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

[mansonlo49]

701043 been inside today but out later:

Realtime Trains | 2H93 1743 London Waterloo to Shepperton | 11/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 2H93 1743 departure from London Waterloo to Shepperton on 11/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I saw this is 048 here

 

[norbitonflyer]

701043 been inside today but out later:

Realtime Trains | 2H93 1743 London Waterloo to Shepperton | 11/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 2H93 1743 departure from London Waterloo to Shepperton on 11/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

043 is on the diagram that started with 1D12 this morning and curretly working 2D39

 

[swr444]

deleted

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Nov 2025 ==

I can imagine they are fairly regular 701 moves, particularly to/from Clapham Yard.

It might indicate moves to make space available for a delivery from Long Marston etc.
Especially as the 455 scrap move today was cancelled (both of them !!!).

There are three entries for a Derby RTC to Wimbledon Park light loco tomorrow afternoon - evening.
Bet some/all of these are "cancelled" but one of them could be a light loco for a resurrected 455 scrap move.

View attachment 192064

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:27565/2025-11-11/detailed this one is running, currently on the approach to Surbiton

 

[Minstral25]

That's a 5Q. Not a passenger run?

Oops

 

[Feathers44]

Yesterday's record outing should include at least -0.5 for the planning fail with 2D51 17:39 WAT-GLD, where the driver that eventually reached the platform had to announce to a well loaded train that he wasn't 'licensed' to drive it (that was the PA announcement according to a friend). Accepting mistakes happen but for a service which has been scheduled as a 701 for months, this does seem like a self inflicted shooting in both feet.

The subsequent service 2D53 (unit 048) then faulted at Ashtead for 20 minutes, luckily being recovered by the driver it seems.

It's makes me long for the 455s to come back some days.

Well that explains it. As someone who was waiting for it at CLJ, this was somewhat annoying and the messaging confused. First delayed then cancelled. On the upside, I seem to have guessed the circumstances correctly.

 

[Peter Sarf]

deleted

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Nov 2025 ==


https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:27565/2025-11-11/detailed this one is running, currently on the approach to Surbiton

Turns out 37884 failed yesterday at Wimbledon.
Mk 1 eyeball saw 37800 came down with dit 37508 (508 ? - blame my memory) on this 0Z87 today.
37800 will do the scrap run to Newport tomorrow.
37(508 ?) dragging 37884 back to Derby this evening on 0M58 :-

Realtime Trains | 0M58 1830 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) | 11/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 0M58 1830 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) on 11/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

MORE IMPORTANTLY a 701 delivery is tomorrow from Long Marston 5Q70 :-

Realtime Trains | 5Q70 1435 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 12/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q70 1435 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 12/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Yesterday's record outing should include at least -0.5 for the planning fail with 2D51 17:39 WAT-GLD, where the driver that eventually reached the platform had to announce to a well loaded train that he wasn't 'licensed' to drive it (that was the PA announcement according to a friend). Accepting mistakes happen but for a service which has been scheduled as a 701 for months, this does seem like a self inflicted shooting in both feet.

The subsequent service 2D53 (unit 048) then faulted at Ashtead for 20 minutes, luckily being recovered by the driver it seems.

It's makes me long for the 455s to come back some days.

Well that explains it. As someone who was waiting for it at CLJ, this was somewhat annoying and the messaging confused. First delayed then cancelled. On the upside, I seem to have guessed the circumstances correctly.

For clarity on the matter, I was the guard for this service. Not to apportion any blame, but the dispatchers wrongly assumed that the driver was up front and initiated the dispatch procedure.

Then, when I wasn't able to gain interlock (and nobody answered the cab-to-cab phone), it transpired that the driver wasn't there, at which point the service was "delayed" pending the arrival of the driver.

Following a phone call with control, I was then told that "a driver* has turned up but he doesn't sign 701s" and that because of this the service was to be cancelled, which I then had to relay to passengers.

* It was not known whether this was the rostered driver or a driver drafted in to cover the duty in the absence of the rostered driver, so may have not necessarily been a planning error if the latter.

 

[dingdinger]

According to RTT 701002 is working first service today

Realtime Trains | 5Q03 1115 London Waterloo to London Waterloo | 11/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q03 1115 departure from London Waterloo to London Waterloo on 11/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Not in service, driver training I believe

 

[mansonlo49]

There’s another path departing Marchwood tomorrow, if it doesn’t got cancelled

Realtime Trains | 5Q88 0957 Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Eastleigh Trsmd | 13/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q88 0957 departure from Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Eastleigh Trsmd on 13/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Peter Sarf]

There’s another path departing Marchwood tomorrow, if it doesn’t got cancelled

Realtime Trains | 5Q88 0957 Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Eastleigh Trsmd | 13/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q88 0957 departure from Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Eastleigh Trsmd on 13/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I feel this is more likely to run because last weeks did not !.

I think the 0Z76 loco off todays delivery (Long Marston to Wimbledon) going straight down to Eastleigh suggests it is likely (especially if it runs).

Realtime Trains | 0Z76 2152 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Eastleigh East Yard | 12/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Z76 2152 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Eastleigh East Yard on 12/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[mansonlo49]

I think the loco off todays delivery (Long Marston to Wimbledon) going straight down to Eastleigh suggests it is likely (especially if it runs).

last week loco went into Marchwood but didn’t haul the 701 out

 

[Peter Sarf]

last week loco went into Marchwood but didn’t haul the 701 out

Indeed. I think (istr) it worked on MOD traffic out of there instead.

 

[chalky80]

For clarity on the matter, I was the guard for this service.

@lxfe_mxtterz Thanks for the detailed explanation. Interesting to see behind the scenes.

I had hoped the 701s performance would allow recovery of small delays. Personal experience is currently the inverse; late at Raynes Park means even later by Epsom. Accepting however that even multiple personal trips to do not qualify as hard data. Maybe leaf season performance is masking something. What's your impression as someone working them regularly?

 

[OneTrackMinded]

I had hoped the 701s performance would allow recovery of small delays. Personal experience is currently the inverse; late at Raynes Park means even later by Epsom.

This is a strange phenomenon that has been mentioned upthread. Doesn’t make any sense as you say considering the very rapid performance.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

@lxfe_mxtterz Thanks for the detailed explanation. Interesting to see behind the scenes.

I had hoped the 701s performance would allow recovery of small delays. Personal experience is currently the inverse; late at Raynes Park means even later by Epsom. Accepting however that even multiple personal trips to do not qualify as hard data. Maybe leaf season performance is masking something. What's your impression as someone working them regularly?

In my experience, they perform well on off-peak services where they certainly seem to claw back lost time easily, often managing to keep to time on the Epsom line which is much more difficult in a 450.

The problem begins when you've got a busy peak-time service and the guard ends up having to work from the rear cab. The infrastructure is just not designed for dispatch from the extreme rear of a 10-car train.

At places like Vauxhall and Clapham Junction dispatch is almost impossible without having to walk two or three coaches down, even with dispatchers provided (banner repeater is not visible any further back than the eighth coach at Clapham Junction on the down slow).

This inevitably ends up eating into dwell time. On my peak-time down Woking stopper yesterday, I was +10 by Surbiton due to the difficulties in dispatching from the rear. I would hope this is something which will be rectified in time through the use of additional CCTV monitors.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

This inevitably ends up eating into dwell time. On my peak-time down Woking stopper yesterday, I was +10 by Surbiton due to the difficulties in dispatching from the rear. I would hope this is something which will be rectified in time through the use of additional CCTV monitors.

The internal plan is still to move to DCO once infrastructure upgrades (e.g. lighting) have been completed. ASLEF drivers are still on the DCO increased pay package.

 

[Pippy1505]

5Q70 Long Marston - Wimbledon 47727 hauling 701010

 

[Flange Squeal]

Maybe leaf season performance is masking something. What's your impression as someone working them regularly?

Drivers are required to drive differently to how they normally would depending on what colour code each day has been given, listed on two daily notices notice taking into account factors such as the weather forecast. This policy includes restrictions on the speed at which they can approach/enter platforms, for one. This may contribute some days.

 

[Bigfoot]

Drivers are required to drive differently to how they normally would depending on what colour code each day has been given, listed on two daily notices notice taking into account factors such as the weather forecast. This policy includes restrictions on the speed at which they can approach/enter platforms, for one. This may contribute some days.

Not helped when the day is a 'restrictive' colour but the conditions do not reflect the real world either.

Drivers hands are tied during leaf fall. The conditions might be perfect, but the policy is not flexible.

 

[NSEWonderer]

@lxfe_mxtterz Thanks for the detailed explanation. Interesting to see behind the scenes.

I had hoped the 701s performance would allow recovery of small delays. Personal experience is currently the inverse; late at Raynes Park means even later by Epsom. Accepting however that even multiple personal trips to do not qualify as hard data. Maybe leaf season performance is masking something. What's your impression as someone working them regularly?

During leaf fall season, barely any trains will be making up time as rapidly as out of it. Especially with this week having several of the higher level low adhesion colours, drivers have to brake earlier, do running brake tests more frequently and do half what they usually would on entrance to a booked station stop.

 

[Meglos]

They seemed to be having more problems with the 701's vs 455 yesterday evening, with slippery rails. The 701's were running late, with skip stopping happening whereas the 455's were running to time.

The Chessington service I wanted from Wimbledon went Waterloo to Raynes Park direct, whereas the 455 on the Hampton Court stopped as usual. It didn't help that both the previous and subsequent Chessington services were cancelled.

 

[wickham]

Indeed. I think (istr) it worked on MOD traffic out of there instead.

No, it came back to Eastleigh light engine last week as there was no compident staff to sign the "fitness to run certificate", don't know quite how this was overlooked !
In light of this, there is probably a very good chance that tomorrow's trip (13/11) will run, as they won't want to fall into the same trap again !

 

[NSEWonderer]

They seemed to be having more problems with the 701's vs 455 yesterday evening, with slippery rails. The 701's were running late, with skip stopping happening whereas the 455's were running to time.

The Chessington service I wanted from Wimbledon went Waterloo to Raynes Park direct, whereas the 455 on the Hampton Court stopped as usual. It didn't help that both the previous and subsequent Chessington services were cancelled.

That might not be specifically down to 701s but down to how drivers "follow" said low adhesion policy. Also 455s as know have only 3 main braking stages which often means applying the policy leads to having to release in the platform and then reapply which is a particular discussion for drivers. 701s send data back in pretty much realtime to the relevant people that want to access it vs 455 ill say.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

They seemed to be having more problems with the 701's vs 455 yesterday evening, with slippery rails. The 701's were running late, with skip stopping happening whereas the 455's were running to time.

The Chessington service I wanted from Wimbledon went Waterloo to Raynes Park direct, whereas the 455 on the Hampton Court stopped as usual. It didn't help that both the previous and subsequent Chessington services were cancelled.

Again this is confusing considering the 701s have a more advanced WSP system than the 455s. Would be appreciated if someone could explain this.

Edit: Post above this one which was sent at the exact same time provides some explanation.

 

[TEW]

Next week's new diagram is a bit more complicated as it does involve a change to a current one;
5N92 0635 Farnham Shed to Farnham
1N92 0646 Farnham to London Waterloo
Then works 2C19, 0850 to Reading from a current diagram.

2H96, 0800 Shepperton to London Waterloo on a current diagram now forms;
2O17 0900 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K21 1027 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O29 1200 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K33 1327 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O41 1500 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K45 1627 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
1N95 1813 London Waterloo to Aldershot
5A96 1951 Aldershot to Clapham Yard

A 701 is berthed at Farnham Shed with the ECS from 2F71, 2250 London Waterloo to Woking running there.

 

[MasterPhillips]

Next week's new diagram is a bit more complicated as it does involve a change to a current one;
5N92 0635 Farnham Shed to Farnham
1N92 0646 Farnham to London Waterloo
Then works 2C19, 0850 to Reading from a current diagram.

That is a positive change, as 2H96 only has a 5 minute turnaround before forming 2C19. Now it has 15 minutes before forming 2O17.

1N92 now has 22 minutes before forming 2C19.

 

[mansonlo49]

Next week's new diagram is a bit more complicated as it does involve a change to a current one;
5N92 0635 Farnham Shed to Farnham
1N92 0646 Farnham to London Waterloo
Then works 2C19, 0850 to Reading from a current diagram.

2H96, 0800 Shepperton to London Waterloo on a current diagram now forms;
2O17 0900 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K21 1027 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O29 1200 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K33 1327 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O41 1500 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K45 1627 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
1N95 1813 London Waterloo to Aldershot
5A96 1951 Aldershot to Clapham Yard

A 701 is berthed at Farnham Shed with the ECS from 2F71, 2250 London Waterloo to Woking running there.

is it all still operated by 701/0? Thanks

 

[pompeyfan]

That might not be specifically down to 701s but down to how drivers "follow" said low adhesion policy. Also 455s as know have only 3 main braking stages which often means applying the policy leads to having to release in the platform and then reapply which is a particular discussion for drivers. 701s send data back in pretty much realtime to the relevant people that want to access it vs 455 ill say.

At the risk of derailing this thread, all of the SWR fleet can be remotely monitored at any time in detail, as can the FFCCTV and internal CCTV.

 

[Boalbads]

is it all still operated by 701/0? Thanks

no 701/5s in passenger service yet if thats what you mean

 

[Siemens Staines]

Next week's new diagram is a bit more complicated as it does involve a change to a current one;
5N92 0635 Farnham Shed to Farnham
1N92 0646 Farnham to London Waterloo
Then works 2C19, 0850 to Reading from a current diagram.

2H96, 0800 Shepperton to London Waterloo on a current diagram now forms;
2O17 0900 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K21 1027 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O29 1200 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K33 1327 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O41 1500 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K45 1627 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
1N95 1813 London Waterloo to Aldershot
5A96 1951 Aldershot to Clapham Yard

A 701 is berthed at Farnham Shed with the ECS from 2F71, 2250 London Waterloo to Woking running there.

Thank you for this. Presumably the pair of 450s released from this will knock out another pair of 455s? I think that after this change, only four pairs of 450 will remain on the outer suburban Windsor line trains via Staines (diagrams commencing 1S08, 2C08, 2C12 & 1N90).