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

P

Peter Sarf

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Covshire1 said:
The activation is the dreaded exact 3 hours before departure so it doesn't look good. Hopefully I'm wrong and it does run..
Click to expand...
The optimist in me reminds us that auto activation is not bad as such. But a manual activation is more positive.
(EDIT 15:20 - I have eventually realised you must have been referring to the preceding light loco from Leicester :oops:)

Yes, there are six 701/5s at Long Marston (701509, 701512, 701517, 701519, 701520 & 701522). It is bound to be one of them one day but how soon.

Currently the drag has not left Long Marston so 25m late BUT I have seen them before magically appear at Honeybourne North Junction or thereabouts.
Most concerning is that it is 57303 rather than the usual (and my favourite) old smokey (47727), perhaps there is a new challenge awaiting a non-47 coupling up o_O.

Realtime Trains | 5Q70 1435 Long Marston Gbrf to Worcester Yard | 07/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q70 1435 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Worcester Yard on 07/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk

EDIT 15:20 - still no movement, 45m late, cancellation looms.
 
Last edited:
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Bigfoot

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SeaKing

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Peter Sarf said:
The optimist in me reminds us that auto activation is not bad as such. But a manual activation is more positive.
(EDIT 15:20 - I have eventually realised you must have been referring to the preceding light loco from Leicester :oops:)

Yes, there are six 701/5s at Long Marston (701509, 701512, 701517, 701519, 701520 & 701522). It is bound to be one of them one day but how soon.

Currently the drag has not left Long Marston so 25m late BUT I have seen them before magically appear at Honeybourne North Junction or thereabouts.
Most concerning is that it is 57303 rather than the usual (and my favourite) old smokey (47727), perhaps there is a new challenge awaiting a non-47 coupling up o_O.

Realtime Trains | 5Q70 1435 Long Marston Gbrf to Worcester Yard | 07/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q70 1435 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Worcester Yard on 07/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk

EDIT 15:20 - still no movement, 45m late, cancellation looms.
Click to expand...
According to RTT left 15.50 75 late.
 
W

WWTownEnth

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WWTownEnth said:
701001 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701002 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701003 - Derby Litchurch Lane - Awaiting Redelivery To SWR
701004 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701005 - In Passenger Service (27 Aug 25)
701006 - Stored at Long Marston
701007 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701008 - Stored at Long Marston
701009 - In Passenger Service (17 Oct 25)
701010 - In Passenger Service (22 Dec 25)
701011 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701012 - In Passenger Service (21 Jul 25)
701013 - In Passenger Service (28 Jul 25)
701014 - Stored at Eastleigh
701015 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701016 - Stored at Eastleigh
701017 - In Passenger Service
701018 - In Passenger Service (6 Jul 25)
701019 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701020 - In Passenger Service (8 Oct 25)
701021 - In Passenger Service (15 Sep 25)
701022 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701023 - Stored at Long Marston
701024 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701025 - In Passenger Service
701026 - In Passenger Service (3 Nov 26)
701027 - Stored at Eastleigh
701028 - See note below
701029 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701030 - In Passenger Service (9 Dec 25)
701031 - In Passenger Service
701032 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701033 - In Passenger Service (26 Nov 25)
701034 - In Passenger Service
701035 - In Passenger Service (28 May 25)
701036 - In Passenger Service (7 Mar 25)
701037 - In Passenger Service
701038 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701039 - In Passenger Service
701040 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701041 - In Passenger Service (17 Jun 25)
701042 - In Passenger Service (21 May 25)
701043 - In Passenger Service
701044 - In Passenger Service (5 Feb 25)
701045 - Stored at Long Marston
701046 - In Passenger Service (17 Mar 25)
701047 - In Passenger Service
701048 - In Passenger Service (8 Nov 25j
701049 - Stored at Long Marston
701050 - In Passenger Service (17 Nov 25)
701051 - In Passenger Service (14 Jul 25)
701052 - In Passenger Service (23 Dec 25)
701053 - In Passenger Service (26 Aug 25)
701054 - In Passenger Service (3 Jan 26)
701055 - Stored at Eastleigh
701056 - In Passenger Service (8 Sep 25)
701057 - In Passenger Service (13 Aug 25)
701058 - In Passenger Service (11 Aug 25)
701059 - In Passenger Service (5 Dec 25)
701060 - In Passenger Service (1 Nov 25)

In Passenger Service: 36/60
SWR preparing for passenger service: 14/60 (Including 028 which briefly served passengers and is now on testing duties)
Stored at Long Marston: 6/60
Stored at Eastleigh: 4/60
Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane: 1/60



701501 - Stored at Old Dalby
701502 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701503 - Stored at Wimbledon/Clapham Yard
701504 - Stored at Wimbledon/Clapham Yard
701505 - Stored at Bicester
701506 - Stored at Bicester
701507 - Stored at Bicester
701508 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701509 - Stored at Long Marston
701510 - Stored at Wimbledon/Clapham Yard
701511 - Stored at Bicester
701512 - Stored at Long Marston
701513 - Stored at Bicester
701514 - Stored at Bicester
701515 - Stored at Bicester
701516 - Stored at Bicester
701517 - Stored at Long Marston
701518 - Stored at Bicester
701519 - Stored at Long Marston
701520 - Stored at Long Marston
701521 - Stored at Bicester
701522 - Stored at Long Marston
701523 - Stored at Bicester
701524 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701525 - Stored at Bicester
701526 - Stored at Bicester
701527 - Stored at Bicester
701528 - Stored at Wimbledon/Clapham Yard
701529 - Stored at Wimbledon/Clapham Yard
701530 - Stored at Bicester

In Passenger Service: 0/30
SWR preparing for passenger service: 0/30
Stored at Long Marston: 6/30
Stored at Old Dalby: 1/30
Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane: 3/30
Stored at Wimbledon/Clapham Yard: 5/30
Stored at Bicester 15/30
Click to expand...
I’ve updated this as much as I can. If anyone’s got any additional or better info then please let me know and I will gladly amend.
 
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markle

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Interesting experience observing 017 from the platform at Clapham Junction this evening, serving 1D49.

Train was crush loaded due to network delays.

One set of doors would not close all the way, due to passenger obstruction. Several attempts followed, including passengers getting off to ensure there was no obstruction - door kept getting stuck at the same point when closing.

Platform staff ended up pushing the door shut, and the train departed. Looking at RTT and subsequent dwell times it doesn't appear that the issue recurred.

Seems slightly eccentric behaviour that the doors would continue to stick after any potential obstruction was removed. Any obvious reason why this was happening?
 
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wickham

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5Q70 (701007) shown on RTT as terminated Worcester due to brake problem !
701007 has "flitted about" all over the place and attended many locations for attention - perhaps it is not fully sorted out ??
Derby to Eastleigh (delivery) 14.08.20, Eastleigh to Widnes 13.05.21, Widnes to Eastleigh 06.07.21, Eastleigh to Worksop 06.06.22, One car seen on M1 going "somewhere" 06.03.24, then unit turned up at Derby for Derby to Eastleigh 14.11.24, Eastleigh to Long Marston 22.05.25 and now Long Marston to Worcester 07.01.26 (and kaput !).
 
NSEWonderer

NSEWonderer

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markle said:
Interesting experience observing 017 from the platform at Clapham Junction this evening, serving 1D49.

Train was crush loaded due to network delays.

One set of doors would not close all the way, due to passenger obstruction. Several attempts followed, including passengers getting off to ensure there was no obstruction - door kept getting stuck at the same point when closing.

Platform staff ended up pushing the door shut, and the train departed. Looking at RTT and subsequent dwell times it doesn't appear that the issue recurred.

Seems slightly eccentric behaviour that the doors would continue to stick after any potential obstruction was removed. Any obvious reason why this was happening?
Click to expand...
Could be something trapped in the doorwell or the spurious door issues caused by AC especially if its working overtime to modulate temperature with a dozen onboard.
 
P

Peter Sarf

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Bigfoot said:
Running 75 late.
Click to expand...
Ended up at 130 minutes late at Worcester Yard (EDIT - where it got cancelled) so lost a further 55 minutes while on the move after departure.

If I remember correctly a few deliveries from Marchwood have been delayed a day or two because of brake problems but I think once they departed the 701 submitted to the locos will and followed the loco dutifully and unremarkably. Perhaps we are now getting too close to the "bottom of the barrel".

Of course we do not know if the 57 was the culprit as I think it has mainly been 47727 doing the drag in the past from Long Marston.

I wonder how many 701/5s are less unready ?.

Realtime Trains | 5Q70 1435 Long Marston Gbrf to Worcester Yard | 07/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q70 1435 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Worcester Yard on 07/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk
 
Last edited:
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Stephen42

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wickham said:
5Q70 (701007) shown on RTT as terminated Worcester due to brake problem !
701007 has "flitted about" all over the place and attended many locations for attention - perhaps it is not fully sorted out ??
Derby to Eastleigh (delivery) 14.08.20, Eastleigh to Widnes 13.05.21, Widnes to Eastleigh 06.07.21, Eastleigh to Worksop 06.06.22, One car seen on M1 going "somewhere" 06.03.24, then unit turned up at Derby for Derby to Eastleigh 14.11.24, Eastleigh to Long Marston 22.05.25 and now Long Marston to Worcester 07.01.26 (and kaput !).
Click to expand...
Most units have had fairly extensive travels and it wouldn't have been at Long Marston if they thought it had a serious issue. The loco was scheduled to run around in that yard, it could be as simple as from the other end they couldn't get the brakes off. For the pathed speed it needs both the loco and unit brakes to be operational. Several moves have been cancelled after the loco got there so while uncommon it's not unusual.

Separately, a schedule change yesterday altered an existing GBRF path to go to Wimbledon Park Depot on Friday which might be another 701 delivery this time from Derby

Realtime Trains | 5Q68 1344 Derby Litchurch Lane to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 09/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q68 1344 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 09/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk
 
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Peter Sarf

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Stephen42 said:
Most units have had fairly extensive travels and it wouldn't have been at Long Marston if they thought it had a serious issue. The loco was scheduled to run around in that yard, it could be as simple as from the other end they couldn't get the brakes off. For the pathed speed it needs both the loco and unit brakes to be operational. Several moves have been cancelled after the loco got there so while uncommon it's not unusual.

Separately, a schedule change yesterday altered an existing GBRF path to go to Wimbledon Park Depot on Friday which might be another 701 delivery this time from Derby

Realtime Trains | 5Q68 1344 Derby Litchurch Lane to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 09/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q68 1344 departure from Derby Litchurch Lane to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 09/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Click to expand...
In that case (400t) has to be 701003 unless a 701/5.
 
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Stephen42

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701007 has presumably been convinced to behave. Path in this afternoon with same timings as yesterday from Worcester Yard onwards to Wimbledon

Realtime Trains | 5Q70 1602 Worcester Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 08/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q70 1602 departure from Worcester Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 08/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk
 
nctd2306

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Flange Squeal

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WWTownEnth said:
I’ve updated this as much as I can. If anyone’s got any additional or better info then please let me know and I will gladly amend.
Click to expand...
If you want specific on-SWR locations then 004, 029 and 040 are in the back roads at Farnham as of today.
 
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Peter Sarf

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Nogoohwell

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Mikey C said:
Shouldn't they then adjust the light fittings to compensate for that?
Click to expand...
Now that would be sensible but don’t let common sense get in the way of train design.
The doors for example are still an issue. Was at Waterloo in Wednesday on 455 to be told that we are delayed by the doors in a new train ahead of us. This does appear to be the common problem on the 701’s.
 
brooklynbound

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I was on a 4SUB once delayed by problems with the doors on one of the brand new sliding door trains just in front of us. Nothing changes.
 
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Goldfish62

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Nogoohwell said:
Now that would be sensible but don’t let common sense get in the way of train design.
The doors for example are still an issue. Was at Waterloo in Wednesday on 455 to be told that we are delayed by the doors in a new train ahead of us. This does appear to be the common problem on the 701’s.
Click to expand...
The doors were a problem for years after the 345s were introduced.
 
NSEWonderer

NSEWonderer

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Mikey C said:
Shouldn't they then adjust the light fittings to compensate for that?
Click to expand...
Probably but if it meets a standard and saves them the extra hassle or wiring then they won't. Might be wrong but I believe it's pretty much common place on all the Aventras, pretty useful for traction knowledge however :lol:
 
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