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

[swr444]

2D51 this evening (17:39 W'loo to G'ford) is just 4-car 455 711 (rather than a 701)

It’s an 8 car with 5865

 

[Nimbus020]

It’s an 8 car with 5865

Yes - not what was showing on RTT - apologies (just saw the 8-car formation leaving Plat 2)

 

[FRSZMZ56]

SWR have put out a little promotional video about 20 Arterios now being in regular service: https://x.com/SW_Help/status/1962488752426614854

 

[norbitonflyer]

Of those, the two most recent ones are 701 005 and 701 053 - the latter has been in service for a couple of weeks now, the former I think was reported a few days ago.

It could be worth checking this evening to see if any fresh units emerge.

New units usually appear later in the week.

 

[MasterPhillips]

Both today and Yesterday there has been a 4 car on the Reading Line in the morning. Starts with 5C09 from Wimbledon depot to Waterloo then as 2C09, the 0620 departure.

Was a 458/4 yesterday and today is a 455

 

[Siemens Staines]

This diagram has come up on journeycheck for the past two days;

Train Formation Updates
06:20 London Waterloo to Reading due 07:43
08:09 Reading to London Waterloo due 09:35
09:50 London Waterloo to Reading due 11:13
11:39 Reading to London Waterloo due 13:06
15:37 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 17:00
17:15 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 18:41
18:52 London Waterloo to Weybridge due 20:10
20:33 Weybridge to London Waterloo due 21:56
22:22 London Waterloo to Weybridge due 23:38
Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 5.
Last Updated:02/09/2025 04:22

So I assume it has reverted to being booked a 5-car 458 as it was prior to the summer timetable reduction, so is not directly related to the 701 introduction. It is just that there have not been three 458/5s in service so far this week.

 

[Goldfish62]

This diagram has come up on journeycheck for the past two days;

Train Formation Updates
06:20 London Waterloo to Reading due 07:43
08:09 Reading to London Waterloo due 09:35
09:50 London Waterloo to Reading due 11:13
11:39 Reading to London Waterloo due 13:06
15:37 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 17:00
17:15 London Waterloo to London Waterloo due 18:41
18:52 London Waterloo to Weybridge due 20:10
20:33 Weybridge to London Waterloo due 21:56
22:22 London Waterloo to Weybridge due 23:38
Will be formed of 4 coaches instead of 5.
Last Updated:02/09/2025 04:22

So I assume it has reverted to being booked a 5-car 458 as it was prior to the summer timetable reduction, so is not directly related to the 701 introduction. It is just that there have not been three 458/5s in service so far this week.

Yes, looks like it. I'm told even with a 5 458/5 it's rather cosy by Staines on the 08:09 from Reading, so must be pretty savage with a single 455!

 

[MasterPhillips]

Yes, looks like it. I'm told even with a 5 458/5 it's rather cosy by Staines on the 08:09 from Reading, so must be pretty savage with a single 455!

I would have hoped that with quite a few 701 diagrams now they could have stopped these 4/5 car diagrams. Especially on such a busy service.

 

[37069]

On 701043 tonight on 2H53, which has had major door problems all the way. Just left NBT 30 late.

 

[WWTownEnth]

Any news on a new diagram for next week?

 

[TEW]

No new diagrams next week.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

No new diagrams next week.

????? Very surprised.

 

[WWTownEnth]

That’s a shame….but I suppose we got two new ones this week so maybe to be expected

 

[Peter Sarf]

There has not been a 701 moved to Wimbledon from store recently afaict. But the Monday scrap move has been running. On my last visit to Wimbledon it seemed a bit emptier than past visits !.

But, if I am up-to-date, there are still eight 701/0s floating around on SWR in London that have not yet seen service(701002, 701015, 701020, 701021, 701024, 701040, 701054, & 701056). Plus four 701/0s at Eastleigh (701004, 701009, 701027 & 701060). So twelve to cover training/testing/commissioning.

 

[mansonlo49]

There has not been a 701 moved to Wimbledon from store recently afaict. But the Monday scrap move has been running. On my last visit to Wimbledon it seemed a bit emptier than past visits !.

But, if I am up-to-date, there are still eight 701/0s floating around on SWR in London that have not yet seen service(701002, 701015, 701020, 701021, 701024, 701040, 701054, & 701056). Plus four 701/0s at Eastleigh (701004, 701009, 701027 & 701060). So twelve to cover training/testing/commissioning.

Maybe some more 455 scrap than the out of storage drag will commence again

 

[Stephen42]

There has not been a 701 moved to Wimbledon from store recently afaict. But the Monday scrap move has been running. On my last visit to Wimbledon it seemed a bit emptier than past visits !.

But, if I am up-to-date, there are still eight 701/0s floating around on SWR in London that have not yet seen service(701002, 701015, 701020, 701021, 701024, 701040, 701054, & 701056). Plus four 701/0s at Eastleigh (701004, 701009, 701027 & 701060). So twelve to cover training/testing/commissioning.

With Newport having limited capacity regular scrap trips will reduce the size of the backlog towards the end of the 455s. The last 701 move to Wimbledon was two weeks ago 19th August, with last weeks move ending up at Eastleigh rather than Wimbledon. There's also been the cancelled Derby moves which might make progress seem slower.

There is an Eastleigh Trsmd to Clapham Yard (not Clapham Yard Sidings) 5Q96 in for Friday operated by SW which might be a 701 move. Not sure if there's any other SW stock in Eastleigh Trsmd it could be instead.

 

[NSEWonderer]

701058 is such a nice 701 to drive. Barely any brake anchoring as some of the others(044 especially) and is rapid. Whatever software its on that is doing the brake blending needs to see the light of day on the other units

 

[OneTrackMinded]

701058 is such a nice 701 to drive. Barely any brake anchoring as some of the others(044 especially) and is rapid. Whatever software its on that is doing the brake blending needs to see the light of day on the other units

Probably just because it was one of the last units to be built, so the condition of the train is better as it hasn’t had to sit around for years. Also, it’s likely the quality of build went up when Alstom took over.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Probably just because it was one of the last units to be built, so the condition of the train is better as it hasn’t had to sit around for years. Also, it’s likely the quality of build went up when Alstom took over.

Shouldn't affect brakes that much, its definitely a software thing with the brake anchoring. 058 and 018 of what ive driven don't drop anchor as harshly below 10. Im sure all it needs like the Elizabeth Line trains, once needed is a software update to smoothen out the friction brakes fully engaging.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Shouldn't affect brakes that much, its definitely a software thing with the brake anchoring. 058 and 018 of what ive driven don't drop anchor as harshly below 10. Im sure all it needs like the Elizabeth Line trains, once needed is a software update to smoothen out the friction brakes fully engaging.

I’d be surprised if they were all running different versions of the software.. have you noticed these trains have a higher number on the TCMS version sticker under the display on the left? Most units are on 2.0.17.1 I believe.

 

[800001]

Shouldn't affect brakes that much, its definitely a software thing with the brake anchoring. 058 and 018 of what ive driven don't drop anchor as harshly below 10. Im sure all it needs like the Elizabeth Line trains, once needed is a software update to smoothen out the friction brakes fully engaging.

And you would think if it did affect braking, drivers would be advised there is different braking performance?

 

[Driver@swt]

With Newport having limited capacity regular scrap trips will reduce the size of the backlog towards the end of the 455s. The last 701 move to Wimbledon was two weeks ago 19th August, with last weeks move ending up at Eastleigh rather than Wimbledon. There's also been the cancelled Derby moves which might make progress seem slower.

There is an Eastleigh Trsmd to Clapham Yard (not Clapham Yard Sidings) 5Q96 in for Friday operated by SW which might be a 701 move. Not sure if there's any other SW stock in Eastleigh Trsmd it could be instead.

Yes 503 and 504 Eastleigh to Clapham Yard on Friday

 

[NSEWonderer]

And you would think if it did affect braking, drivers would be advised there is different braking performance?

Yeah for the main part the general braking is pretty unison, some units just slightly better or worse here and there but not majorly, where its differed for me is just the last 6mph with the brake anchoring where the brake blending occurs to transition to fully friction.

It really only affects the last 6 mph below bit of braking depending on what ive noticed with where your braking % is at the time.

I found with the other units that below 25% often made the anchoring somewhat less Harsh, tho 46 and 44 noteably for myself seemed to anchor regardless which often needs a tad quick reduction of brake to hit the stop mark dead middle(all this is within 5m of stop cars mark, nothing too major).

Its only of recent with 058 and 018 have I found that those two units just glide well to a stop. I'll maybe eventually see if its a tms related thing.

 

[bb21]

Indeed, still expecting 056 to ideally be next up. Completes the previous trial trio (051 and 18 being the other two).

Should be in service tomorrow, if all goes well.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Should be in service tomorrow, if all goes well.

Sensational. Will look forward to driving that eventually

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2025 ==

005 having had a feel of it, also brake blends alot better, like 058 when it comes to the anchoring sensation before stopping. Doubt it has anything majorly to do with the TMS version, just a tweak to the underlying brake management system I assume.

Today's been a fun run around with all the engineering works going on which has caused mainline trains to be diverted to the Windsor side and thus the Egham level crossing issue having caused quite a bit of disruption and congestion. All fun though with a 701.

 

[Nimbus020]

Interesting that 2M03 / 2M10 (Chessington trains) are 701 012 this morning - is this a 701 diagram? - many thanks

 

[SEtrains]

701056 has entered service this morning on 2D05. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L48998/2025-09-08/detailed#allox_id=0

 

[Stephen42]

Interesting that 2M03 / 2M10 (Chessington trains) are 701 012 this morning - is this a 701 diagram? - many thanks

Those services look to be 701 worked for today, the diagram goes on to form 2D15 which is usually a 701 diagram. 2D15 is usually run by the diagram starting 2D90, today only that comes from Guildford and is 455 operated. Those 455s swap onto 2F15 which the 2M03 diagram usually does. The rest of the week the swap doesn't take place so probably related to the engineering work over the weekend.

 

[Railperf]

Does it feel as though the acceleration is quicker?
How do you rate the brakes compared to older stock 455, 450, 444? Here in Anglia, drivers felt the 720 brakes far superior to anything they had ever driven. The stopping distance from 100mph was far shorter.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Does it feel as though the acceleration is quicker?
How do you rate the brakes compared to older stock 455, 450, 444? Here in Anglia, drivers felt the 720 brakes far superior to anything they had ever driven. The stopping distance from 100mph was far shorter.

It’s been mentioned a few times on here that the 701s have very fast acceleration, the fastest on DC, excluding the 777s. Only slightly slower than a 345.