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

[Peter Sarf]

I noted the typo.

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

Thanks, I will correct the typo !.

 

[mansonlo49]

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.

we’ll know what happens when those units come out of storage, with the 455s being steadily withdrawn now, progress should see more soon

 

[WombleGuard]

Sadly the 5 cars can not be introduced quickly because every driver trained so far on 10 cars needs another course to drive them. According to our trainers last month.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Sadly the 5 cars can not be introduced quickly because every driver trained so far on 10 cars needs another course to drive them. According to our trainers last month.

I would imagine that will likely revolve (partly) around the need to attach/detach in passenger service. The need for this will likely be minimal SX days, but I would imagine still be a timetable requirement?

 

[brad465]

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.

By then if the 10-cars in service have led to increased patronage across their routes (greater supply leading to greater demand), one would hope this would justify the 5-car units still being needed with SWR despite plenty of speculation they're not necessary.

 

[WombleGuard]

I would imagine that will likely revolve (partly) around the need to attach/detach in passenger service. The need for this will likely be minimal SX days, but I would imagine still be a timetable requirement?

Guess so. Although we attached/detached the /5s at CLJ yard as part of the /0 course. That's the only reason they are there apparently.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Although we attached/detached the /5s at CLJ yard as part of the /0 course

I would have expected that, although a lack of opportunity to do so, in respect of most 701 DVR diagrams, in anger going forward, might flag up competentcy issues for those working some diagrams after a number of months? But that will depend on which services/depots might be diagrammed as 5 car, and which of those will be planned to AP/DP* to/from other 5 car's.

I would take an educated guess in that Wimbledon depot will suffer the most in relation to capacity for fixed 10 car formations, to the extent that if the pre covid timetable (and possibly the current one?) were to involve all booked departures from same being 10 car, the depot will not be able to accommodate all of those services anymore**. In consequence a number of departures from there may have to be, a) moved to another depot - which I very much doubt would work, as other locations within the critical area/route vicinity (Clapham particularly) are in a not dissimilar position in relation to 10 car siding capacity, albeit not quite as critical as Wimbledon, or b) a number of early starts from Wimbledon may have to be formed of single 5 car's, with associated AP elsewhere (eg; on first visit to Waterloo?) prior to the core peak, to form up as 10 car?

The entire roll out plan in this respect requires very careful planning to accommodate as many 10 car units within depots that are located close to and relevant to their intended route(s) of operation (to minimise empty running and intrusion on pathway slots that may be required by other depot's services), taking stabling capacity, pathways off/on depot, crew establishments and rostering in to account.

* Attach/Detach portion. Crew Diagram speak!
** due to many of the sidings currently used for 8 car formations, being too short to accommodate 10 car formations.

 

[mansonlo49]

there's 5X50 and 5Q87 today, both should be 701 testing?

 

[Ciderking]

701 001 seen passing Eastleigh today.

(5Q51) 11.14 London Waterloo to Brockenhurst

 

[mansonlo49]

701 001 seen passing Eastleigh today.

(5Q51) 11.14 London Waterloo to Brockenhurst

Any news of 5X87? Thanks

 

[swr444]

Any news of 5X87? Thanks

isn't this just a 458/4 going via east putney, so they don't send it through Clapham junction main side, inbound stock was this :

Realtime Trains | 2V13 0807 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 22/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 2V13 0807 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 22/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[mansonlo49]

isn't this just a 458/4 going via east putney, so they don't send it through Clapham junction main side, inbound stock was this :

Realtime Trains | 2V13 0807 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 22/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 2V13 0807 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 22/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

oh alright i see thanks，just misunderstood is 701 related？

 

[swr444]

oh alright i see thanks，just misunderstood is 701 related？

I think the 5X headcodes are being used for 458/4s to stop them running through the restricted platforms at CLJ. Nothing to do with 701s

 

[mansonlo49]

I think the 5X headcodes are being used for 458/4s to stop them running through the restricted platforms at CLJ. Nothing to do with 701s

Alright, understood, thanks

 

[Robert Carroll]

This morning when the train I was on (1D12) called at Earlsfield at 07:43, there was a 701 stopped on the up fast between the Wimbledon Depot exit and Earlsfield. I don't recall the number but it is evident from RTT that several trains crossed from fast to slow to avoid it. Does anyone know what happened? RTT does not offer any clues unless I'm missing something.

 

[WarrenTManager]

701020 PTI run, 5Z50?

 

[Robert Carroll]

701020 PTI run, 5Z50?

Thanks, just looked up 5Z50 on RTT and it is showing as an 07:33 Wimbledon Park to Clapham Yard but shown as "This service was cancelled due to a problem with the traction equipment (MD)." I suspect it must have failed just after leaving the depot and either limped or was dragged back in.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Glimpsed latest arrival 701009 in the shed at Wimbledon Depot (on road 11 furthest from the mainline but visible through road 10 open door). That was about 16:00 today. No way of knowing if it was a half set, whole set or just a cab !. Anyone know ?.

 

[Meglos]

701 001 seen passing Eastleigh today.

(5Q51) 11.14 London Waterloo to Brockenhurst

And returning to Wimbledon Park as 5Q55. Seen of the Up Fast at Raynes Park at 16;33

 

[WarrenTManager]

Glimpsed latest arrival 701009 in the shed at Wimbledon Depot (on road 11 furthest from the mainline but visible through road 10 open door). That was about 16:00 today. No way of knowing if it was a half set, whole set or just a cab !. Anyone know ?.

1009 full unit. 9/10/11 are 10 car roads. 7/8 are 12 car roads.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Are we any closer to these getting Elinor Hamilton?

 

[stadler]

Are we any closer to these getting Elinor Hamilton?

I really hope not. Her announcements are utterly dreadful. Such a massive downgrade from the lovely Celia Drummond announcements.

SWR did say on that FOI response on the 23rd June 2025 that they intend to replace Celia Drummond with Elinor Hamilton on the 458s and 701s within approximately the next 6 to 12 months. I imagine that their main priority now is getting as many 701s in service as they can. It will probably be done once more of the 701s are in service.

 

[Goldfish62]

I really hope not. Her announcements are utterly dreadful. Such a massive downgrade from the lovely Celia Drummond announcements.

SWR did say on that FOI response on the 23rd June 2025 that they intend to replace Celia Drummond with Elinor Hamilton on the 458s and 701s within approximately the next 6 to 12 months. I imagine that their main priority now is getting as many 701s in service as they can. It will probably be done once more of the 701s are in service.

As I mentioned a couple of pages or so back it's been reported that a major PIS upgrade on the 701s is due early next year. I guess this is when the voice will be replaced.

 

[talldave]

I really hope not. Her announcements are utterly dreadful. Such a massive downgrade from the lovely Celia Drummond announcements.

The shouty guards are more dreadful, we need to mute them. When my SWR service was stuck for an hour the guard was totally useless - if you have nothing useful to say, say nothing.

EDIT: Oh, we're on first name terms this morning. Cringey.

 

[stadler]

As I mentioned a couple of pages or so back it's been reported that a major PIS upgrade on the 701s is due early next year. I guess this is when the voice will be replaced.

Ah that makes sense. I suppose by early next year we will probably have most of the ten coach 701s in service so they will have more time for this kind of stuff. Out of interest do the 701s require each unit to have the PIS updated manually one by one with a USB or SD card? Or can they all be done updated remotely and automatically at once?

The shouty guards are more dreadful, we need to mute them. When my SWR service was stuck for an hour the guard was totally useless - if you have nothing useful to say, say nothing.

Oh absolutely. That is one thing that annoys me so much. SWR have the most annoying guards of any TOC i use. They constantly repeat what the automated announcements have just said. SWR already have the most excessive automated announcements of any TOC and then you get the guards unnecessarily repeating everything. You get no silence. It is so much nicer travelling on Southern or Southeastern or Thameslink where both automated and manual announcements onboard are kept to a minimum.

 

[Peter Sarf]

1009 full unit. 9/10/11 are 10 car roads. 7/8 are 12 car roads.

Thanks. I imagine it is only a visit to the wheel lathe that dictates a 10car 701 is split ?.

 

[swr444]

Ah that makes sense. I suppose by early next year we will probably have most of the ten coach 701s in service so they will have more time for this kind of stuff. Out of interest do the 701s require each unit to have the PIS updated manually one by one with a USB or SD card? Or can they all be done updated remotely and automatically at once?


Oh absolutely. That is one thing that annoys me so much. SWR have the most annoying guards of any TOC i use. They constantly repeat what the automated announcements have just said. SWR already have the most excessive automated announcements of any TOC and then you get the guards unnecessarily repeating everything. You get no silence. It is so much nicer travelling on Southern or Southeastern or Thameslink where both automated and manual announcements onboard are kept to a minimum.

Unfortunately the manual announcements are pushed by management and are part of the training course. If a guard has a discreet ride and doesn’t make announcements they get in trouble.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Unfortunately the manual announcements are pushed by management and are part of the training course. If a guard has a discreet ride and doesn’t make announcements they get in trouble.

If SWR was to constantly be getting a large number of complaints about this, they might change course somewhat.

 

[WarrenTManager]

Thanks. I imagine it is only a visit to the wheel lathe that dictates a 10car 701 is split ?.

They also need splitting to access the bogie drop. They are also split on some exams but more out of maintenance reasons eg EMS couplers called up on the VMI rather than physical length constraints as they will stay within the shed.

 

[NSEWonderer]

If SWR was to constantly be getting a large number of complaints about this, they might change course somewhat.

Seems to me that its not as much of an issue to other passengers than some on hear make it out to be. Complaints by passengers about not being informed, staff being too quiet etc are a lot more common than the opposite, especially these days with headphone users and people too glued to their phones.

It may be too much but then it stops the complaints of nothing being announced.