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

[Bigfoot]

Looks like 701033 if the reports are true will be out for a short while due to an unfortunate incident today.

No contact, just a witness.

 

[Peter Sarf]

This might be a little optimistic, over the Christman-New Year break they only usually have minimal staff on duty.

I agree but then maybe the normal demands on said staff (and paths) will also be minimal - just maybe.

 

[Snow1964]

Very odd path tomorrow, don't know if it will be a 701 (is pathed at 75mph). Wonder if a 5car unit is being moved around

Clapham Junction - Woking - Guildford - Oxshott - Waterloo

Realtime Trains | 5T91 0845 Clapham Yard Sidings to London Waterloo | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5T91 0845 departure from Clapham Yard Sidings to London Waterloo on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Then seems to continue as Waterloo -Epsom - Clapham Yard

Realtime Trains | 5T92 1155 London Waterloo to Clapham Yard Sidings | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5T92 1155 departure from London Waterloo to Clapham Yard Sidings on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Peter Sarf]

Very odd path tomorrow, don't know if it will be a 701 (is pathed at 75mph). Wonder if a 5car unit is being moved around

Clapham Junction - Woking - Guildford - Oxshott - Waterloo

Realtime Trains | 5T91 0845 Clapham Yard Sidings to London Waterloo | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5T91 0845 departure from Clapham Yard Sidings to London Waterloo on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Then seems to continue as Waterloo -Epsom - Clapham Yard

Realtime Trains | 5T92 1155 London Waterloo to Clapham Yard Sidings | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5T92 1155 departure from London Waterloo to Clapham Yard Sidings on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I have been wondering at what stage SWR might find there are some 701/5s that are easier to get into service than the remaining 701/0s. There is bound to be one or two stragglers but 11 currently out of 60 701/0s might be a bit extreme.

Also some 701/5s might be an easier way of getting rid of the last 455 diagrams that require splitting and joining. Currently it seems 450s and 458s will be used to cover those 455 diagrams BUT I wonder how close some 701/5s are ?.

Of course, first of all there will be training runs I suspect so service perhaps not very imminent. What sort of mainline training runs, if any, might be necessary on 701/5s to convert crew from 701/0s ?.

 

[Snow1964]

Of course, first of all there will be training runs I suspect so service perhaps not very imminent. What sort of mainline training runs, if any, might be necessary on 701/5s to convert crew from 701/0s ?.

There seems to have been conflicting comments, and not sure which is correct of these :

1) the 5car are basically same, so can operate either length as all controls identical
2) they have differences, so need extra training
3) the extra training covers joining and splitting pairs of units, and checking all ok afterwards, so is irrelevant when there is single unit diagram all day

 

[Driver@swt]

Very odd path tomorrow, don't know if it will be a 701 (is pathed at 75mph). Wonder if a 5car unit is being moved around

Clapham Junction - Woking - Guildford - Oxshott - Waterloo

Realtime Trains | 5T91 0845 Clapham Yard Sidings to London Waterloo | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5T91 0845 departure from Clapham Yard Sidings to London Waterloo on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Then seems to continue as Waterloo -Epsom - Clapham Yard

Realtime Trains | 5T92 1155 London Waterloo to Clapham Yard Sidings | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5T92 1155 departure from London Waterloo to Clapham Yard Sidings on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5T headcodes are PTI test trains out of Clapham Yard. It will be a 701/0.

 

[Robert Carroll]

Looks like 701033 if the reports are true will be out for a short while due to an unfortunate incident today.

That would explain the disintegration of the service this evening. My journey home was by Underground and bus as a result.

Apologies if I missed it but were any new 701 diagrams due to begin today?

 

[bb21]

Also some 701/5s might be an easier way of getting rid of the last 455 diagrams that require splitting and joining. Currently it seems 450s and 458s will be used to cover those 455 diagrams BUT I wonder how close some 701/5s are ?.

There has not been a splitting/attaching 455 diagram for as long as I can remember (granted not as long as some others but quite a good stretch ).

 

[Stephen42]

Reading (and Windsor) services were combined with Kingston Loop ones at the weekend (reversing at Twickenham), because of maintenence east of Barnes, so they needed maximum capacity.

Reversing at Twickenham and going via Kingston prevents use of 458/4s which will be one of the main reasons for the switch.

Ah ha, well spotted. I had been looking out for a Marchwood to Eastleigh drag to no avail. This also explains the lack of an Eastleigh to Wimbledon move (not dragged).

I am sure SWR would like to have a few spare 701s floating about over the Christmas break incase they have time/space to test/commission more. Besides the 455s have been making space at an alarming rate (poor Derby !). Lets see how many of the 701 arrivals from last month get commissioned over the Christmas break.

The Wednesday path has now been uploaded as well, the light loco (47727) moved Monday to Eastleigh. Possibly all three will be attempted, maybe only some. Two 701s have left the commissioning pipeline into passenger service the last fortnight so the first two restores the not in passenger numbers.

With Marchwood nearly emptied, commercial considerations may also be a factor. It's plausible there are avoided costs making it worthwhile to fully empty even if that means a unit or two move onto SWR earlier than they would ideally.

That would explain the disintegration of the service this evening. My journey home was by Underground and bus as a result.

Apologies if I missed it but were any new 701 diagrams due to begin today?

A previous 701 diagram that was 455 last week has gone back to a 701. The one starting 5M03/2M03 which runs the following services:

L53770 5M03 0556 WIMBLEDON PARK DEPOT SDGS - WIMBLEDON 0608
L51225 2M03 0609 WIMBLEDON - CHESSINGTON S 0627
L51234 2M10 0634 CHESSINGTON S - LONDON WATERLOO 0713
L51231 2M09 0720 LONDON WATERLOO - CHESSINGTON S 0757
L51249 2M16 0804 CHESSINGTON S - LONDON WATERLOO 0843
L49474 2F15 0850 LONDON WATERLOO - WOKING 0938
L49500 2F24 1003 WOKING - LONDON WATERLOO 1052
L49770 2G25 1103 LONDON WATERLOO - GUILDFORD 1210
L49824 2G36 1234 GUILDFORD - LONDON WATERLOO 1337
L51306 2M35 1347 LONDON WATERLOO - CHESSINGTON S 1423
L51327 2M42 1434 CHESSINGTON S - LONDON WATERLOO 1510
L49552 2F41 1520 LONDON WATERLOO - WOKING 1608
L49580 2F50 1633 WOKING - LONDON WATERLOO 1722
L50651 2J51 1736 LONDON WATERLOO - HAMPTON COURT 1815
L50686 2J58 1824 HAMPTON COURT - LONDON WATERLOO 1901
L47149 1D57 1924 LONDON WATERLOO - DORKING 2016
L47179 1D66 2030 DORKING - LONDON WATERLOO 2126
L50730 2J67 2136 LONDON WATERLOO - HAMPTON COURT 2213
L50754 2J74 2224 HAMPTON COURT - LONDON WATERLOO 2303
L47198 1D73 2310 LONDON WATERLOO - DORKING 0002
L54325 5Y70 0009 DORKING - WIMBLEDON PARK DEPOT SDGS 0049

 

[bb21]

701030 could be the new girl on the block tomorrow.

 

[Snow1964]

The DfT documents relating to GBR issued today includes

Delivering the new Arterio fleet to transform their suburban network, with over 50% of morning high peak arrivals into Waterloo now on Arterio trains. These provide increased capacity and more comfort for passengers. SWR are aiming for most Arterios to be introduced by the end of Summer 2026 (75% of total schedules).

GBR: improvements train operators in public ownership are making for customers

Train operators in public ownership are demonstrating they are putting passengers first, by delivering customer improvements.

www.gov.uk

 

[Meglos]

701030 could be the new girl on the block tomorrow.

Appears to be running a one off service today on the 2J92 07:52 Surbiton to Waterloo service, before returning to Wimbledon Park

Realtime Trains | 2J92 0752 Surbiton to London Waterloo | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 2J92 0752 departure from Surbiton to London Waterloo on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Snow1964]

With Marchwood nearly emptied, commercial considerations may also be a factor. It's plausible there are avoided costs making it worthwhile to fully empty even if that means a unit or two move onto SWR earlier than they would ideally.

Possibly they only rented space until end of 2025
If so would need to empty Marchwood in next couple of weeks

Seems likely that an extension into 2026 is being avoided.

 

[87electric]

Appears to be running a one off service today on the 2J92 07:52 Surbiton to Waterloo service, before returning to Wimbledon Park

Realtime Trains | 2J92 0752 Surbiton to London Waterloo | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 2J92 0752 departure from Surbiton to London Waterloo on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Maybe out in the peaks later?

 

[Robert Carroll]

Reversing at Twickenham and going via Kingston prevents use of 458/4s which will be one of the main reasons for the switch.

The Wednesday path has now been uploaded as well, the light loco (47727) moved Monday to Eastleigh. Possibly all three will be attempted, maybe only some. Two 701s have left the commissioning pipeline into passenger service the last fortnight so the first two restores the not in passenger numbers.

With Marchwood nearly emptied, commercial considerations may also be a factor. It's plausible there are avoided costs making it worthwhile to fully empty even if that means a unit or two move onto SWR earlier than they would ideally.

A previous 701 diagram that was 455 last week has gone back to a 701. The one starting 5M03/2M03 which runs the following services:

Thanks.

 

[Peter Sarf]

.................................

The Wednesday path has now been uploaded as well, the light loco (47727) moved Monday to Eastleigh. Possibly all three will be attempted, maybe only some. Two 701s have left the commissioning pipeline into passenger service the last fortnight so the first two restores the not in passenger numbers.

With Marchwood nearly emptied, commercial considerations may also be a factor. It's plausible there are avoided costs making it worthwhile to fully empty even if that means a unit or two move onto SWR earlier than they would ideally.

....................................

I was going to buy into that thought but....

Delivery today looks to be off.....
Light engine Eastleigh to Marchwood 0Z84 cancelled.
One down two to go, maybe.

 

[strimmer]

5T headcodes are PTI test trains out of Clapham Yard. It will be a 701/0.

I went out for that at Guildford, but it turned back at Woking.

 

[Stephen42]

I was going to buy into that thought but....

Delivery today looks to be off.....
Light engine Eastleigh to Marchwood 0Z84 cancelled.
One down two to go, maybe.

The move is on for today, I forgot that the previous attempt the loco didn't look to leave Marchwood. 47739 doing the honours today, drag is approaching Eastleigh now:

Realtime Trains | 5Q84 1100 Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q84 1100 departure from Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Nimbus020]

That would explain the disintegration of the service this evening. My journey home was by Underground and bus as a result.

Apologies if I missed it but were any new 701 diagrams due to begin today?

Ditto - me too - my "Plan B" Thameslink train to Wimbledon was meant to be diverted via Mitcham to Sutton - after Streatham, however, the train was re-diverted back to its planned route via Wimbledon! - SWR suburban trains from W'don weren't stopping so it was on to a No 200 bus to Raynes Pk! (and a lift home)

 

[St. Paddy]

The move is on for today, I forgot that the previous attempt the loco didn't look to leave Marchwood. 47739 doing the honours today, drag is approaching Eastleigh now:

Realtime Trains | 5Q84 1100 Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q84 1100 departure from Marchwood Mod Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Reported elsewhere as being allocated 701038 for the drag

 

[wickham]

So, there is another 5Q84 Marchwood to Wimbledon now shown on RTT for tomorrow (Wed 10/12) ans another for Thursday (11/12), 47727 appears to be in the area as well as 47739 - but surely Wimbledon will not be able to accommodate 3 "new" units ?? Wait and see what happens. 701002 appears to be out again on 5Qxx runs today, might this be an early contender to enter service?

 

[davews]

Reading (and Windsor) services were combined with Kingston Loop ones at the weekend (reversing at Twickenham), because of maintenence east of Barnes, so they needed maximum capacity.

But why did they only do this on Sunday? There was the same reversal at Twickenham on Saturday but I don't think there were any 701s on the Reading line at all.

 

[w11_supremecy]

Reported elsewhere as being allocated 701038 for the drag

Can confirm it is 701038, have just passed it now as it was being dragged into Wimbledon Park.

 

[Socanxdis]

will they get the new livery any time soon?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

will they get the new livery any time soon?

It's reported on several news sites that the livery roll out will commence in Spring 2026.

 

[Invincible]

It's reported on several news sites that the livery roll out will commence in Spring 2026.

The logos might be updated sooner (like when SWT became SWR?)

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The logos might be updated sooner (like when SWT became SWR?)

Naturally. That’s not what was asked though.

 

[Goldfish62]

The logos might be updated sooner (like when SWT became SWR?)

Except SWT logos remained for some time after SWR came into being!

 

[SeaKing]

Looks like 701033 if the reports are true will be out for a short while due to an unfortunate incident today.

What was the incident.

 

[Goldfish62]

What was the incident.

There was a person hit by a train yesterday. I assume this is what this refers to.