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

[swr444]

So the new diagrams are actually a reduction in service? What?

I said I didn't include the long term planning diagrams. Which were posted back when the updated timetable was posted for July. They are not included in the STP's because there is no stock change. So the 0526 off Waterloo etc are still 701 diagrammed next week.

 

[43096]

RTT being coy but can confirm via MK1 eyeball that 701005 has made its passenger service debut on 2U45.

It is currently at Waterloo to work 2H97 1843 to Shepperton via Richmond, as seen with Mk3 eyeballs.

 

[GeoffS]

I think unit 001 was the 10car unit that Rock Rail hadn't accepted, their accounts say at 31 December 2024 they had accepted 59 ten car and 28 five car units.

Don't know if the other 2 missing units (5car) have subsequently been brought up to production spec, ran their acceptance runs, and been accepted. Perhaps they have been retained to iron out software and coupling compatibility. I am guessing if unit 001 is still at Derby, it hasn't made it onto SWR metals for acceptance runs, and therefore still in manufacturers hands.

Aren't 501 and 502 the 2 missing units, perhaps because, like 001, they have pantographs fitted?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==

thanks，so no more 701/0 at Biceste

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==

Aren't 501 and 502 the 2 missing units, perhaps because, like 001, they have pantographs fitted?

Aren't 501 and 502 the 2 missing units, perhaps because, like 001, they have pantographs fitted

thanks, so no more 701/0 at Bicester？

Rightly or wrongly, according to my 'ad hoc' records 040 is still there. Could anyone confirm (or deny)?

 

[Goldfish62]

So the new diagrams are actually a reduction in service? What?

I was only referring to Reading services! There's obviously an increase overall.

 

[SEtrains]

Rightly or wrongly, according to my 'ad hoc' records 040 is still there. Could anyone confirm (or deny)?

701040 moved to Wimbledon on the 5th of August and is pending eventual acceptance into service.

 

[swr444]

I was only referring to Reading services! There's obviously an increase overall.

2C16, 2C66, 2C80 are the ones i'm missing which are still 701s.

Not sure if this is any use, but from next week from Reading: 2C18, 2C26, 2C30, 2C32, 2C44, 2C46, 2C60, 2C64 & 2C74 will be 701s. This is not including the diagrams which went over in the July LTPs which were posted a while back.

 

[Tirov]

Snapshot of Waterloo visitors from Real Time Trains!

20/8 012 013 017 018 025 031 034 035 036 037 039 041 044 046 051 057 058 17

27/8 005 012 013 018 025 031 034 035 036 037 039 041 042 043 044 046 048 051 053 057 058 21

 

[Driver@swt]

I’ve heard it a few times that they will never see service with SWR

They are coming, not needed until next year.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==

5T91 reading road driver trainer is 701028 this morning

701028 is the normal PTI test train unit, it’s not Driver training.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

AC is not working at all on 701037.

 

[NSEWonderer]

It is currently at Waterloo to work 2H97 1843 to Shepperton via Richmond, as seen with Mk3 eyeballs.

Good news that as it was long overdue. Leaves 021 out of the last testing batch of 057 and 005.

 

[WrongRoad]

AC is not working at all on 701037.

The whole A/C heating system isn’t good. It’s a nightmare for the drivers as it can’t be switched off in the cab so you’re either sweltering or freezing. The design is also causing problems with air pressure so the guard is having difficulty shutting their local door.

 

[class701]

This is incredible for a UK train manufacturer with a very long history.

 

[NSEWonderer]

The whole A/C heating system isn’t good. It’s a nightmare for the drivers as it can’t be switched off in the cab so you’re either sweltering or freezing. The design is also causing problems with air pressure so the guard is having difficulty shutting their local door.

Just hasn't had the software update that the Elizabeth Line trains got when they were having spurious door issues due to AC.

With Cab AC i find setting it on Auto and then a slightly lower temperature than what I need, works well. Agreed at times you'd wish you had a toggle switch to turn it off.

 

[Goldfish62]

This is incredible for a UK train manufacturer with a very long history.

Not really.

 

[meld3]

Snapshot of Waterloo visitors from Real Time Trains!

20/8 012 013 017 018 025 031 034 035 036 037 039 041 044 046 051 057 058 17

27/8 005 012 013 018 025 031 034 035 036 037 039 041 042 043 044 046 048 051 053 057 058 21

Was 048 on training runs as not seen mention of it working yet ??

 

[OneTrackMinded]

The whole A/C heating system isn’t good. It’s a nightmare for the drivers as it can’t be switched off in the cab so you’re either sweltering or freezing. The design is also causing problems with air pressure so the guard is having difficulty shutting their local door.

Can’t you just set the temperature to medium like in building? There’s a dial for temperature and fan speed, not a button that just says “hot” and “cold”.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Snapshot of Waterloo visitors from Real Time Trains!

20/8 012 013 017 018 025 031 034 035 036 037 039 041 044 046 051 057 058 17

27/8 005 012 013 018 025 031 034 035 036 037 039 041 042 043 044 046 048 051 053 057 058 21

My bold. Last I knew 701048 was at Long Marston, arrived there April 2025 ?.
Where does the magic box think it is ?.

I suppose it could be a typo for 028 ?.

 

[Nogoohwell]

The whole A/C heating system isn’t good. It’s a nightmare for the drivers as it can’t be switched off in the cab so you’re either sweltering or freezing. The design is also causing problems with air pressure so the guard is having difficulty shutting their local door.

The aircon is rubbish and not powerful enough to cope with the frequent stopping patterns.
As an example, between Epsom and Motspur Park, the doors are open just as much as the train is moving and it heats up a lot. Only after Raynes Park does the aircon have enough time to make an impact.
I guess whoever specified this had not taken stopping patterns in account.

 

[vuzzeho]

The aircon is rubbish and not powerful enough to cope with the frequent stopping patterns.
As an example, between Epsom and Motspur Park, the doors are open just as much as the train is moving and it heats up a lot. Only after Raynes Park does the aircon have enough time to make an impact.
I guess whoever specified this had not taken stopping patterns in account.

Well the 345s stop frequently and their AC is quite good. Isn't it the same? If not, couldn't that be retrofitted?

 

[Goldfish62]

Well the 345s stop frequently and their AC is quite good. Isn't it the same? If not, couldn't that be retrofitted?

I dare say it's exactly the same system.

The AC on the 701s seems perfectly fine to me - just could do with the temperature setting dialling down a little.

 

[WrongRoad]

Can’t you just set the temperature to medium like in building? There’s a dial for temperature and fan speed, not a button that just says “hot” and “cold”.

As there is no off setting it runs on a constant thermostat. There are settings the driver can choose, but its impossible to keep the cab temperature constant, the system is always applying heat or cold conditioned air to try and keep the set temperature, but it will cool the cab temperature too much then apply heat to warm it up again. The louvered vents above the driver can’t be moved so the hot/cold air is always blowing on top of the drivers head.

 

[wickham]

My bold. Last I knew 701048 was at Long Marston, arrived there April 2025 ?.
Where does the magic box think it is ?.

I suppose it could be a typo for 028 ?.

I too have 701048 as still at Long Marston.
Can anyone say which unit or units are currently being prepared for next entry into passenger service please. 701021 is an obvious candidate, but are 701040 and 701060 likely contenders too ?

 

[mansonlo49]

I too have 701048 as still at Long Marston.
Can anyone say which unit or units are currently being prepared for next entry into passenger service please. 701021 is an obvious candidate, but are 701040 and 701060 likely contenders too ?

isn’t 701040 dragged out from Bicester?? 060 dragged from long marston already??

 

[WarrenTManager]

My bold. Last I knew 701048 was at Long Marston, arrived there April 2025 ?.
Where does the magic box think it is ?.

I suppose it could be a typo for 028 ?.

It isn’t 048. Nothing in the system for any kind of move in a month.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

The aircon is rubbish and not powerful enough to cope with the frequent stopping patterns.
As an example, between Epsom and Motspur Park, the doors are open just as much as the train is moving and it heats up a lot. Only after Raynes Park does the aircon have enough time to make an impact.
I guess whoever specified this had not taken stopping patterns in account.

I dare say it's exactly the same system.

The AC on the 701s seems perfectly fine to me - just could do with the temperature setting dialling down a little.

Certain units have much powerful AC than others, especially the higher numbers (e.g 4X and 5X). I believe this has something to do with the amount of time they spent in storage. With a car, if you leave the AC for a long time, the seals go which causes the refrigerant to leak and therefore become less effective.

 

[Peter Sarf]

isn’t 701040 dragged out from Bicester?? 060 dragged from long marston already??

He (@wickham) meant 701040 and 701060 are on SWR already and maybe in line for being accepted into traffic. Along with 701021 which might be more obvious (also from Bicester in June iirc).
Not about to be delivered to SWR.

 

[800001]

I too have 701048 as still at Long Marston.
Can anyone say which unit or units are currently being prepared for next entry into passenger service please. 701021 is an obvious candidate, but are 701040 and 701060 likely contenders too ?

701048 is 100% still at Long Marston.

 

[Nimbus020]

1D14 (07:30 Dorking to W'loo) is an 8-car 455 formation today (usually a 701) - the 17:06 W'loo to H Court was cancelled last night as 701 039 stayed in Platform 4 for a while (crew issue according to RTT)

 

[swr444]

1D14 (07:30 Dorking to W'loo) is an 8-car 455 formation today (usually a 701) - the 17:06 W'loo to H Court was cancelled last night as 701 039 stayed in Platform 4 for a while (crew issue according to RTT)

1D14 is Booked as an 8-455 today

 

[Nimbus020]

1D14 is Booked as an 8-455 today

Many thanks - it ran with 701s on 15th & 22nd Aug (units 031 & 037 respectively)