mansonlo49
Member
One per week would still be good though, seems SWR want to get all of the 701/0 out storage ASAP
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway: progress updates
- Thread starter WWTownEnth
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
WWTownEnth
Member
- Joined
- 21 Mar 2014
- Messages
- 737
SWR currently has 15 units at various stages of preparation for passenger service. Does anyone know which ofnthose are likely to come into passenger service and when?
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Someone a few days ago on this thread ( I think ) suggested 701 038 might be close.
701038 is currently on this service - 5Q21 1142 London Waterloo to London Waterloo
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L78009/2026-01-15/detailed#allox_id=0
Kite159
Veteran Member
I wonder when 028 will be deemed ready for it's return to passenger service
Peter Sarf
Established Member
I have not worked out whether this is relevent to 701s, 455s or 458s.
5O87 09:38 Derby RTC to Wimbledon, already on its way (today Thursday 15/01/2026).
Empty Non-Passenger Stock.
So neither ECS drag (701) or light loco (455/458 collection).
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Just n case someone would rather see it than miss it.
Or can anyone add any info ?.
(I will ask on Urgent TOPS request).
EDIT 14:10
Answer from @47286Dan on Urgent TOPS request
37501 GROG DERBY RTC 575O871F15 V * WIMBPDTSD N
37512 GROG DERBY RTC 575O871F15 V * WIMBPDTSD N
37884 GROG DERBY RTC 575O871F15 V * WIMBPDTSD N
With barrier wagons
6344 6393
So three 37s !.
EDIT 19:25
Most likely seems to be :-
37884 for moving 455s to (Derby ?) on Monday 19/01/2025.
The rest for 458529 to Long Marston on Friday 16/01/2025.
Todays drag from Long Marston (for a 701) now cancelled.
5O87 09:38 Derby RTC to Wimbledon, already on its way (today Thursday 15/01/2026).
Empty Non-Passenger Stock.
So neither ECS drag (701) or light loco (455/458 collection).
Realtime Trains | 5O87 0938½ Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 15/01/2026
Real-time train running information for 5O87 0938½ departure from Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 15/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Just n case someone would rather see it than miss it.
Or can anyone add any info ?.
(I will ask on Urgent TOPS request).
EDIT 14:10
Answer from @47286Dan on Urgent TOPS request
37501 GROG DERBY RTC 575O871F15 V * WIMBPDTSD N
37512 GROG DERBY RTC 575O871F15 V * WIMBPDTSD N
37884 GROG DERBY RTC 575O871F15 V * WIMBPDTSD N
With barrier wagons
6344 6393
So three 37s !.
EDIT 19:25
Most likely seems to be :-
37884 for moving 455s to (Derby ?) on Monday 19/01/2025.
The rest for 458529 to Long Marston on Friday 16/01/2025.
Todays drag from Long Marston (for a 701) now cancelled.
Last edited:
701028 was on this working earlier 5Q03 1115 London Waterloo to London Waterloo, but it only got as far as Queenstown Road
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L77991/2026-01-15/detailed#allox_id=0
Kite159
Veteran Member
Which wasn't a passenger working
CR165022
Established Member
It went into the sidings at Clapham, it switched from 5Q03 to 5Q04 after Q Road.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
I saw 701028 resting alongside the platform 6 line at Clapham Junction last night. It would have been there from before 1935 to after 20:50. It might have been on the next but one siding or right next to. I think it is one of the sidings outside the fence for Clapham Yard. It had the banners blocking access just inside the doors - so obviously still testing/training. It was a long way towards London overlapping roughly half of platform 6.
This is a loco hauled pair of barrier vehicles (Class 5 is empty stock, Class 0 is a light engine) for the 458 move tomorrow (16/01) WPS to Long Marston.I have not worked out whether this is relevent to 701s, 455s or 458s.
5O87 09:38 Derby RTC to Wimbledon, already on its way (today Thursday 15/01/2026).
Empty Non-Passenger Stock.
So neither ECS drag (701) or light loco (455/458 collection).
Realtime Trains | 5O87 0938½ Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 15/01/2026
Real-time train running information for 5O87 0938½ departure from Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 15/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
Just n case someone would rather see it than miss it.
Or can anyone add any info ?.
(I will ask on Urgent TOPS request).
Answer from @47286Dan on Urgent TOPS request
37501 GROG DERBY RTC 575O871F15 V * WIMBPDTSD N
37512 GROG DERBY RTC 575O871F15 V * WIMBPDTSD N
37884 GROG DERBY RTC 575O871F15 V * WIMBPDTSD N
With barrier wagons
6344 6393
So three 37s !.
I would say that all 15 are likely to come into passenger service - but then again, perhaps that's not terribly helpful, sorry.
Is it not Alstom, there has been lots of talk here that SWR pays only for trains accepted to service? Just side note, those who know comment right.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
The 701s have almost all got charges against them. As in being paid for by SWR ?. Way up thread it is discussed, along with the potential/alleged causes of delays (so go and have a good read !). So I presume they are SWRs responsibility. We are now at the stage of steady introduction into actual use.
NSEWonderer
Established Member
Yep, 701042 Which is in the platform at Clapham is being rescued. Apparently has lost its shoegear around queenstown road and couldn't take power leaving Clapham.
43096
On Moderation
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2015
- Messages
- 18,835
Losing shoegear does tend to prevent power being taken!
Something residual from all the re-railing work over Xmas perhaps?
NSEWonderer
Established Member
Nope. There was a late running engineering possession today and its believed to have occurred from there.
I still believe the train is still occupying, Clapham platform 5.
Not all of those are necessarily being prepared for passenger service, some might be allocated to training and testing. The route to passenger service typically is: received and worked on at Wimbledon, sent to Clapham (sometimes via Farnham), runs on the 5Q paths around the Hounslow loop, back to Wimbledon and then entry into service. Some units may go to Wimbledon for attention during testing or final testing runs from Wimbledon before a unit enters service.
The most recent units on the 5Q Hounslow loop paths have been 011 and 038 of the recent deliveries which seem the most likely. 002 and 028 have also done them recently, but have been doing them on and off for months now. SWR are short of units to reliably run all 701 diagrams including swapping failures with another 701. Any passed for passenger service would be used soon after they are ready.
At most three aren't accepted by SWR. That number is from 12 months ago and could be fewer now. SWR pays the lease fees for those units and would be responsible for storing ones they don't have space for (ones at Derby might be under different arrangements).
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Looking at RTT 701042 was on 2O03 the 05:30 Waterloo to Waterloo anti-clockwise via Richmond, Strawberry Hill and Kingston. But is got cancelled at 05:48 (having arrived 8 late) in platform 5 at Clapham Junction after loosing time at Queenstown Road Battersea. As mentioned above 3rd rail pickup shoes knocked off by obstruction(s) too close following engineering work over night.
Realtime Trains | 2O03 0530 London Waterloo to Clapham Junction | 16/01/2026
Real-time train running information for 2O03 0530 departure from London Waterloo to Clapham Junction on 16/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
At 15:40 I observed 701042 was still occupying platform 5 and 701028 was moving away from it towards Waterloo (a failed rescue attempt). At 19:00 RTT still shows nothing using platform 5. So i assume the problem unit is still not budging more than 13 hours later.
Loosing 3rd rail pickup shoes was not rare for 700s when they first ventured to Cambridge. But i do not recall it taking over twelve hours to clear the line because the pantograph would have been the important bit until trying to get South of Farringdon later !. How long did it take to organise a drag of the DC incapable 700 back to Three Bridges or were they re-shod North of the river ?.
NSEWonderer
Established Member
I dont think the issue was a failed drag but more so the logistics of doing it during service without causing massive disruption aswell as making it practicle. 701042 managed to get into platform 5 and detrain so I assume they simply decided that it would be best to leave the train there till end of service and then move it with another 701 or possibly a loco, into probabaly wimbledon now rather than Clapham.Looking at RTT 701042 was on 2O03 the 05:30 Waterloo to Waterloo anti-clockwise via Richmond, Strawberry Hill and Kingston. But is got cancelled at 05:48 (having arrived 8 late) in platform 5 at Clapham Junction after loosing time at Queenstown Road Battersea. As mentioned above 3rd rail pickup shoes knocked off by obstruction(s) too close following engineering work over night.
Realtime Trains | 2O03 0530 London Waterloo to Clapham Junction | 16/01/2026
Real-time train running information for 2O03 0530 departure from London Waterloo to Clapham Junction on 16/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
At 15:40 I observed 701042 was still occupying platform 5 and 701028 was moving away from it towards Waterloo (a failed rescue attempt). At 19:00 RTT still shows nothing using platform 5. So i assume the problem unit is still not budging more than 13 hours later.
Loosing 3rd rail pickup shoes was not rare for 700s when they first ventured to Cambridge. But i do not recall it taking over twelve hours to clear the line because the pantograph would have been the important bit until trying to get South of Farringdon later !. How long did it take to organise a drag of the DC incapable 700 back to Three Bridges or were they re-shod North of the river ?.
It will occupy Platform 5 at clapham till the end of service.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
701028 was sent to rescue 701042 apparently. I saw 701028 reversing towards London from about ten feet away from 701042 so I suspect an attempt was made to couple. Someone else there was saying five attempts had been made. I was passing through at about 15:40 (changing from a train from Croydon onto a train to Wimbledon, I had gone up to the London end of platform 11/12 while I waited and was a bit surprised to see 701042 still there.
I guess no (further) attempt would be made as the evening rush approached.
It does then make sense to leave it until the railway is quiet. A possession - power off and no movements on adjacent lines. Could then try fitting replacement third rail shoes if it still refuses to budge and/or a loco from Leicester would have time to arrive.
Last edited:
Been tracking it on OTT for the past hour...
Left CLJ at ~0255 going towards Waterloo (p5 --> UWF)
Reversed in Nine Elms Jn / QRB ~0318 departure (p2 --> DMF)
Arrived WIM just now at ~0415 on p7, presumably it's going to shunt past 193 then reverse and proceed into Wimbledon Depot.
Left CLJ at ~0255 going towards Waterloo (p5 --> UWF)
Reversed in Nine Elms Jn / QRB ~0318 departure (p2 --> DMF)
Arrived WIM just now at ~0415 on p7, presumably it's going to shunt past 193 then reverse and proceed into Wimbledon Depot.
Attachments
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Thanks for that.
Does anyone know what else was involved ?.
(unit itself repaired, another 701 or a locomotive).
Plan was another 701.
NSEWonderer
Established Member
I believe it was another 701 being 028 again but I'm yet confirm. Was all but invisible on the trackers online. SI Productions on youtube has a very good video on the 701 events yesterday
1057 was the unit used on the second rescue attempt.