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

[Bigfoot]

I believe there was a 5 car on test in the Waterloo/Clapham area today. Potentially 2x5 cars coupled.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I believe there was a 5 car on test in the Waterloo/Clapham area today. Potentially 2x5 cars coupled.

That would make sense given what WombleGuard mentioned a few posts back. One only prays there are no coupling issues on the curved Windsor side platforms, aka 444's and p5 at Portsmouth harbour!

 

[DelW]

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.

I take that as an indication that SWR's head honchos never demean themselves by actually travelling on the services they are responsible for. If they did, they'd surely realise what a pointless and aggravating nuisance the constant announcement overload is.

 

[meld3]

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.

Managed to ride 17 new (to me) ones today, and I'd say about half the Guard announcements are by Norman Collier (youtube him if you're under 50). Clearly something not wired up quite right on too many units.

 

[Stephen42]

Noticed there's a move from Marchwood to Wimbledon in for tomorrow. Don't think it's been mentioned so far

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K44262/2025-09-24/detailed

 

[davews]

Managed to ride 17 new (to me) ones today, and I'd say about half the Guard announcements are by Norman Collier (youtube him if you're under 50). Clearly something not wired up quite right on too many units.

Yes, had to look him up.... On the one I was on last week we could also not make out what the guard was saying, something definitely dodgy with his mike although the PIS sound was perfect.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Managed to ride 17 new (to me) ones today, and I'd say about half the Guard announcements are by Norman Collier (youtube him if you're under 50). Clearly something not wired up quite right on too many units.

Legendary find and spot on what the 701 guard announcements sound like.

 

[MotCO]

Legendary find and spot on what the 701 guard announcements sound like.

Do you mean 'Legendary....and.. on...the...guard...sound'?

 

[mansonlo49]

Noticed there's a move from Marchwood to Wimbledon in for tomorrow. Don't think it's been mentioned so far

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K44262/2025-09-24/detailed

should be 69009 doing the drag，now the loco at eastleigh yard

 

[DMckduck]

Yes, had to look him up.... On the one I was on last week we could also not make out what the guard was saying, something definitely dodgy with his mike although the PIS sound was perfect.

It is poor form for a late 2010s train build to be honest, although im under the assumption the gops and handsets were a post-build retrofit due to the original DOO spec of the tender.

Considering the desiros and the 707s had very clear handsets, its not a good look.

(Yes I know the 458 system is rubbish and always has been) but that's not excuse for a new train to not have a solid and reliable PA handset throughout.

 

[Vexed]

Considering the desiros and the 707s had very clear handsets, its not a good look.

I'm always impressed by the sound quality of driver announcements on the 700s. Very clear and a good volume.

 

[reddragon]

should be 69009 doing the drag，now the loco at eastleigh yard

shown as cancelled by operator

 

[Pippy1505]

shown as cancelled by operator

Loco gone back to Eastleigh Yard

 

[Peter Sarf]

Loco gone back to Eastleigh Yard

Hmm. Anyway - I think we can watch movements to and from Marchwood more closely now.

 

[WWTownEnth]

Any sign of new diagrams for next week?

 

[Bigfoot]

That would make sense given what WombleGuard mentioned a few posts back. One only prays there are no coupling issues on the curved Windsor side platforms, aka 444's and p5 at Portsmouth harbour!

The couplers on 701 have a guide horn, which 444s don't. Coupling should be easier on curves.

 

[Snow1964]

Loco gone back to Eastleigh Yard

Loco actually got to Marchwood MOD, then returned empty to Eastleigh as 0Z84

I wonder if they didn't take something they needed as trains have been locked in there for about 15 months

 

[mansonlo49]

Loco actual got to Marchwood MOD, then returned empty to Eastleigh as 0Z84

I wonder if they didn't take something they needed as trains have been locked in there for about 15 months

Got relocated on tomorrow

Realtime Trains | 5Q84 1019 Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 25/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q84 1019 departure from Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 25/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[vuzzeho]

It is poor form for a late 2010s train build to be honest, although im under the assumption the gops and handsets were a post-build retrofit due to the original DOO spec of the tender.

Considering the desiros and the 707s had very clear handsets, its not a good look.

(Yes I know the 458 system is rubbish and always has been) but that's not excuse for a new train to not have a solid and reliable PA handset throughout.

From what I've heard, the PA system can be very clear, but apparently there's a technique to it. I got a video a while back:

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7508495440854125847

 

[Goldfish62]

From what I've heard, the PA system can be very clear, but apparently there's a technique to it. I got a video a while back:

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7508495440854125847

I was on 034 from Reading earlier and it was crystal clear. The guard obviously had it sussed.

 

[WWTownEnth]

Anyone know if there are new diagrams on Monday?

 

[swr444]

Anyone know if there are new diagrams on Monday?

can’t seem to find anything

 

[Bigfoot]

They're struggling for availability of 701 units, reasons unclear as to why.

 

[Snow1964]

Got relocated on tomorrow

Realtime Trains | 5Q84 1019 Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 25/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q84 1019 departure from Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 25/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

This one shows pathed as trailing load 800 tonnes
The cancelled one yesterday was trailing load 400 tonnes

Does that mean they are moving 2 units ?

 

[WWTownEnth]

Presumably something to

They're struggling for availability of 701 units, reasons unclear as to why

That’s pretty disappointing. I thought we were through these teething issues and into a consistent (if slow) rollout now.….

 

[Goldfish62]

can’t seem to find anything

Oh dear!

 

[DMckduck]

Third week in a row without a diagram! SWR should now be scrutinised for the summer timetable decision.

 

[norbitonflyer]

They're struggling for availability of 701 units, reasons unclear as to why.

All but one of the 23 in service were in use yesterday that's 95.7% availability. 701025 back after a week's absence. 701053 the only absentee.

 

[DMckduck]

All but one of the 23 in service were in use yesterday that's 95.7% availability. 701025 back after a week's absence. 701053 the only absentee.

I think op means the units not currently in service, which would be what is holding up the rollout.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Third week in a row without a diagram! SWR should now be scrutinised for the summer timetable decision.

There was a new diagram last week - the one starting with 2K03/2O11 has been 701s only since 15th September, so next week will only be the second without a new one.

There has also so far been no new unit in service this week - 701021 was the most recent, also on 15th September.