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

[D365]

All adds to my obsessive concern that SWR are reaching the "scraping" level towards the bottom of the barrel.

This is a succinct summary of the present situation with regards the remaining 701/0s.

 

[Goldfish62]

This is a succinct summary of the present situation with regards the remaining 701/0s.

Are you stating that from the position of actual knowledge of the condition of the fleet or is it just conjecture?

Genuine question.

 

[D365]

Are you stating that from the position of actual knowledge of the condition of the fleet or is it just conjecture?

Genuine question.

Only in the sense that there is a lot of work left to bring the remaining /0s up to training and - eventually - passenger spec.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Only in the sense that there is a lot of work left to bring the remaining /0s up to training and - eventually - passenger spec.

That is perfectly understandable, now that the roll out seems to be bedding in, in principle, and a point (in time) will (perhaps has?) come when those units left in storage will now need any/all updates/mods (which I guess some/many will have had by the nature of various moves taking place?) and crucially FFR and commissioning, prior to entry to service. Thankfully with only 25 x 455 diagrammed, and (if comments elsewhere are correct) the number of 455's still serviceable far exceeds that number, there should still be reasonably sufficient stock until further 701's can be brought in to service.
Available stabling capacity (for all 701's) within the service group area (SWR suburban) is crucial to this entire process.

 

[Peter Sarf]

That is perfectly understandable, now that the roll out seems to be bedding in, in principle, and a point (in time) will (perhaps has?) come when those units left in storage will now need any/all updates/mods (which I guess some/many will have had by the nature of various moves taking place?) and crucially FFR and commissioning, prior to entry to service. Thankfully with only 25 x 455 diagrammed, and (if comments elsewhere are correct) the number of 455's still serviceable far exceeds that number, there should still be reasonably sufficient stock until further 701's can be brought in to service.
Available stabling capacity (for all 701's) within the service group area (SWR suburban) is crucial to this entire process.

It is obvious that any extra 701s that are usable cannot be brought up to London unless siding space is made available anyway.
I see that recently there is more than one pair of 455s leaving for Newport each week. So I hope that means that SWR are confident in their supply of "ready" 701s.

Regardless of the condition of stored 701s they will still require Fault Free Running (FFR) and any (software/hardware) updates, as you say. That will use up resources that might have been tight over the summer ?.
I would hope that 701026 was less unready than many at Marchwood.

I also wonder how many of the remaining 455 diagrams require splitting/joining to utilise short sidings ?.
Unless a start is made on commissioning 5car 701/5s to cover those diagrams I suspect 450s and 458s might find themselves covering instead, with 10car 701/0s ending up on former 450/458 diagrams.

Does it make sense to get (almost) all of one sub-type of 701s into service first ?.
(so implementation and maintenance prioritised).
OR
Does it make sense to work through each service group getting all of a service group covered solely by 701/0s and 701/5s first ?.
(so operational/crewing arrangements prioritised).

 

[wickham]

If I am not mistaken all those 701s in store HAVE done their Faul Free Running (FFR) before being sent to storage locations. Most of this was done on circuits from Eastleigh Depot using Freightliner drivers. I guess they will need some sort of trial running or "shakedown" before or while being prepared for passenger service, but surely they will not have to go through the whole FFR again. If so, what was the point of doing it first time around?

 

[Peter Sarf]

If I am not mistaken all those 701s in store HAVE done their Faul Free Running (FFR) before being sent to storage locations. Most of this was done on circuits from Eastleigh Depot using Freightliner drivers. I guess they will need some sort of trial running or "shakedown" before or while being prepared for passenger service, but surely they will not have to go through the whole FFR again. If so, what was the point of doing it first time around?

That (FFR already done) would make sense. After all I seem to recall SWR have taken a charge on al but one of the 701/0s.
Or was it the leasco ?.
Either way it is probably now down what has happened/degraded while not in use.

 

[Snow1964]

That (FFR already done) would make sense. After all I seem to recall SWR have taken a charge on al but one of the 701/0s.
Or was it the leasco ?.
Either way it is probably now down what has happened/degraded while not in use.

It was leaseco (Rock Rail South Western)

If it has degraded will depend on build quality, not leaving holes for moisture to get into electronics etc. They were stored outside for months so you would hope some cling film/pallet wrap was used over delicate parts.

Although I expect some software is still the 2023 or 2024 version, and needs latest upgrade on the long term stored units.

 

[LambicHedgehog]

Looks like there may be a unit going from Long Marston to Wimbledon on Wednesday: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K44325/2025-10-01/detailed

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I also wonder how many of the remaining 455 diagrams require splitting/joining to utilise short sidings ?.

None, I would suggest. For the diagrams (25) that remain there are enough 8 car sidings that are not usable by 10 car 701. Some of these will likely be occupied by the remaining serviceable 455's, and those now redundant, although it would seem that the latter don't hang around long. In time these 8 car sidings will be required to accommodate single 5 car 701's, which will be partly why there is a rush to send 455s west as soon as practicable I would guess.

Does it make sense to get (almost) all of one sub-type of 701s into service first ?.
(so implementation and maintenance prioritised).
OR
Does it make sense to work through each service group getting all of a service group covered solely by 701/0s and 701/5s first ?.
(so operational/crewing arrangements prioritised).

I suspect the rollout is largely dictated by the start and finish locations of the stock on the one hand, in order that the units 'balance' at each location for the next day's service, but also the roll out of crews trained on the type at those locations.
This will often mean that conversion to 701 by any one specific service (route) group before the next is not generally possible without massive rediagramming of timetable/crews/units at start and finish of each day, which I would feel sure is something the planners will avoid as far as is possible.

 

[Peter Sarf]

It was leaseco (Rock Rail South Western)

If it has degraded will depend on build quality, not leaving holes for moisture to get into electronics etc. They were stored outside for months so you would hope some cling film/pallet wrap was used over delicate parts.

Although I expect some software is still the 2023 or 2024 version, and needs latest upgrade on the long term stored units.

I agree the stored 701s will have benefited from "mothballing" potentially. But the cruel truth is moisture finds its way in faster and faster as a vehicle gets left colder and colder for longer and longer. Condensation builds up on cold parts inside unless the train is totally airtight which is never possible. That is more so with the outside but the outside should cope better anyway except for underneath of course.

In the case of Marchwood it is moisture laden air that is, worse still, also salty.

But I get the impression the units have been run up on a shore supply periodically - but maybe not at all storage locations and obviously not for a proper energy using and dissipating run.

As for wrapping. I bet wrapping and unwrapping is time consuming and may have been done to varying degrees on each unit. I can imagine a few electronics boxes getting overlooked and overheating if unwrapping is missed !.

I don't know for sure how well the stored 701s were looked after and if it was enough BUT I do know stored vehicles suffer from lack of use. They end up with all sorts of problems that would never afflict even a bug ridden brand new vehicle.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Panic over...

Looks like the diagram that starts with 2U06 has permanently moved over to 701. I know it was temporarily 701 in the final week of the reduced timetable.

It was indeed 701013 today

Another diagram not hitherto a 701 regular was the one starting 2c15, today operated by 701005. Don't know if this was a one-off
2c15 - 2c26 - 2s29 - 2s38 - 2s43 - 2s52 - 2v53 (EDIT - I stand corrected, it's a regular diagram, but had lost it's first run - 2R05 - this morning so I didn't spot it)

Conversely, 2h93 (1743 Shepperton via Richmond) , which has been a 701 since September 30th last year, was a pair of 455s today

 

[Goldfish62]

Another diagram not hitherto a 701 regular was the one starting 2c15, today operated by 701005. Don't know if this was a one-off
2c15 - 2c26 - 2s29 - 2s38 - 2s43 - 2s52 - 2v53

That's been a 701 diagram for a few weeks now.

 

[norbitonflyer]

That's been a 701 diagram for a few weeks now.

So it has - I was confiunded by 2R05 (usually the first run on that diagram) not happening this morning so i didn't find it.

 

[Siemens Staines]

It was indeed 701013 today

Another diagram not hitherto a 701 regular was the one starting 2c15, today operated by 701005. Don't know if this was a one-off
2c15 - 2c26 - 2s29 - 2s38 - 2s43 - 2s52 - 2v53 (EDIT - I stand corrected, it's a regular diagram, but had lost it's first run - 2R05 - this morning so I didn't spot it)

Conversely, 2h93 (1743 Shepperton via Richmond) , which has been a 701 since September 30th last year, was a pair of 455s today

I think that 2H93 should have been a 701 today according to journeycheck;

17:43 London Waterloo to Shepperton due 18:29
18:35 Shepperton to London Waterloo due 19:36
19:42 London Waterloo to Shepperton due 20:35
20:40 Shepperton to London Waterloo due 21:36
21:42 London Waterloo to Shepperton due 22:35
22:40 Shepperton to London Waterloo due 23:36
23:57 London Waterloo to Shepperton due 00:51
Will be formed of 8 coaches instead of 10.
Last Updated:29/09/2025 14:35

As far as I know, there was no new 701 in to service today, so that only left 23 units for the 22 diagrams and one of those 23 has been out of passenger service for over a week (701053), so perhaps this is not too surprising.

 

[mansonlo49]

I think that 2H93 should have been a 701 today according to journeycheck;

17:43 London Waterloo to Shepperton due 18:29
18:35 Shepperton to London Waterloo due 19:36
19:42 London Waterloo to Shepperton due 20:35
20:40 Shepperton to London Waterloo due 21:36
21:42 London Waterloo to Shepperton due 22:35
22:40 Shepperton to London Waterloo due 23:36
23:57 London Waterloo to Shepperton due 00:51
Will be formed of 8 coaches instead of 10.
Last Updated:29/09/2025 14:35

As far as I know, there was no new 701 in to service today, so that only left 23 units for the 22 diagrams and one of those 23 has been out of passenger service for over a week (701053), so perhaps this is not too surprising.

there’s something not quite right then, the units should be rolling out stably each week(?)

 

[swr444]

there’s something not quite right then, the units should be rolling out stably each week(?)

nothing is perfect though is it, these are "new" trains which sometimes can have issues so need to be swapped with something else

 

[D365]

there’s something not quite right then, the units should be rolling out stably each week(?)

The reasons why (or why not in this case) have been discussed in great depth over the past few pages…

 

[norbitonflyer]

there’s something not quite right then, the units should be rolling out stably each week(?)

Yes, but they usually don't start on a Monday. I guess Monday is used for checking they are ready for service, so watch this space tomorrow.

 

[D7672]

27th September 2025
Noted at Clapham Junction yard was 701002,lowest,highest numbered 701528,there was 5 sets at Wimbledon depot 701001 and 701009,701054,
So far I have counted 28 x701/0,1 x 701/5.
I couldn't quite read what the other sets were on Wimbledon depot that morning and if anyone would differ on what sets are now in service would be appreciated

 

[brooklynbound]

SWR are now advertising on TV and they don't call themselves South Western Railway on that, just SWR. In my business we were told don't have sub brands. Arterio is certainly a sub brand. Most people will be happy with a train turning up on time, they don't need to know and won't remember it's an Arterio.

 

[Mag_seven]

A reminder that this thread is for the discussion of Class 701 progress updates.

I have had to move a whole series of posts that were actually discussing Realtime Trains. See this thread:

RealTimeTrains website

I am glad the problematic TOCs in question have been dragged kicking and screaming into sharing their allox. I think you have the wrong view of TOCs. They don't exist solely to provide information for enthusiasts, and some may have an objection to their data going in to RTT at the exclusion of...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[norbitonflyer]

As far as I know, there was no new 701 in to service today, so that only left 23 units for the 22 diagrams and one of those 23 has been out of passenger service for over a week (701053), so perhaps this is not too surprising.

Only 21 in service today. 701041 and 701053 absent. 2x455 on the 2o05/2H93 diagram and on the 2J92 Surbiton peakbuster.

 

[Siemens Staines]

Only 21 in service today. 701041 and 701053 absent. 2x455 on the 2o05/2H93 diagram and on the 2J92 Surbiton peakbuster.

In June, July and August there were 3, 4 and 4 701s new to passenger service respectively, but in September it was 2 (unless something dramatic happens in the remaining few hours of the month). Possibly, this may be a contributing factor to this?

 

[ScottGallagher]

Without wanting to be a doomonger, how are the 701s faring in the vandalism stakes since there's a sizeable amount in service now.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Without wanting to be a doomonger, how are the 701s faring in the vandalism stakes since there's a sizeable amount in service now.

A sign of our times regrettably. But taking the theme away from railway for a moment, some many years ago a car of mine was subject to repeated 'hit's by footballs from youngsters (8-14 years sort of age approx), as I had no option but to park in a public place. On witnessing yet another hit one day, which to those in the car trade will know, even a football can cause a minor 'ding' damage in body panels that will need many £s to repair, I'd had enough and approached said culprits, took possession of their football, and knowing where one or two of them lived, pointed towards the cars on their parents driveways, and asked them if said cars belonged to their parents - 'yes', was the answer, to which I then walked towards said cars with the football under my arm - it was a matter of seconds, no word of a lie, before the culprits were begging me - 'please mister, don't ......' (!).

After that I never had any problems.

ASB (anti social behaviour) needs to be nipped in the bud, end of!

Back to the railway and similar problems involving paint. A very well respected former colleague from my time on the job, at a certain depot, caught similar low life in the act of tagging a unit one night, and they were duly dealt with on the spot. Nothing illegal I will add, but enough of a warning that they got the message and never returned.

This country is far too soft on ASB these days, and then those who rule us wonder why things get out of hand...it ain't rocket science!

 

[Goldfish62]

Without wanting to be a doomonger, how are the 701s faring in the vandalism stakes since there's a sizeable amount in service now.

SWR trains don't tend to get targeted by significant vandalism.

All the ones I've been on have been as clean and untouched as the day they entered services.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

SWR trains don't tend to get targeted by significant vandalism.

They have been and are. It is only due to a proactive approach to take said units out of service and remove graffiti, that it isn't seen to last long on any given unit. This goes back to initiatives in SWT days.

 

[Goldfish62]

They have been and are. It is only due to a proactive approach to take said units out of service and remove graffiti, that it isn't seen to last long on any given unit. This goes back to initiatives in SWT days.

My experience is based on travelling on trains across the country. SWR are among the least affected in any urban area in my experience. If you want vandalised trains try South Eastern or Thameslink.

Anyway, getting back to the original query I have seen no signs of vandalism on the 701s.

 

[DMckduck]

One thing these "new" trains could do with pretty soon, is new bins.

Very noticeable at the weekend and in the evening that they become unusable due rubbish piling up on them.

Obviously they were tendered during a time when every extra person counted on board these units, but those days may never return. Better rubbish provision should be a necessity.