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

[dodger]

701001 having a runout to Poole on 5Q51 and back this afternoon.

Dodger

 

[Driver@swt]

701002 doing test runs today

Realtime Trains | 5Q02 0928 Clapham Yard Sidings to London Waterloo | 16/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q02 0928 departure from Clapham Yard Sidings to London Waterloo on 16/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Training runs

 

[NSEWonderer]

701001 having a runout to Poole on 5Q51 and back this afternoon.

Dodger

Will be the ole Mileage run

 

[GW43125]

Noticed the afternoon there's a Windsor diagram running with a 10 car 458, with the usual Shepperton covered by a pair of 455s, are we a 701 down today?

Also noticed that 2K11 has been back to 455s this week, or have I just not been paying attention?

 

[Stephen42]

Noticed the afternoon there's a Windsor diagram running with a 10 car 458, with the usual Shepperton covered by a pair of 455s, are we a 701 down today?

Also noticed that 2K11 has been back to 455s this week, or have I just not been paying attention?

Think it's down a pair of 458s, only 22 in service today from RealTimeTrains rather than 24. The 2U09 circuit is usually a pair of 458/4s, was a single 458/4 on Monday and several days has been the 10 car 458 combo. 455s can't do Windsor with 8 cars so instead they do Shepperton and the 458/5s move to Windsor.

2K11 is one of the 455 diagrams and has been the last two weeks at least.

 

[GW43125]

Think it's down a pair of 458s, only 22 in service today from RealTimeTrains rather than 24. The 2U09 circuit is usually a pair of 458/4s, was a single 458/4 on Monday and several days has been the 10 car 458 combo. 455s can't do Windsor with 8 cars so instead they do Shepperton and the 458/5s move to Windsor.

2K11 is one of the 455 diagrams and has been the last two weeks at least.

Cheers, that would explain it!

 

[Siemens Staines]

Think it's down a pair of 458s, only 22 in service today from RealTimeTrains rather than 24. The 2U09 circuit is usually a pair of 458/4s, was a single 458/4 on Monday and several days has been the 10 car 458 combo. 455s can't do Windsor with 8 cars so instead they do Shepperton and the 458/5s move to Windsor.

The same change applied yesterday. With 458401 & 458418 out of service for month(s) and "pieces nicked to service other units", plus 458415 away in Bournemouth for a few weeks (on overhaul?) then that only leaves 25 units for 24 diagrams so it is not too surprising that they are coming up short. The same will likely be the case soon for 458/5 now that there are only 3 units for 3 diagrams. I know the priority has been on 701 knocking out 455s, but I do wonder if one new 701 diagram will be used to relieve the current pressure on the 458 fleet e.g 2U09 which was booked 701 in the May LTP diagrams.

 

[Goldfish62]

The same change applied yesterday. With 458401 & 458418 out of service for month(s) and "pieces nicked to service other units", plus 458415 away in Bournemouth for a few weeks (on overhaul?) then that only leaves 25 units for 24 diagrams so it is not too surprising that they are coming up short. The same will likely be the case soon for 458/5 now that there are only 3 units for 3 diagrams. I know the priority has been on 701 knocking out 455s, but I do wonder if one new 701 diagram will be used to relieve the current pressure on the 458 fleet e.g 2U09 which was booked 701 in the May LTP diagrams.

I was wondering exactly the same. Would make sense.

 

[Siemens Staines]

I was wondering exactly the same. Would make sense.

Further, having two 458/4 long term out of service is not a temporary blip in availability because it has been the case for the entire year except for the three weeks between 458403 returning to service in July and 458401 dropping out for the second time, so it is semi-permanent. Ironically, this shortfall is being filled by using additional 455s (and the same again today) which is what the 701 introduction is trying to eliminate.

 

[Pippy1505]

VSTP Move for a 5Q96 1219 Eastleigh - Wimbledon this afternoon

 

[Peter Sarf]

VSTP Move for a 5Q96 1219 Eastleigh - Wimbledon this afternoon

Assuming its a 701 then it should be one of :-
701009 (Eastleigh resident since 05/06/2025),
701027 (Eastleigh resident since 26/08/2025).
Not much left at Eastleigh !.

I think SWR will soon have to dust off 701/0s at Marchwood (9 to choose from) or Long Marston (15 to choose from) or 701003 at Derby. Bicester only has 701/5s left (15 of them). That is unless it is time to make inroads into the stored 701/5s which I think is unlikely.

That is all subject to my records being correct/up-to-date.

 

[reddragon]

I have: -

Long Marston = 701.006,7,8,10,11,30,33,45,48,49,50,52,55,59 (14)
Marchwood = 701.014,16,19,22,23,26,29,32,38,47 (10)

Is this right or wrong?

 

[mansonlo49]

I have: -

Long Marston = 701.006,7,8,10,11,30,33,45,48,49,50,52,55,59 (14)
Marchwood = 701.014,16,19,22,23,26,29,32,38,47 (10)

Is this right or wrong?

They haven’t take the units out Long Marston and Marchwood for quite a while

 

[Peter Sarf]

I have: -

Long Marston = 701.006,7,8,10,11,30,33,45,48,49,50,52,55,59 (14)
Marchwood = 701.014,16,19,22,23,26,29,32,38,47 (10)

Is this right or wrong?

I have 701023 as at Long Marston not Marchwood.
Otherwise matching you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Sep 2025 ==

They haven’t take the units out Long Marston and Marchwood for quite a while

That is correct. SWR cleared out Bicester of 701/0s during 2025 week by week. With some going from SWR to Long Marston and the rest generally into service/training. Some/all of those 701/0s had been at Bicester since late 2023 !. Almost two years.

The Marchwood 701/0 inmates arrived April to June 2024 with one in December 2024.
The Long Marston 701/0 inmates arrived December 2024 to May 2025, presumably all via SWR.

I get a bit vague (was not paying attention) the further back in time, cetainly before 2025, but that seems to be what has happened.

 

[Lockwood]

Just had 503 and 001 pass me, both on test

 

[Peter Sarf]

Just had 503 and 001 pass me, both on test

I do wonder if some 701/5s might be getting implemented soon even though the consensus seems to be all 701/0s first.
Does anyone know ?.

Either length of 701s would do to plug the gap left by the rapidly departing 455s and struggling 458s.
I am sure life for the SWR engineers will be a whole lot easier once one whole fleet has gone - the 455s.

But that is enough without straying too far into conjecture.

 

[Lockwood]

Well, I say "test". They had the things over the doors and 001 had seat covers. Could have been training, don't imagine they'd bother making do not board thingies for both reasons

 

[hwl]

I do wonder if some 701/5s might be getting implemented soon even though the consensus seems to be all 701/0s first.
Does anyone know ?.

Either length of 701s would do to plug the gap left by the rapidly departing 455s and struggling 458s.
I am sure life for the SWR engineers will be a whole lot easier once one whole fleet has gone - the 455s.

But that is enough without straying too far into conjecture.

At some stage they will have to start addressing the 5 car units in terms of preparing for passenger use hence have some with the mods and fault free mileage would be useful if it doesn't get in the way of 10 car introduction else where will be a big gap, hence I go with trying to minimise this gap.
5car might also be useful for some driver training if SWR are struggling with some of the logistics of having enough 10car for training a few 5 car might be useful especially as the fit in some of the short siding that the 10cars don't.
Realistically it will be easier in the shortish term to deploy 4car 458s for short services than 5car 701 role out to do the same.

Realistic 10 car milestones:
~35x 10car in weekday service - enables 455 retirement
~50x 10car in weekday service - theoretically enables hand back of whole Cl. 458 fleet the reality is probably that 458 will be used to release 450s to allow longer distance services to be strengthened.

What we don't know is the state of the remaining 10 car not in service, effectively have all the easiest to get into service been chosen so far hence some of the remaining unit might take longer?

 

[mansonlo49]

I have 701023 as at Long Marston not Marchwood.
Otherwise matching you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Sep 2025 ==


That is correct. SWR cleared out Bicester of 701/0s during 2025 week by week. With some going from SWR to Long Marston and the rest generally into service/training. Some/all of those 701/0s had been at Bicester since late 2023 !. Almost two years.

The Marchwood 701/0 inmates arrived April to June 2024 with one in December 2024.
The Long Marston 701/0 inmates arrived December 2024 to May 2025, presumably all via SWR.

I get a bit vague (was not paying attention) the further back in time, cetainly before 2025, but that seems to be what has happened.

so the 701/0 only left at long Marston and Marchwood, but the site at Marchwood thinks is near the sea, so would the units need to go back to alstom for check before coming in?

 

[Snow1964]

so the 701/0 only left at long Marston and Marchwood, but the site at Marchwood thinks is near the sea, so would the units need to go back to alstom for check before coming in?

I might have this wrong, as many months have passed, but I don't think those at Marchwood have had some of the later modifications as they have generally been there 15-18 months.

From memory (so apologies if I remember wrongly), most if not all those at Long Marston visited Eastleigh for updates 6-12 months ago.

Therefore I am presuming Marchwood ones need more checking and updating to current service standard.

 

[mansonlo49]

I might have this wrong, as many months have passed, but I don't think those at Marchwood have had some of the later modifications as they have generally been there 15-18 months.

From memory (so apologies if I remember wrongly), most if not all those at Long Marston visited Eastleigh for updates 6-12 months ago.

Therefore I am presuming Marchwood ones need more checking and updating to current service standard.

thanks，what’s the update again please?

 

[wickham]

Assuming its a 701 then it should be one of :-
701009 (Eastleigh resident since 05/06/2025),
701027 (Eastleigh resident since 26/08/2025).
Not much left at Eastleigh !.

I think SWR will soon have to dust off 701/0s at Marchwood (9 to choose from) or Long Marston (15 to choose from) or 701003 at Derby. Bicester only has 701/5s left (15 of them). That is unless it is time to make inroads into the stored 701/5s which I think is unlikely.

That is all subject to my records being correct/up-to-date.

5Q96 1219 Eastleigh to Wimbledon Park DID RUN. Can anyone confirm which unit (out of the possible 2) was actually conveyed.
Am I correct in thinking that 701060 is being got ready for passenger service and presumably which ever unit moved today will be likewise ?
If or when 701001 passes it's fault free running that will be in early line for service too - surprising eh ?

 

[camerar1]

5Q96 1219 Eastleigh to Wimbledon Park DID RUN. Can anyone confirm which unit (out of the possible 2) was actually conveyed.
Am I correct in thinking that 701060 is being got ready for passenger service and presumably which ever unit moved today will be likewise ?
If or when 701001 passes it's fault free running that will be in early line for service too - surprising eh ?

701009 - noted when running through Eastleigh.

 

[Peter Sarf]

At some stage they will have to start addressing the 5 car units in terms of preparing for passenger use hence have some with the mods and fault free mileage would be useful if it doesn't get in the way of 10 car introduction else where will be a big gap, hence I go with trying to minimise this gap.
5car might also be useful for some driver training if SWR are struggling with some of the logistics of having enough 10car for training a few 5 car might be useful especially as the fit in some of the short siding that the 10cars don't.
Realistically it will be easier in the shortish term to deploy 4car 458s for short services than 5car 701 role out to do the same.

I agree. If some 701/5s (ie 5car) are in good shape it might be prudent to get them into service or training if the remaining 701/0s (ie 10car) are problematic (festered in storage too long) so harder to get into service.

Also - at some point training runs might be easier if 701/5s (ie 5car) are useful as can use shorter sidings.

Realistic 10 car milestones:
~35x 10car in weekday service - enables 455 retirement
~50x 10car in weekday service - theoretically enables hand back of whole Cl. 458 fleet the reality is probably that 458 will be used to release 450s to allow longer distance services to be strengthened.

It seems obvious that 455 retirement is imminent regardless of alternatives (there is a steady stream of them to Sims at Newport).

We have to assume that all the 458s that have reverted back to 4car (ie 28 out of 36) still have a purpose, I think they do. That will either be freeing up the overworked 450s or for the Portsmouth direct line (the original plan once my beloved 442s were abandoned).

Unless 458s (or 450s) take over some of the last of the 455 diagrams I can see 5car 701s being needed for any 455 diagrams that dictate a set shorter then 10cars.
I assume there are 455 diagrams that dictate the use of short sidings ?.

Let us not forget the reason for the 701/5s (ie 5car) is because parts of SWR cannot handle 10car trains.

What we don't know is the state of the remaining 10 car not in service, effectively have all the easiest to get into service been chosen so far hence some of the remaining unit might take longer?

I agree, that is the question.

Are the 701/0s that went to Long Marston via SWR merely there because they are OK but not possible to accomodate yet. OR do they have issues that are to be dealt with later (possibly issues connected with protracted storage).

so the 701/0 only left at long Marston and Marchwood, but the site at Marchwood thinks is near the sea, so would the units need to go back to alstom for check before coming in?

I doubt the Marchwood 701s are the responsibility of Alstom any more. All bar one of the 701/0s are on the leasing companies books iirc, so I wonder if the only excuse for the 701/0s to visit Alstom is for warranty repairs or paid for work.

I expect Eastleigh is the place already doing checks / sorting. That might become the bottle neck ?.

I might have this wrong, as many months have passed, but I don't think those at Marchwood have had some of the later modifications as they have generally been there 15-18 months.

From memory (so apologies if I remember wrongly), most if not all those at Long Marston visited Eastleigh for updates 6-12 months ago.

Therefore I am presuming Marchwood ones need more checking and updating to current service standard.

That is my feeling. Those at Marchwood are the 701s that have been "left" for the longest time.

thanks，what’s the update again please?

I imagine there are several updates. Maybe some applying to a sub set of the 701s. Some will be software updates I imagine.

5Q96 1219 Eastleigh to Wimbledon Park DID RUN. Can anyone confirm which unit (out of the possible 2) was actually conveyed.
Am I correct in thinking that 701060 is being got ready for passenger service and presumably which ever unit moved today will be likewise ?
If or when 701001 passes it's fault free running that will be in early line for service too - surprising eh ?

I think there are a few 701s likely to be earlier than 701001 or 701060 in the queue for service (unless kept for training).
Overall a choice of :-
701001
701002
701004
701009 (just arrived from Eastleigh)
701015
701020
701024
701027 (last one at Eastleigh)
701028 (the one that did a few days ages ago ?, is that the most likely test unit ?)
701040
701054
701060
That is twelve, all but one floating around London.

EDIT corrected 709009 to 701009.

 

[Juniper Driver]

We have to assume that all the 458s that have reverted back to 4car (ie 28 out of 36) still have a purpose, I think they do. That will either be freeing up the overworked 450s or for the Portsmouth direct line (the original plan once my beloved 442s were abandoned).

I don't think 458s will be used on the Pompey line, but it still frees up 450s for the same purpose.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I don't think 458s will be used on the Pompey line, but it still frees up 450s for the same purpose.

Yes one way or another 450s and 458s stay used.

 

[TEW]

Plan for 5-cars is currently middle of 2026, long after the 455s are gone. Any need for units shorter than 10-car in the meantime can be filled by 450s.

 

[mansonlo49]

I doubt the Marchwood 701s are the responsibility of Alstom any more. All bar one of the 701/0s are on the leasing companies books iirc, so I wonder if the only excuse for the 701/0s to visit Alstom is for warranty repairs or paid for work.

I expect Eastleigh is the place already doing checks / sorting. That might become the bottle neck ?.

I imagine there are several updates. Maybe some applying to a sub set of the 701s. Some will be software updates I imagine.

So all you mentioned here is that the 701s need to do big repairs due to Long time storage, maybe need return to Derby litchurch lane?

 

[Peter Sarf]

So all you mentioned here is that the 701s need to do big repairs due to Long time storage, maybe need return to Derby litchurch lane?

Probably tedious little repairs requiring finding faults caused by lack of use (dampness getting into awkward, hard to find, places including wiring if it is anything like stored cars). Any big issues I would hope meant that SWR would not have taken those individual units on yet. We know (up thread) that 59 out of 60 of the 701/0s have charges so it is assumed that almost all the 701/0s have been accepted FROM the manufacturer. Unless I have miss-understood.

If it is just that (problems caused by lack of use) then it will most likely not be Alstom's fault so arguably not "returned" to Derby as such. BUT if SWR choose to pay Derby to sort out then that is a possibility. More likely Eastleigh though. Just a hunch so dangerously few facts really.

 

[norbitonflyer]

I agree. If some 701/5s (ie 5car) are in good shape it might be prudent to get them into service or training if the remaining 701/0s (ie 10car) are problematic (festered in storage too long) so harder to get into service.

Also - at some point training runs might be easier if 701/5s (ie 5car) are useful as can use shorter sidings.

It seems obvious that 455 retirement is imminent regardless of alternatives (there is a steady stream of them to Sims at Newport).

We have to assume that all the 458s that have reverted back to 4car (ie 28 out of 36) still have a purpose, I think they do. That will either be freeing up the overworked 450s or for the Portsmouth direct line (the original plan once my beloved 442s were abandoned).

Unless 458s (or 450s) take over some of the last of the 455 diagrams I can see 5car 701s being needed for any 455 diagrams that dictate a set shorter then 10cars.
I assume there are 455 diagrams that dictate the use of short sidings ?.


I think there are a few 701s likely to be earlier than 701001 or 701060 in the queue for service (unless kept for training).
Overall a choice of :-
.....
709009 (just arrived from Eastleigh)
.....
701028 (the one that did a few days ages ago ?, is that the most likely test unit ?)
.

I noted the typo.

701028 duid indeed run in service - for three days in February 2024.