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

[adc82140]

Funny how they keep releasing new 701 diagrams and yet they can't fully run the current ones...

However, if I'm correct it means that a 701 competent driver and guard have been rostered, so the diagram could cut over to a 701 midweek if a new unit becomes available.

 

[Goldfish62]

SWR have made a social post recognising 25 701s in regular service: https://x.com/SW_Help/status/1983537137938219517

Their claim is factually incorrect...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Oct 2025 ==

At this rate they may as well convert everything over to a 701 diagram, I'm sure the DFT can get creative with a headline

The same thought crossed my mind.

 

[mansonlo49]

47727 just departed with another 701 unit, over an hour late from Long Marston

 

[Peter Sarf]

47727 just departed with another 701 unit, over an hour late from Long Marston

Looking at RTT it appears the loco may have run round at Norton Junction instead of further on at Worcester TC. Thus the last RTT report makes it only 9 minutes late. But then no sign of any further movement for 40 minutes. Has it gone pop ?.

Realtime Trains | 5Q70 1435 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 29/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q70 1435 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 29/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Either that or it did not reverse at Norton Junction and there are merely no reports further on to Worcester and back.



Does anyone know which 701 is being brought by 47727.

EDIT 17:30
To answer my own questions.

Looks like the second 16:21 at Norton Junction was indeedspurious. Now reappeared continuing over 70 minutes late. My last theory (no reports to/from Worcester) seems to be correct.

Also a friend says it is 701030 heading to Wimbledon.

 

[mansonlo49]

Looking at RTT it appears the loco may have run round at Norton Junction instead of further on at Worcester TC. Thus the last RTT report makes it only 9 minutes late. But then no sign of any further movement for 40 minutes. Has it gone pop ?.

Realtime Trains | 5Q70 1435 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 29/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q70 1435 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 29/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Either that or it did not reverse at Norton Junction and there are merely no reports further on to Worcester and back.

View attachment 191343

Does anyone know which 701 is being brought by 47727.

EDIT 17:30
To answer my own questions.

Looks like the second 16:21 at Norton Junction was indeedspurious. Now reappeared continuing over 70 minutes late. My last theory (no reports to/from Worcester) seems to be correct.

Also a friend says it is 701030 heading to Wimbledon.

it passed tuffley junction just now

 

[norbitonflyer]

SWR have made a social post recognising 25 701s in regular service: https://x.com/SW_Help/status/1983537137938219517

yes, butb tgere hqave never been more than 23 in service on the same day, and the last couple of days it's been 21. Staff shortages becuse of half-term?

 

[Meglos]

Their claim is factually incorrect...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Oct 2025 ==


The same thought crossed my mind.

The claim might be disingenous, but in fact they do have 25 701's which have run regularly in service. I've travelled as a passenger on all 25 of them! The 25 doesn't include the mythical 701028 although I actually managed a WAT-WNR-WAT on that on the week it ran in service.

 

[norbitonflyer]

The claim might be disingenous, but in fact they do have 25 701's which have run regularly in service. I've travelled as a passenger on all 25 of them! The 25 doesn't include the mythical 701028 although I actually managed a WAT-WNR-WAT on that on the week it ran in service.

Indeed. All 25 have been in service within the last seven days - 701013 was last seen last Thursday, all the others have been in service at least once since the weekend, and most of them every day.
Hiwever, it is now more than two weeks sincecany entered service.

 

[mansonlo49]

There's a move from Marchwood tomorrow, the loco should be 47727

 

[WWTownEnth]

Is it just me or do these moves out of storage seem particularly regular right now? I assume there is some concerted effort to have a large number ready for service when the winter timetable begins? Maybe that’s when the mythical switchover of a large number of diagrams will finally occur?

 

[mansonlo49]

Any ideas which unit came out from Marchwood earlier on? Thanks

 

[St. Paddy]

Any ideas which unit came out from Marchwood earlier on? Thanks

Reported elsewhere as 701014

 

[mansonlo49]

Reported elsewhere as 701014

Thanks

 

[60159]

There’s should be another unit coming out from long marston later today, 47727 on the way now

When did 055 transfer from Eastleigh to Clapham?

 

[norbitonflyer]

When did 055 transfer from Eastleigh to Clapham?

Only twenty out today.

I had a round trip to Waterloo - no 701s in either direction. First train was cancelled in each direction - trains I actually got were 2x458/5 and 2x455.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Is it just me or do these moves out of storage seem particularly regular right now? I assume there is some concerted effort to have a large number ready for service when the winter timetable begins? Maybe that’s when the mythical switchover of a large number of diagrams will finally occur?

There seems to be a more frequent move of a 701 onto SWR from storage. More noticeable is that, of late, no 701s are leaving SWR for storage - Also I have noticed the 455 scrap moves seem to be more regular.

 

[bb21]

Apologies I have been on leave then otherwise occupied for a few weeks lately so no updates from me, and the 701 programme also slowed down somewhat lately too.

701060 will be the next one ready for service, possibly in the morning, totalling 26 units passed for service.

 

[Pep and co]

701060
Starting on 5C05 Wimbledon Park to Waterloo then 2C05 Waterloo to Reading....

 

[Bigfoot]

no 701s are leaving SWR for storage

Why would trains be sent for storage which are being introduced into service?

 

[mansonlo49]

Why would trains be sent for storage which are being introduced into service?

Would he mean the 701/5 going to storage?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Why would trains be sent for storage which are being introduced into service?

That is the point.

In the past 701s were coming from store (at Bicester etc), spending time on SWR and then some being moved to Long Marston so back into store. That process of returning a proportion to store seems to have stopped more recently (since June 2025) thus indicating to me (once I thought about it) that a steady build up of 701s on SWR is happening. A build up that is greater than the number actually in service (26 + 701060 today). There are now actually 44 class 701/0s on SWR and as of today 27 have seen service (incl 028). So there are 17 701/0s that are in varying states of readiness for passenger service - more than 50% extra.

A fairly steady rate of arrivals from store at a greater rate than the number entering service. Now not balanced by 701s going back into store. So I believe a good pool of 701s available now SWR are confident. Lets hope training is (has) stepping up.

I actually believe, but have no proof, that Long Marston is where 701s that are the most ready for service (ignoring those kept on SWR) are being kept.

 

[Gordonman]

That is the point.

In the past 701s were coming from store (at Bicester etc), spending time on SWR and then some being moved to Long Marston so back into store. That process of returning a proportion to store seems to have stopped more recently (since June 2025) thus indicating to me (once I thought about it) that a steady build up of 701s on SWR is happening. A build up that is greater than the number actually in service (26 + 701060 today). There are now actually 44 class 701/0s on SWR and as of today 27 have seen service (incl 028). So there are 17 701/0s that are in varying states of readiness for passenger service - more than 50% extra.

A fairly steady rate of arrivals from store at a greater rate than the number entering service. Now not balanced by 701s going back into store. So I believe a good pool of 701s available now SWR are confident. Lets hope training is (has) stepping up.

I actually believe, but have no proof, that Long Marston is where 701s that are the most ready for service (ignoring those kept on SWR) are being kept.

I agree,if SWR currently require more 701's coming out of store,they could have moved 3 sets easily yesterday from Marchwood - Eastleigh in a shift instead of just the one.Not exactly a long distance move and better utilisation of the loco whilst it was down south.

 

[Bigfoot]

I agree,if SWR currently require more 701's coming out of store,they could have moved 3 sets easily yesterday from Marchwood - Eastleigh in a shift instead of just the one.Not exactly a long distance move and better utilisation of the loco whilst it was down south.

You forget that available pathways to move the loco and/or unit in both directions are needed, just because theres enough "time" doesn't mean there is capacity to move them whilst fitting between other services. Plus just because a loco is there doesn't mean that all other staff are available to perform their roles. Bigger picture always prevails.

 

[Peter Sarf]

You forget that available pathways to move the loco and/or unit in both directions are needed, just because theres enough "time" doesn't mean there is capacity to move them whilst fitting between other services. Plus just because a loco is there doesn't mean that all other staff are available to perform their roles. Bigger picture always prevails.

It is tempting to think that another set of STPs could have been fitted in for the afternoon.

HOWEVER the locomotive (47727) went off to Selhurst instead after the midday delivery to Eastleigh so not even a chance today even I guess.

I have a feeling that the 701s that go to Eastleigh might need more to be done. Yesterdays delivery (701014) had been at Marchwood since April 2024 (so 18 months, all of them there for over 10 months !). I wonder if Eastleigh gets the long stored ones (so most unready). Eastleigh is back up to five three 701s currently so maybe enough on their plate ?.

All we know for sure is that SWR gained two more 701/0s this week.
Long stored (18 months) 701014 to Eastleigh from Marchwood yesterday (Thursday 30/10/2025) and
Short stored (9 months) 701030 to Wimbledon from Long Marston on Wednesday 29/10/2025).
More than usual I think (?).

My guess is that 701030 will see action first before 701014

 

[Big Jumby 74]

That process of returning a proportion to store seems to have stopped more recently (since June 2025) thus indicating to me (once I thought about it) that a steady build up of 701s on SWR is happening.

That will likely have been assisted by the steady removal of 455's from the likes of Wimbledon depot for scrap, but there is only so far that theme can run due to less 10 car roads available there than 8 car roads. Looking at the 455 diagrams on the SWR web site, it appears there are still 4 x 8 car starting/finishing at Guildford everyday - I suspect that may become the next pinch point in so far as until enough Guildford crews are trained on 701, the switch from 455 to 701 there can not take place. Sure it's all in hand.

 

[Pippy1505]

The claim might be disingenous, but in fact they do have 25 701's which have run regularly in service. I've travelled as a passenger on all 25 of them! The 25 doesn't include the mythical 701028 although I actually managed a WAT-WNR-WAT on that on the week it ran in service.

028 moved to Wimbledon on 28/10 from Clapham ECS

 

[wickham]

That will likely have been assisted by the steady removal of 455's from the likes of Wimbledon depot for scrap, but there is only so far that theme can run due to less 10 car roads available there than 8 car roads. Looking at the 455 diagrams on the SWR web site, it appears there are still 4 x 8 car starting/finishing at Guildford everyday - I suspect that may become the next pinch point in so far as until enough Guildford crews are trained on 701, the switch from 455 to 701 there can not take place. Sure it's all in hand.

Both "North Box Sidings" at Guildford are 10 car roads, not sure about the "up carriage sidings", at least one of these might be 10 car length, but don't forget that Guildford also beths in several platforms overnight, so accommodating 4 x 10 car trains shound not be too much of a problem.

 

[pompeyfan]

Both "North Box Sidings" at Guildford are 10 car roads, not sure about the "up carriage sidings", at least one of these might be 10 car length, but don't forget that Guildford also beths in several platforms overnight, so accommodating 4 x 10 car trains shound not be too much of a problem.

Not quite that simple, you’d need to redesign the unit and crewing diagrams to accommodate where the units berth. You’d have to start putting the Desiros into the sidings and only Guildford crews sign the sidings. Also doesn’t help that a unit self prep on a 701 is close to an hour, where as an 8 car 450 is close to half that. Net result is more drivers required.

 

[Andy1673]

I wonder how they will serve 26 diagrams with only 26 units in passenger service from Monday or again some 455s will substitute?

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Both "North Box Sidings" at Guildford are 10 car roads, not sure about the "up carriage sidings", at least one of these might be 10 car length, but don't forget that Guildford also beths in several platforms overnight, so accommodating 4 x 10 car trains shound not be too much of a problem.

I am very well versed on the stabling capacity of the entire SW network, and I say that in a friendly way with a wry smile on my boat race , but yes you are quite correct in what you say about individual siding capacity.

My point here was about crew knowledge, driver side particularly. Until there are sufficient Guildford drivers/crews trained on 701 in order that booked (WTT) unit diagrams that both start and finish at Guildford in a manner that the units (in quantity) will balance each night, without the planners having to re write mountains of diagrams (stock and crew) on an STP basis, any change in stock type stabled will have to await sufficient 701 trained crew resilience at GF depot.