depot

Wow, the rollout is really starting to ramp up now

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Didn't the London to Aldershot services used to be 458/0s?

They were usually 8-450 even when two 458s used to supplement the 450s on Ascot Guildford, but even so, it'd make not much difference either way. Both 8 carriage trains of the same age.

 

[SWT_USER]

Didn't the London to Aldershot services used to be 458/0s?

If it makes operational sense they can remove the first class on Farnham to Guildford, I doubt it is actually used and was never an issue when it was operated by 456s.
SWR may prefer to harmonise the services on the metro side to be 701 operated, and concentrate the 450s on the mainline

I think some were, my regular commute for a while was the XX05 or XX35 from Waterloo and I remember them being 458's - wasn't the issue that the rear unit had to be locked out after Ascot due to short platforms and no SDO in those days? Or am I imagining that?

Can't see the lack of first class on the 701's being an issue on that route anyway.

 

[Midmat]

Looks like this diagram is going 701 next week

No.1: 701 Diagram
Starts at Clapham Sidings - 5O05 -> 2O05 -> 2K09 -> 2O17 -> 2K21 -> 2O29 -> 2K33 -> 2O41 -> 2K45 -> 2V53 -> 5V53 - Ends At Feltham Depot

Diagram 14 from the list published in November which was coincidentally predicted to go live in June so that diagram is on time at least. Most of the ones that have gone live so far seem to be from that plan. I've lost track of exactly how many diagrams have gone live so far though, is it 9 so this would be the 10th?

https://www.southwesternrailway.com...thawk-train-as-swr-celebrates-arterio-rollout

14June 2025Hounslow Loop

Kingston Loop0600 Waterloo – Waterloo via Richmond

0727 Waterloo – Waterloo via Kingston

0900 Waterloo – Waterloo via Richmond

1627 Waterloo – Waterloo via Kingston

1800 Waterloo – Waterloo via Richmond

 

[45076]

At this rate we'll need some more units. Is there any parked up somewhere?
He asked knowingly..

 

[ejx2]

Surbiton to Guildford via Woking and surbiton to effingham junction. Virginia water to chertsey and Byfleet and new haw.
Also Guildford to Farnham/alton and the ascot to aldershot branches.

I realise the plans for this are very limited at the moment, but when are we hoping some of these routes may be cleared by?

 

[markle]

Looks like this diagram is going 701 next week

No.1: 701 Diagram
Starts at Clapham Sidings - 5O05 -> 2O05 -> 2K09 -> 2O17 -> 2K21 -> 2O29 -> 2K33 -> 2O41 -> 2K45 -> 2V53 -> 5V53 - Ends At Feltham Depot

Certainly 2K09 was a 701 today

Realtime Trains | 0727 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 11/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0727 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 11/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Roylang]

I realise the plans for this are very limited at the moment, but when are we hoping some of these routes may be cleared by?

Weren’t there some test runs Farnham-Guildford at one point? I seem to recall thinking how strange it would be seeing them through Ash where I grew up.

Roy

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Certainly 2K09 was a 701 today

Realtime Trains | 0727 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 11/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 0727 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 11/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

At the moment, the first two are 701s and the rest aren't.

 

[weeklycommuter]

Agree on the Guildford to Ascot services - these are probably good candidates for the 5 car 701's once they eventually enter service.

Do you think? I personally doubt they’ll use 5 car 701s on the shuttles.
Ascot to Aldershot and Farnham to Guildford are currently run by four carriage 450s which seem the best fit as Bagshot, Camberley, Frimley, Ash and Wanborough (every intermediate station except Ash Vale) can all only take about four carriages.
The route is also not really busy enough to benefit from the Metro style layout, nor is it tightly timed enough that the Desiro door cycle causes delays. Farnham to Guildford also has First Class in operation.
The current two trains per day between London Waterloo and Aldershot via Ascot which have always been 8-450 with the odd pair of 458/5s, are probably the only 701 services the Ascot to Aldershot branch will see, using SDO at Bagshot, Camberley and Frimley as now.

SWR originally planned to operate London Waterloo to Alton, Aldershot to Ascot and Guildford to Farnham with 701s. This is the original plan from 2020. I do not know what caused SWR to change the plan.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

SWR originally planned to operate London Waterloo to Alton, Aldershot to Ascot and Guildford to Farnham with 701s. This is the original plan from 2020. I do not know what caused SWR to change the plan.

Do you really believe that’s an accurate map? With 701 services to Milford via Godalming? They’ve just randomly hacked off the map at the rough borders of the suburban area.

 

[Goldfish62]

Didn't the London to Aldershot services used to be 458/0s?

Yes. I travelled on them regularly.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jun 2025 ==

Can't see the lack of first class on the 701's being an issue on that route anyway.

The through services via Ascot are Standard Class anyway.

 

[pompeyfan]

I realise the plans for this are very limited at the moment, but when are we hoping some of these routes may be cleared by?

I’ve been told they’ll be cleared imminently but I wouldn’t expect to see them operated any time soon.

 

[boiledbeans2]

I’ve got the Arterio network map here, so most of the stations operated by 701 now?

One way of demonstrating the benefits of SWR nationalisation is to show the shiny 701s are running far and wide, serving multiple destinations.

I suggest they extend the Arterio map to Long Marston.

 

[mansonlo49]

they towed one away again

One way of demonstrating the benefits of SWR nationalisation is to show the shiny 701s are running far and wide, serving multiple destinations.

I suggest they extend the Arterio map to Long Marston.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

they towed one away again

It’s a storage cycle - they are not “towing it away”. The train is just moved in order to keep it from deteriorating. Towing it away would mean getting a train which has been taken out of storage and putting it back again.

 

[weeklycommuter]

Do you really believe that’s an accurate map? With 701 services to Milford via Godalming? They’ve just randomly hacked off the map at the rough borders of the suburban area.

A reply I received from SWR five years ago confirmed that at the time they planned to use the class 701 trains for the London Waterloo to Alton, Aldershot to Ascot and Guildford to Farnham services. They did not plan to use them for regular service to Haslemere or Basingstoke but stated that in times of disruption or rolling stock need, this may be required.

However SWR decided not to reinstate pre-2020 London Waterloo to Haslemere stopping services which used to leave London Waterloo at xx15 leaving just the two fast xx00 and xx30 and one stopping xx45 services London Waterloo to Portsmouth as the Monday to Saturday off peak service on the Portsmouth Direct Line. The current Haslemere stoppers Monday to Friday are the xx45 trains terminated at Haslemere instead of Portsmouth and Southsea.