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

[The_Train]

Can't see that this was noted but 701022 moved from Marchwood to Wimbledon on 23/12/25. I have seen a few suggestions that this is the final 701 out of Marchwood but my records have 701004 as being there - does anyone know the whereabouts of 004 please?

 

[SeaKing]

Can't see that this was noted but 701022 moved from Marchwood to Wimbledon on 23/12/25. I have seen a few suggestions that this is the final 701 out of Marchwood but my records have 701004 as being there - does anyone know the whereabouts of 004 please?

Left Marchwood in May for Eastleigh not sure of current location.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Can't see that this was noted but 701022 moved from Marchwood to Wimbledon on 23/12/25. I have seen a few suggestions that this is the final 701 out of Marchwood but my records have 701004 as being there - does anyone know the whereabouts of 004 please?

701004 was tracked about 4 months running ecs from Eastleigh to Wimbledon. Its on SWR land.

 

[Deepgreen]

Apologies if this has been covered, but on my first journey aboard a 701 a few days back, I noticed that, despite there being ample room, station names are abbreviated. Why, especially when they are shown in full when scrolling??

 

[swr444]

Apologies if this has been covered, but on my first journey aboard a 701 a few days back, I noticed that, despite there being ample room, station names are abbreviated. Why, especially when they are shown in full when scrolling??
View attachment 194859View attachment 194860

Pure laziness and budget programming

 

[Deepgreen]

Pure laziness and budget programming

My thinking too. I know most will not be confused, but foreign visitors may be, and there is no reason not to display in full. Just annoyingly 'cheap'.

 

[GeoffS]

701004 was tracked about 4 months running ecs from Eastleigh to Wimbledon. Its on SWR land.

Possibly at Farnham??

 

[JCO1406]

When are we expecting more diagrams to be added?

 

[vuzzeho]

Apologies if this has been covered, but on my first journey aboard a 701 a few days back, I noticed that, despite there being ample room, station names are abbreviated. Why, especially when they are shown in full when scrolling??
View attachment 194859View attachment 194860

Probably just the way it's programmed into the system. It would likely be simple to change. Apparently there's an update coming to the PIS (passenger information system) screens, so this may be fixed.

 

[Snow1964]

When are we expecting more diagrams to be added?

With 455s gone (although could still slip out as a substitution) it is very tight at moment and almost all passed for service will be needed from Monday 5th January when full timetable resumes after Christmas and engineering work.

Will probably want at least 3 more 701s in service before there is comfortable margin, to start converting next diagrams. I think next to go are probably the 458/5s (probably around end Jan, early Feb) with 701s taking over.

Realistically with about 3-4 units entering service each month going to be slow build up of 701s passed for service, only then will existing 458 and 450 diagrams convert.

 

[mansonlo49]

With 455s gone (although could still slip out as a substitution) it is very tight at moment and almost all passed for service will be needed from Monday 5th January when full timetable resumes after Christmas and engineering work.

Will probably want at least 3 more 701s in service before there is comfortable margin, to start converting next diagrams. I think next to go are probably the 458/5s (probably around end Jan, early Feb) with 701s taking over.

Realistically with about 3-4 units entering service each month going to be slow build up of 701s passed for service, only then will existing 458 and 450 diagrams convert.

I remember seeing earlier posts or another thread, saying that with a full service timetable will need the five cars 701/5 at some point, is it true?

 

[Snow1964]

I remember seeing earlier posts or another thread, saying that with a full service timetable will need the five cars 701/5 at some point, is it true?

Yes and no.

From memory the normal service doesn't need them. But during disruption or engineering works, some reversing points and shuttles cannot accommodate 10car trains, so need shorter formations.

It is not a problem whilst 458s and some 450s are covering some suburban services.

 

[markle]

Apologies if this has been covered, but on my first journey aboard a 701 a few days back, I noticed that, despite there being ample room, station names are abbreviated. Why, especially when they are shown in full when scrolling??
View attachment 194859View attachment 194860

I think this may be a recent thing. I saw London Wloo as the destination on the front of a 701 recently, when previously London Waterloo has been displayed in full.

There's been some completely unnecessary abbreviations appearing recently too, like "Raynes Pk"

 

[OneTrackMinded]

I think this may be a recent thing. I saw London Wloo as the destination on the front of a 701 recently, when previously London Waterloo has been displayed in full.

There's been some completely unnecessary abbreviations appearing recently too, like "Raynes Pk"

Yes this is a new software update that released recently. Also includes Elinor being used for some announcements. Another strange update from Alstom Derby/India.

 

[talldave]

Yes this is a new software update that released recently. Also includes Elinor being used for some announcements. Another strange update from Alstom Derby/India.

So a software update that's making things worse? Who's responsible for signing these things off?

 

[Feathers44]

In my (relatively brief) experience of the rail industry? Probably no-one. A fact that daily amazes me and in stark contrast to my 30+ years in a defence and avionics environment.

 

[43096]

Yes this is a new software update that released recently. Also includes Elinor being used for some announcements. Another strange update from Alstom Derby/India.

So why does SWR sign it off as acceptable then?

 

[800001]

Can't see that this was noted but 701022 moved from Marchwood to Wimbledon on 23/12/25. I have seen a few suggestions that this is the final 701 out of Marchwood but my records have 701004 as being there - does anyone know the whereabouts of 004 please?

701022 was the last one to leave Marchwood.

 

[GeoffS]

701022 was the last one to leave Marchwood.

701022 was the last one to leave Marchwood.

701004 possibly at Farnham

 

[Invincible]

In other news, SWR have put out a press release with a little new information. Since May 2025 the morning peak has had 12% increase in surburban capacity through the increased 701 rollout. It does put a more easily tracked figure on the target released earlier this month "SWR plans to reach 50 Arterio diagrams in service by the end of Summer 2026 as set out by the Department for Transport on Tuesday 9 December".

From

South Western Railway boosts commuter capacity as 30th Arterio train enters service - Rail UK

South Western Railway boosts commuter capacity as 30th Arterio train enters service - Train Operating Companies

railuk.com

" it is aiming to have three quarters of its planned Arterio schedules introduced by the end of Summer 2026"
Which if comes true and refers to units, could be 68 701s? So 8 701/5 units, either as 10 or 5 car trains?
(Perhaps used at lines via Ash vale, operational spares, rescue or training units?), think 2 701/5s are already training units?
Unless I am misunderstanding this?

 

[Snow1964]

Then what of all the remaining 701/0s? Couldn't they be introduced ahead of the 701/5s if they're ready before then? I imagine crew training will be finished by Spring.

I suspect there will be an overlap. I suspect some 701/5s will be made available for training from about March.

I think it was said a module of the training was deferred, basically the coupling and uncoupling in service (not that it happens much these days). Although possibly it could be done in a spare 12car platform off peak at Waterloo (as only need to move them a few metres) to split and rejoin.

SWR is still operating a thinned out timetable (and lot less than the timetable with thousands of extra seats that was announced in March 2017 as part of franchise announcement).

My gut feeling is it could be start of 2027 before the last 701 is passed for service (around 2200 days after last one was originally scheduled to be in service by early 2000). Yes I know we had covid and lockdown, but even allocating a generous 500 days to covid doesn't explain where the other 1700 days went.

 

[Tirov]

How is the Driver Training going with the Guildford based gang please?

 

[Invincible]

From the list at post 1
"701528 at Clapham Yard
701529 at Clapham Yard"
Aren't they being used for some training, coupling and uncoupling?

 

[w11_supremecy]

From the list at post 1
"701528 at Clapham Yard
701529 at Clapham Yard"
Aren't they being used for some training, coupling and uncoupling?

They are indeed.

 

[Meglos]

" it is aiming to have three quarters of its planned Arterio schedules introduced by the end of Summer 2026"
Which if comes true and refers to units, could be 68 701s? So 8 701/5 units, either as 10 or 5 car trains?
(Perhaps used at lines via Ash vale, operational spares, rescue or training units?), think 2 701/5s are already training units?
Unless I am misunderstanding this?

This surely refers to services operated, rather than units in service.

The Arterio planned roll out was to replace the 455's, 450's and 458's on the following terminator services - Reading, Windsor, Shepperton, Weybridge (via Staines), Hampton Court, Chessington South, Dorking and Guildford, plus the Hounslow and Kingston rounders.

As they are running a thinned out timetable from 2017 when they were ordered, they don't need to 701/5's to operate any of these services. Assuming a 90-95% availablility the 54-57 701/0's in service each day will be able to manage the services on their own. Any short formed services will be able to be covered by the displaced 450/458's.

The December 2026 timetable change will be when the 701/5's will start to be needed. As this will likely re-introduce one more Guildford via Epsom per hour, one more Dorking per hour and two more Hounslow rounders per hour. There is unlikely to be enough free paths - between Raynes Park and Waterloo - to add an extra two Chessington's and two extra Hampton Court services per hour.

 

[The_Train]

Left Marchwood in May for Eastleigh not sure of current location.

701004 was tracked about 4 months running ecs from Eastleigh to Wimbledon. Its on SWR land.

Thank you both

 

[TEW]

There's 2 more LTP 701 diagrams that are 8-450 next week so could well be the next to go over.

1S08 0527 Woking to London Waterloo
2R09 0715 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Brentford
2S19 0852 London Waterloo to Weybridge
2S28 1033 Weybridge to London Waterloo
2S33 1222 London Waterloo to Weybridge
2S42 1403 Weybridge to London Waterloo
2C47 1550 London Waterloo to Reading
2C58 1739 Reading to London Waterloo
5Y29 1928 London Waterloo to Clapham Yard
5S77 2251 Clapham Yard to London Waterloo
1S77 2322 London Waterloo to Woking
5S77 0051 Woking to Woking Up Sidings

5F82 0533 Woking Up Sidings to Woking
2F82 0543 Woking to London Waterloo
2K05 0627 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O13 0800 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K17 0927 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O25 1100 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K29 1227 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O37 1400 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K41 1527 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O49 1700 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K53 1827 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O61 2000 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon
2K65 2127 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Wimbledon and Richmond
2O73 2300 London Waterloo to London Waterloo via Richmond and Wimbledon


2F74 2233 Woking to London Waterloo is booked to form 2F77 0009 London Waterloo to Woking in the LTP to balance those 2 diagrams.

These 2 diagrams do indeed go over to 701 next week taking us to 34 701 diagrams.

 

[Andy1673]

These 2 diagrams do indeed go over to 701 next week taking us to 34 701 diagrams.

And likely two pairs of 450s will go to serve two ex-455s diagrams (starting as 5G10 0ff Guildford Up CHS and 5G05 off Waterloo CHS)

 

[bb21]

047 is now ready for service I understand.

 

[Stephen42]

047 is now ready for service I understand.

And has already been allocated for the 12:45 2D36 Guildford to Waterloo to take over from 701043 that's had a train fault.