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

[Ian Hardy]

The pis functionality is part of the training course for the crew on a 701, so this is not the case here.

Many thanks, I am glad that it is part of the course, hopefully the crews will put that training into practice so it becomes second nature to ensure that the correct information is displayed at all times.

 

[TEW]

I'm sure all stock built after a certain date when PRM TSI superceded RVAR must be able to display the calling pattern and next stops for non-standard services and unscheduled diversions, so it will be a major issue if it's not addressed.

It is possible on 701s, but it isn't that simple. The PIS is usually fed directly from the headcode, but my understanding is that it takes the information from the standard LTP calling pattern for that headcode. The same input then sets up the GSMR radio.
There is a list of fake headcodes which will feed a complete route with all stops in to the system, and the driver can then edit it for the appropriate calling pattern, and will then have to set up the GSMR separately. I'm not sure how many drivers are going to do that. Ideally it's the kind of thing you would want the guard to be able to do, they'd be far more likely to take the time to do it as it makes their lives easier working the train if the PIS is set up correctly.

 

[swtrains]

Today's testing (701013 & ???) - MULTIPLE TESTS TODAY:

5T91 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - normal.
5T92 - Waterloo - Waterloo - goes to Kingston via Richmond, reverses, goes to Twickenham, reverses, goes to Shepperton, reverses and heads back to Waterloo via Richmond.

5T97 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - goes to Waterloo, then goes to Epsom, reverses and heads back to Waterloo.
5T98 - Waterloo - Waterloo - goes to Chessington South, reverses, and heads back to Waterloo.
5T99 - Waterloo - Clapham Yard - goes to Guildford via Woking, reverses and heads back to the Yard via mainline.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q58856/2025-06-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q58855/2025-06-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q58904/2025-06-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q58903/2025-06-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q58902/2025-06-23/detailed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jun 2025 ==

Agreed, that's when it is most important. There's not really an excuse with "digital trains" - I can see different stopping patterns on an app on my phone, but the supposedly connected train is still rooted in 2005.

701 PIDs and announcements are crap in general because they cheaped out on it.

 

[WWTownEnth]

Looks like this will be the next 701 diagram from Monday

No.11: 701 Diagram
Starts at Waterloo – 2H87 → 2H94 → 2R15 → 5Y87 → 5Y87 → 5V49 → 5V49 → 2V49 → 2H97 → 2H64 → 2H63 → 2H72 → 2H71 → 5H80 – Ends at Strawberry Hill Depot

Looks like it’s out and being operated by 701034…..

 

[OneTrackMinded]

701 PIDs and announcements are crap in general because they cheaped out on it.

It’s just the standard one on all Aventras, so Bombardier cheaped out on it rather than SWR. However the software on the 701 PIS is particularly bad in comparison to others, so I’m hoping it’ll be updated soon along with additional info on the door screens.

 

[DMckduck]

Ah yes, I had this one the other day where the guard was talking over the top of the automated annoucement, and it didn't mute the automated annoucement for some reason when the guard did his. The mic technique does vary between guard and it is obvious who does have the right technique and who doesn't. Does the tannoy system also have some sort of aggressive background noise cancelling/clipping, sometimes I have heard the guard has good mic technique but save for the occasional cut out?

Interestingly the 18:06 to Hampton Court from Waterloo was cancelled last night due to a train fault, does anyone know what the cause was? Nothing worse than riding a 455 in this heat, a wall of heat as you step on board the train.

Funny how the SWR guard microphone technique is only critiqued on 701s, manual announcements seem perfectly fine on all other stock?

It's obvious from the whole PIS system, how much funding was given for such an important system. Although to be fair the handsets are retrofitted as it was by design a DOO train.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jun 2025 ==

It is possible on 701s, but it isn't that simple. The PIS is usually fed directly from the headcode, but my understanding is that it takes the information from the standard LTP calling pattern for that headcode. The same input then sets up the GSMR radio.
There is a list of fake headcodes which will feed a complete route with all stops in to the system, and the driver can then edit it for the appropriate calling pattern, and will then have to set up the GSMR separately. I'm not sure how many drivers are going to do that. Ideally it's the kind of thing you would want the guard to be able to do, they'd be far more likely to take the time to do it as it makes their lives easier working the train if the PIS is set up correctly.

Drivers simply aren't going to spend time focusing on editing the PIS outside of initial set up.

Whether it can be modified to hand over to the guard, would probably be useful if it could.

 

[Goldfish62]

Funny how the SWR guard microphone technique is only critiqued on 701s, manual announcements seem perfectly fine on all other stock?

The public address on the 458s is utterly hopeless.

 

[Siemens Staines]

It looks like 701025 will be the next one to enter passenger service

Realtime Trains | 2O53 1800 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 23/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 2O53 1800 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 23/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[swr444]

It looks like 701025 will be the next one to enter passenger service

Realtime Trains | 2O53 1800 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 23/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 2O53 1800 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 23/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

we'll see if it manages to run anything, the SWML has completely collapsed due to a points failure at wimbledon

 

[Siemens Staines]

we'll see if it manages to run anything, the SWML has completely collapsed due to a points failure at wimbledon

Ah yes, I had overlooked that little detail that no Kingston loop services were going all the way round.

 

[Tirov]

23/6 013 017 025 031 034 035 036 037 039 041 042 044 046; 13 units against 11 last week!
The 0953 Tester did not run. 025 on the 1800 Waterloo Tester might run!

 

[norbitonflyer]

23/6 013 017 025 031 034 035 036 037 039 041 042 044 046; 13 units against 11 last week!
The 0953 Tester did not run. 025 on the 1800 Waterloo Tester might run!

Tester?

025 is shown on RTT as rostered for 2O53, the 1800 "Kingston roundabout" passenger service

 

[Tirov]

025 Apologies!

 

[NSEWonderer]

It looks like 701025 will be the next one to enter passenger service

Realtime Trains | 2O53 1800 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 23/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 2O53 1800 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 23/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

About time, she's been long overdue.

 

[Siemens Staines]

Ah yes, I had overlooked that little detail that no Kingston loop services were going all the way round.

Unsurprisingly 701025 now de-allocated, so maybe tomorrow? It does not look like any of the afternoon ECS moves from Wimbledon Park ran with the last moves being the scrap train 5Q76 to Newport with 37800 hauling 5916 + 5912, and a 5X95 to Bournemouth which I am guessing was a 458/4?

 

[NSEWonderer]

Unsurprisingly 701025 now de-allocated, so maybe tomorrow? It does not look like any of the afternoon ECS moves from Wimbledon Park ran with the last moves being the scrap train 5Q76 to Newport with 37800 hauling 5916 + 5912, and a 5X95 to Bournemouth which I am guessing was a 458/4?

Yeah it most likely can't make it out, service is in a code black so potentially will be seen tomorrow.

 

[mansonlo49]

Unsurprisingly 701025 now de-allocated, so maybe tomorrow? It does not look like any of the afternoon ECS moves from Wimbledon Park ran with the last moves being the scrap train 5Q76 to Newport with 37800 hauling 5916 + 5912, and a 5X95 to Bournemouth which I am guessing was a 458/4?

5Q76 seems some issues occurred, and now operating as 0Q76 with the scrap move stopped at Bristol Parkway

 

[swr444]

Unsurprisingly 701025 now de-allocated, so maybe tomorrow? It does not look like any of the afternoon ECS moves from Wimbledon Park ran with the last moves being the scrap train 5Q76 to Newport with 37800 hauling 5916 + 5912, and a 5X95 to Bournemouth which I am guessing was a 458/4?

Take two for 701025

Realtime Trains | 1D12 0701 Dorking to London Waterloo | 24/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 1D12 0701 departure from Dorking to London Waterloo on 24/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[FRSZMZ56]

Take two for 701025

Realtime Trains | 1D12 0701 Dorking to London Waterloo | 24/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 1D12 0701 departure from Dorking to London Waterloo on 24/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Currently on 701025, and looked like multiple people in the drivers cab. Assume this is normal for a units first time in passenger service.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Take two for 701025

Realtime Trains | 1D12 0701 Dorking to London Waterloo | 24/06/2025

Real-time train running information for 1D12 0701 departure from Dorking to London Waterloo on 24/06/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

That completes the original trio of testing trains. Expected it to be next as both 35 and 44 had come into service and it had been part of that original trio of test units. Good to see!

 

[swr444]

That completes the original trio of testing trains. Expected it to be next as both 35 and 44 had come into service and it had been part of that original trio of test units. Good to see!

Any idea what the next units for service will be?

 

[NSEWonderer]

Any idea what the next units for service will be?

So far 051, 056 and 018 ive seen regularly being used for training and testing, id be expecting one of those to unless 028 is suddenly freed up and pushed into passeger service.

 

[SEtrains]

Any idea what the next units for service will be?

I’ve been told that 038 and 051 are nearing entry to service but that’s what I’ve been told so I don’t know what the next unit will actually turn out to be

 

[NSEWonderer]

Currently on 701025, and looked like multiple people in the drivers cab. Assume this is normal for a units first time in passenger service.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Seems like they’ve removed the three loud beeps when the toilet is locked, at least on 701025. Positive change considering it’s a physical latch anyway so isn’t really needed.

 

[NSEWonderer]

051 is out on 49 Track at Clapham Junction on driver training .

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jun 2025 ==

Seems like they’ve removed the three loud beeps when the toilet is locked, at least on 701025. Positive change considering it’s a physical latch anyway so isn’t really needed.

Might be faulty, ive always thought it was there for the visually impaired.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

051 is out on 49 Track at Clapham Junction on driver training .

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jun 2025 ==


Might be faulty, ive always thought it was there for the visually impaired.

It’s not really required when there’s a latch, because it’s a physical lock. If it was a button, yes.

 

[NSEWonderer]

It’s not really required when there’s a latch, because it’s a physical lock. If it was a button, yes.

It wouldn't be put on there if it wasn't required. Its definitely there for the purpose of an additional indication the door is locked. That being said then

 

[OneTrackMinded]

It wouldn't be put on there if it wasn't required. It’s definitely there for the purpose of an additional indication the door is locked.

It’s unnecessary when there’s a physical latch. It’s obviously not a requirement when other trains with a latch don’t have this beeping.

 

[swtrains]

2J92 cancelled because of failure of traction equipment.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L50767/2025-06-24/detailed