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

[TEW]

Actually thought we may be in for a repeat today although this time I was sitting on 020 (I think) at Waterloo as departure time came and went. The CIS wasn’t set up so I had my suspicions.

The guard handled it well, clear announcement, waiting for the driver, no ETA etc. This time all was well, a driver materialised and once we got clearance we were on our way. 11 late but a knock-on from a delayed in-bound service is what we were told. Whoever was working the train clearly had ‘the knack’ I’ve heard described for clear PA announcements too.

If it was peak time they were probably working from the rear cab where making announcements is not an issue, as the handsets there are decent quality.

 

[Stephen42]

Clapham Yard at 1120 today (13.11.25):
701002 701015 701024 701028 701033 701050 701054 701503 (on it's own), 701528 and another, presumably still 701529.
Another 16 were noted in traffic between 1120 and 1300, plus 458533+458530:
Can anyone say were 701001 is now hiding - it was doing fault free mileage runs in late September but seem now to have gone to ground !

Not sure where 701001 is now. As a sign of the amount of shuffling around, just this evening 701059 has gone to Clapham leaving 701004, 701030 and 701040 at Farnham. 701050 then left Clapham for Wimbledon an hour later.

As well as the Marchwood to Eastleigh move tomorrow, SW now have a schedule in to move one from Eastleigh to Wimbledon.

Realtime Trains | 5Q96 1219 Eastleigh Trsmd to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 14/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q96 1219 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 14/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Peter Mugridge]

One of them moves every weekday, back and forth about 10 feet, about 8 or 10 times.

I saw that last week; presumably coupling / uncoupling testing and / or training?

The move was protected by a "stop" lamp clipped to one of the running rails!

 

[w11_supremecy]

If it was peak time they were probably working from the rear cab where making announcements is not an issue, as the handsets there are decent quality.

Some of the handsets in the saloon area can allow you to make really clear announcements without having feeling like you have to put it directly on your mouth, but it’s hit and miss on even one unit let alone the whole 701 class. You are right though, the handsets in the cabs are of a much higher quality and you can use them normally. The handsets in the saloon areas are made of cheap plastic and have a horrible design, they are so small and are straight, and the advice us guards have been given is to place the bottom of the handset where the microphone is next to your mouth so it picks up your voice better. But because the button you have to hold to speak is so close to the mic since the handset is laughably small and cheap, it makes it a lottery if your announcement will be legible or not, even if you are using it as advised...

 

[D365]

One of them moves every weekday, back and forth about 10 feet, about 8 or 10 times.

I saw that last week; presumably coupling / uncoupling testing and / or training?

The move was protected by a "stop" lamp clipped to one of the running rails!

When a rail vehicle is in storage, the wheels require periodic rotation. This is in order to mitigate damage to the wheels and bearings as a result of being sat in one position for too long.

 

[mansonlo49]

just spotted there’s two 5Q88 occurring today, which is the one that’ll operate? Thanks

 

[ls2270]

just spotted there’s two 5Q88 occurring today, which is the one that’ll operate? Thanks

The one to Wimbledon is the one that’s running.

 

[mansonlo49]

The one to Wimbledon is the one that’s running.

OK thanks, just seen

 

[wickham]

When a rail vehicle is in storage, the wheels require periodic rotation. This is in order to mitigate damage to the wheels and bearings as a result of being sat in one position for too long.

This is very true - I understand it is the bearings that are the real concern, they are not intended to take the weight in one spot for an extended period. I just wonder if the stored units at Marchwood, Bicester and Long Marston get moved in the same manner. All these locations do have internal shunting locomotives, so it is quite possible.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I have even recently been wondering why 701528 + 701529 have been "hoarding" a >= ten car siding at Clapham Junction

Sure some/many(?) of the 701/5's will in due course be diagrammed to run as 10 car, so will at certain times need 10 car siding space. Also I seem to recall a-another on here (a driver?) mentioning that as the 5 car units have some unique (my phrase) differences from the 10 car sets, certain training is being undertaken at/from Clapham.
In addition back in the lead up to the original SWT 10 car plan, a new inspection pit was installed in the carriage shed as part of the (as was) 458/5 introduction period - can't remember the exact date the pit building work was undertaken - but this allowed for certain activities to be undertaken at Clapham, so as not to overload Wimbledon depot.

One of them moves every weekday, back and forth about 10 feet, about 8 or 10 times

Coupling/uncoupling training?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Nov 2025 ==

I saw that last week; presumably coupling / uncoupling testing and / or training?

Oops - sorry, didn't notice your similar comment..

 

[LambicHedgehog]

Reported elsewhere as 47727 + 701019 on 5Q88 this morning

 

[NSEWonderer]

No. 011 at Wimbledon Depot. Half of it was split for work to be carried out on the roof in the roof level shed just beside it.

010 was inside the actual depot too, being worked on. There was two 701/5 single 5 cars on different roads near the top of the depot.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Some of the handsets in the saloon area can allow you to make really clear announcements without having feeling like you have to put it directly on your mouth, but it’s hit and miss on even one unit let alone the whole 701 class. You are right though, the handsets in the cabs are of a much higher quality and you can use them normally. The handsets in the saloon areas are made of cheap plastic and have a horrible design, they are so small and are straight, and the advice us guards have been given is to place the bottom of the handset where the microphone is next to your mouth so it picks up your voice better. But because the button you have to hold to speak is so close to the mic since the handset is laughably small and cheap, it makes it a lottery if your announcement will be legible or not, even if you are using it as advised...

I have noticed that there seems to be two types of saloon handsets - one with just the single hole for the microphone, and the other with multiple holes for the microphone. Even on a single unit, it's all a bit random as to which type is at any GOP.

Though I've found the latter type with the multiple holes to work slightly better (still not great, but there's the chance you'll be able to finish your sentence without being cut off).

Still, the cab handset will always be my go-to unless I really have to use one of the saloon handsets.

 

[D365]

This is very true - I understand it is the bearings that are the real concern, they are not intended to take the weight in one spot for an extended period. I just wonder if the stored units at Marchwood, Bicester and Long Marston get moved in the same manner. All these locations do have internal shunting locomotives, so it is quite possible.

Yes, this is supposed to happen.

 

[w11_supremecy]

I have noticed that there seems to be two types of saloon handsets - one with just the single hole for the microphone, and the other with multiple holes for the microphone. Even on a single unit, it's all a bit random as to which type is at any GOP.

Though I've found the latter type with the multiple holes to work slightly better (still not great, but there's the chance you'll be able to finish your sentence without being cut off).

Still, the cab handset will always be my go-to unless I really have to use one of the saloon handsets.

Agreed, I noticed the double-holed mic a few weeks ago. The thing with the cab handset is unless you are working a peak service that is incredibly busy, it isn't realistic to use the cab handset. Unless it's a really busy peak service, it's just counter-productive to work from the rear cab, since at certain stations you have to walk up around 3 coaches to view CCTV, and it is just too much of a hassle to do so for a normal service. Whole situation is a bit of a mess with the working conditions, even though I actually am in the minority and rather enjoy working 701s in isolation.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

When a rail vehicle is in storage, the wheels require periodic rotation. This is in order to mitigate damage to the wheels and bearings as a result of being sat in one position for too long.

If it was just housekeeping for the bearings, would they not have left the two units coupled and moved them both instead of just one...?

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Agreed, I noticed the double-holed mic a few weeks ago. The thing with the cab handset is unless you are working a peak service that is incredibly busy, it isn't realistic to use the cab handset. Unless it's a really busy peak service, it's just counter-productive to work from the rear cab, since at certain stations you have to walk up around 3 coaches to view CCTV, and it is just too much of a hassle to do so for a normal service. Whole situation is a bit of a mess with the working conditions, even though I actually am in the minority and rather enjoy working 701s in isolation.

Agreed. I tend to dispatch from the rear at Waterloo so I can use the cab handset for my announcement then walk down towards the middle for the remainder of the journey.

I too do enjoy working the 701s during quieter off-peak hours but they're a nightmare (for the reasons you outline) during rush hour currently.

 

[D365]

Coupling/uncoupling training?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Nov 2025 ==


Oops - sorry, didn't notice your similar comment..

There is no training currently taking place on the 701/5s.

 

[NSEWonderer]

There is no training currently taking place on the 701/5s.

There is, the 701/5s at clapham are only being used for uncoupling and coupling purposes as there is realistically no way to use the 701/0s to practice / train rescue purpose based coupling and uncoupling. The two seen at Clapham, nearest to Platform 7 indeed are used for the purpose of training and assessing coupling and uncoupling.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There is, the 701/5s are only being used for uncoupling and coupling purposes as there is realistically no way to use the 701/0s to practice / train rescue purpose based coupling and uncoupling. The two seen at Clapham, nearest to Platform 7 indeed are used for the purpose of training and assessing coupling and uncoupling.

Thank you, at least my deductive skills aren't too rusty yet!

 

[adc82140]

What magnitude of conversion training is likely to be needed for crews to sign the /5s? Aside from being half the length of /0s, are there any other major differences?

 

[w11_supremecy]

Agreed. I tend to dispatch from the rear at Waterloo so I can use the cab handset for my announcement then walk down towards the middle for the remainder of the journey.

I too do enjoy working the 701s during quieter off-peak hours but they're a nightmare (for the reasons you outline) during rush hour currently.

Agreed.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Reported elsewhere as 47727 + 701019 on 5Q88 this morning

I saw 47727 at 1236 didn't get the 701 number at the time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Nov 2025 ==

What magnitude of conversion training is likely to be needed for crews to sign the /5s? Aside from being half the length of /0s, are there any other major differences?

Yes.Coupling up.

 

[talldave]

Agreed, I noticed the double-holed mic a few weeks ago. The thing with the cab handset is unless you are working a peak service that is incredibly busy, it isn't realistic to use the cab handset. Unless it's a really busy peak service, it's just counter-productive to work from the rear cab, since at certain stations you have to walk up around 3 coaches to view CCTV, and it is just too much of a hassle to do so for a normal service. Whole situation is a bit of a mess with the working conditions, even though I actually am in the minority and rather enjoy working 701s in isolation.

Don't stress, the silence is golden!!

More seriously though, does anyone know why the automated system does two "Change here...." announcements on approach to Twickenham? I'm not sure if it's just in one direction and only on some units, but it's weird.

 

[Goldfish62]

Don't stress, the silence is golden!!

More seriously though, does anyone know why the automated system does two "Change here...." announcements on approach to Twickenham? I'm not sure if it's just in one direction and only on some units, but it's weird.

Hopefully one of the things that will be eliminated by the forthcoming software upgrade.

 

[Snow1964]

When a rail vehicle is in storage, the wheels require periodic rotation. This is in order to mitigate damage to the wheels and bearings as a result of being sat in one position for too long.

From memory the new wheel diameter is 825mm, so if it moves 2.6m or 8.5 feet, end up with wheels almost exactly same position.

Whilst moving it avoids long term seizure, not a great idea to move it back and forward to exactly the same spot each time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2025 ==

What magnitude of conversion training is likely to be needed for crews to sign the /5s? Aside from being half the length of /0s, are there any other major differences?

Not really differences, the 10car sets are virtually pair of 5cars back to back (but without the cabs in the middle).

The significance of training is that 5car units will be coupled and uncoupled at locations. Does not happen with 10car units so the joining/splitting isn't in the current training. That is going to be taught later.

 

[MasterPhillips]

Hopefully one of the things that will be eliminated by the forthcoming software upgrade.

Hopefully they can also stop the system from announcing the entire calling pattern of a service after every stop. Incredibly annoying when travelling from Reading where there is 17 stops

 

[w11_supremecy]

Hopefully they can also stop the system from announcing the entire calling pattern of a service after every stop. Incredibly annoying when travelling from Reading where there is 17 stops

Try a Kingston or Hounslow rounder...

I've heard internally that should be fixed for the update in the first few months of next year hopefully. Clearly the plan has been to focus on getting the trains into service which is understandable, as annoying as it is to listen to non-stop announcements.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

I've heard internally that should be fixed for the update in the first few months of next year i’ hopefully. Clearly the plan has been to focus on getting the trains into service which is understandable, as annoying as it is to listen to non-stop announcements.

Additionally, the side screens by the doors will receive a complete overhaul with metro features like a moving map.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

A good day for 701s on the Wimbledon side today, apparently.

Did random searches at Kingston, Chessington South, Ewell West and Hampton Court for around about 8pm, and everything showing was a 701.


Image shows RealTime Trains departures for Kingston, Chessington South, Ewell West and Hampton Court. All are 701s.

And then even Raynes Park, 12 out of consecutive 13 departures 701. The odd one out was a pair of 450s.



I’m aware there’s several closures and bus replacements today, but still great to see.