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

[Peter Sarf]

1057 was the unit used on the second rescue attempt.

I am intrigued. Was it a simple drag/shove to Wimbledon in the end just with a different 701 ?.

 

[joystick]

That must have been coupled by someone who doesn't drive them often

 

[Snow1964]

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?

Before Christmas were getting a unit into service about every 6-9 days. But I think there was a bit of a push to get enough to withdraw the last 455 diagrams.

I am guessing not much then happened for 2-3 weeks over Christmas and New Year period. But would expect another new one into service early this week assuming the 3-4 per month resumed second week January.

As others have said, really need another 2 or 3 to provide more backup. Once that has happened (early - mid February) would expect next couple would replace remaining 458/5. By mid Feb would be expecting the remaining 455s held as substitutes to resume being hauled away for scrap, as no longer needed as substitutes, with 455s all gone by mid - late March.

My guess is about 42 units in service by end of February, then 3 or 4 per month.

 

[43096]

That must have been coupled by someone who doesn't drive them often

Interesting that someone can couple them at all, given that “extra training” is needed for the five car sets.

 

[NSEWonderer]

1057 was the unit used on the second rescue attempt.

Cheers

 

[mansonlo49]

701007 moved from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Farnham C.S.D. today as 5Q93，presumably to enter traffic？

Realtime Trains | 5Q93 2052 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Farnham C.S.D. | 19/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q93 2052 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Farnham C.S.D. on 19/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

And the usual unit, 701028 moved from Clapham Yard Sidings to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs

Realtime Trains | 5Q53 1945 Clapham Yard Sidings to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 19/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q53 1945 departure from Clapham Yard Sidings to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 19/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Peter Sarf]

701007 moved from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Farnham C.S.D. today as 5Q93，presumably to enter traffic？

I think that means storage and there for an eternity.

Maybe testing. It is a bit early to enter traffic as it only arrived less than two weeks ago Thursday 07/01/2026 (after a delayed departure from Long Marston and then an overnight at Worcester).

I am rather lucky as I only got to see it today after its move from Wimbledon Park Depot to Wimbledon Park CSD (tucked right along side the shed away from the running lines btw).

 

[mansonlo49]

I think that means storage and there for an eternity.

Maybe testing. It is a bit early to enter traffic as it only arrived less than two weeks ago Thursday 07/01/2026 iirc.

I am rather lucky as I only got to see it today after its move from Wimbledon Park Depot to Wimbledon Park CSD (tucked right along side the shed away from the running lines btw).

thanks, just thought it’s for service, as 701s started Farnham services already

Besides, they have a steady pace to clear the units out of long Marston each week like they did with Bicester previously, seems that they want to get all the 701/0s back in SWR boundary now

 

[norbitonflyer]

Maybe testing. It is a bit early to enter traffic as it only arrived less than two weeks ago Thursday 07/01/2026 (after a delayed departure from Long Marston and then an overnight at Worcester).

There have only been two entered service since Christmas, and none since 2nd january, so it's about time there were a few more. 17 days is already the longest gap since October and is there are none this week it will be the longest since March.

What service is normally worked into Farnham in the evening by the unit that forms 1N92 in the morning?

 

[Peter Sarf]

There have only been two entered service since Christmas, and none since 2nd january, so it's about time there were a few more. 17 days is already the longest gap since October and is there are none this week it will be the longest since March.

What service is normally worked into Farnham in the evening by the unit that forms 1N92 in the morning?

There are 36 701s that have seen passenger service (excluding 028). There are now 51 701/0s on SWR (ignoring Easleigh) so 15 that are on test, driver training or perhaps route checking. Simplistically there are 13 of those that are candidates for service that arrived before 701007. But we all know things do not go in a strong order. I just think two weeks is too quick.

I suppose we might know by tomorrow morning.

 

[Siemens Staines]

What service is normally worked into Farnham in the evening by the unit that forms 1N92 in the morning?

2D51 1739 London Waterloo to Guildford
5F51 1859 Guildford to Farnham C.S.D.

701046 tonight

 

[Stephen42]

There have only been two entered service since Christmas, and none since 2nd january, so it's about time there were a few more. 17 days is already the longest gap since October and is there are none this week it will be the longest since March.

The Christmas period preventing testing paths running was likely to cause a gap at some point. The ones that have run this month haven't gone 100% smoothly from the timings on RTT. If trains were ready I can't imagine SWR would be opting to use the 455s instead of them. Hopefully another couple will enter service soon.

There are 36 701s that have seen passenger service (excluding 028). There are now 51 701/0s on SWR (ignoring Easleigh) so 15 that are on test, driver training or perhaps route checking. Simplistically there are 13 of those that are candidates for service that arrived before 701007. But we all know things do not go in a strong order. I just think two weeks is too quick.

I suppose we might know by tomorrow morning.

The 5Q9* headcodes have always been pre-passenger 701s being shuffled around. Several 701s have been temporarily kept at Farnham before they entered service usually going a week or two after arrival at Wimbledon. With none leaving into passenger service that limits space at the London end.

A 701 drag from Long Marston has appeared for Wednesday. Could be another week with multiple paths uploaded and only one running with the later ones yet to appear.

Realtime Trains | 5Q72 1342 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 21/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q72 1342 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 21/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[mansonlo49]

A 701 drag from Long Marston has appeared for Wednesday. Could be another week with multiple paths uploaded and only one running with the later ones yet to appear.

Realtime Trains | 5Q72 1342 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 21/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q72 1342 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 21/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

so you mean multiple paths shown on Wednesday and Thursday last week?

 

[wickham]

Clapham yard at 1100 today (20.01.25)
701528 & 701529 in their usual possition next to the cleaning shed (they must have been there for about two years now !!):
701504 & 701503 on 47 road - but did not appear to be coupled - red lights on cab of 701503 behind 701504:
701002 doing training on 49 Road - disapeared from view right down towards Wandsworth Town at one stage !
Elsewhere in yard: 701038 701024 701015 701053 701011 and 701001.
Plenty running in service of course !!

 

[Snow1964]

A 701 drag from Long Marston has appeared for Wednesday. Could be another week with multiple paths uploaded and only one running with the later ones yet to appear.

Realtime Trains | 5Q72 1342 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 21/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q72 1342 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 21/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

This is light engine move from Leicester to Long Marston tomorrow morning

Realtime Trains | 0V72 0752 Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf | 21/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 0V72 0752 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf on 21/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Can't see a path for a loco from Wimbledon, although there is a path for another loco (from Wembley) to Wimbledon on Thursday

Realtime Trains | 0O87 0643 Wembley Loco Sidings P,q,r to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 22/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 0O87 0643 departure from Wembley Loco Sidings P,q,r to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 22/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

There is then a path to Derby, but might be a 455 scrap move, not a 701 returning to Derby for work, and possibly both locos will move to Midlands together.

Realtime Trains | 5Q58 1001 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane | 22/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q58 1001 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane on 22/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Stephen42]

so you mean multiple paths shown on Wednesday and Thursday last week?

Was a possibility without the Thursday paths showing for the loco. They should be published by now if there was one on Thursday and isn't one so should be tomorrow.

This is light engine move from Leicester to Long Marston tomorrow morning

Realtime Trains | 0V72 0752 Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf | 21/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 0V72 0752 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf on 21/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Can't see a path for a loco from Wimbledon, although there is a path for another loco (from Wembley) to Wimbledon on Thursday

Realtime Trains | 0O87 0643 Wembley Loco Sidings P,q,r to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 22/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 0O87 0643 departure from Wembley Loco Sidings P,q,r to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 22/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

There is then a path to Derby, but might be a 455 scrap move, not a 701 returning to Derby for work, and possibly both locos will move to Midlands together.

Realtime Trains | 5Q58 1001 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane | 22/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q58 1001 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane on 22/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

The loco from the GBRF will return on this one on Thursday. Train service code 55460080 is GBRF who do the SWR 701s move. Anything that's 56661501 is ROG who do the 455 and 458 moves for SWR. The path to Derby will be a 455 move if it runs.

Realtime Trains | 0M84 1441 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Leicester L.I.P. | 22/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 0M84 1441 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Leicester L.I.P. on 22/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[HMTrains]

This is light engine move from Leicester to Long Marston tomorrow morning

Realtime Trains | 0V72 0752 Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf | 21/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 0V72 0752 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Long Marston Gbrf on 21/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Can't see a path for a loco from Wimbledon, although there is a path for another loco (from Wembley) to Wimbledon on Thursday

Realtime Trains | 0O87 0643 Wembley Loco Sidings P,q,r to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 22/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 0O87 0643 departure from Wembley Loco Sidings P,q,r to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 22/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

There is then a path to Derby, but might be a 455 scrap move, not a 701 returning to Derby for work, and possibly both locos will move to Midlands together.

Realtime Trains | 5Q58 1001 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane | 22/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q58 1001 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Derby Litchurch Lane on 22/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 0M84 1441 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Leicester L.I.P. | 22/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 0M84 1441 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Leicester L.I.P. on 22/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

This is the path for the loco back on thursday. I dont think the locos would ever work together as the 701 deliverys are operated by GBRF and the 455 scrap moves / 458/5 storage moves are operated by ROG

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

Was a possibility without the Thursday paths showing for the loco. They should be published by now if there was one on Thursday and isn't one so should be tomorrow.

The loco from the GBRF will return on this one on Thursday. Train service code 55460080 is GBRF who do the SWR 701s move. Anything that's 56661501 is ROG who do the 455 and 458 moves for SWR. The path to Derby will be a 455 move if it runs.

Realtime Trains | 0M84 1441 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Leicester L.I.P. | 22/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 0M84 1441 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Leicester L.I.P. on 22/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Just realised i wrote the exact same thing after you, my bad

 

[SeaKing]

57306 has left Leicester 0v72

 

[mansonlo49]

57306 has left Leicester 0v72

Should be collecting one of the units, 701008 701023 701045 701049

 

[Peter Sarf]

Clapham yard at 1100 today (20.01.25)
701528 & 701529 in their usual possition next to the cleaning shed (they must have been there for about two years now !!):
701504 & 701503 on 47 road - but did not appear to be coupled - red lights on cab of 701503 behind 701504:
701002 doing training on 49 Road - disapeared from view right down towards Wandsworth Town at one stage !
Elsewhere in yard: 701038 701024 701015 701053 701011 and 701001.
Plenty running in service of course !!

701504 has been moving around in the last week !.
My observations :-
Wednesday 14/01/2026 @19:33 701504 was at Clapham Junction Yard London end of what I presume was 701503.
Friday 16/01/2026 @15:27 701504 was around the back of Wimbledon Carriage sidings visible from the District line with 701503 on its own at Clapham Junction Yard (over near platform 6).
Monday 19/01/2026 @16:00 701504 was back in front of 701503.

701528 and 701529 do seem to move along their siding (nearest to platform 7) just a little bit. Apparently used for training on coupling and *I think* they have swapped places with each other over the last year.

Overall at Clapham Junction Yard I have ave observed :-
Wednesday 14/01/2026 @19:33 4 x 701/5 & 8 x 701/1s
Friday 16/01/2026 @15:27 3 x 701/5 & 5 x 701/1s.
Monday 19/01/2026 @16:00 4 x 701/5 & 7 x 701/1s.

Given the times of my observations I suppose some of those 701/1s work out of Clapham Junction Yard daytime but clearly the last two days does not prove much ?.
Maybe 701504 regularly strays from Clapham Junction yard during the middle of the day before return for the evening ?.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

701504 has been moving around in the last week !.


701528 and 701529 do seem to move along their siding (nearest to platform 7) just a little bit. Apparently used for training on coupling and *I think* they have swapped places with each other over the last year.

Yes, I have regularly seen alternately 701 503 + 504 and 701 528 + 529 in the siding next to platform 7, with the other pair in the shed. Not sure how frequently they switch round, though, as I don't go through Clapham Junction every time I'm out and about. Whichever pair is in the siding by platform 7 will be the one being constantly split and re-coupled through the day.

 

[mansonlo49]

Drag is now on the way

Realtime Trains | 5Q72 1342 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 21/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q72 1342 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 21/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Covshire1]

Drag is now on the way

Realtime Trains | 5Q72 1342 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 21/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q72 1342 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 21/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Reported to be 701008...

 

[mansonlo49]

Reported to be 701008...

They seem to clear all the small numbers first then do the big ones

 

[Snow1964]

They seem to clear all the small numbers first then do the big ones

Didn't the first 10 go back to Derby for modifications to cab, so were probably later arrivals. Some of the sidings are long (as in hold 2 10car units) so might need to extract those that arrived last before those behind.

 

[GEC465]

usually the lower number units come last. i do wonder aswell are the 701/5s actually going into service or no?

 

[NSEWonderer]

usually the lower number units come last. i do wonder aswell are the 701/5s actually going into service or no?

Won't matter till all the 701/0s are in service first

 

[Peter Sarf]

They seem to clear all the small numbers first then do the big ones

Not really. Until two weeks ago there were 6, 7, 8, 23, 45 & 49 at Long Marston. So Four lower numbered ones and only two higher numbered ones. Particularly half of them in the first ten.

I expect 701003 at Derby might be the last !.

But the 701s have varying histories. The first ten (or more ?) had to go back to Derby for enlarged redesigned desk in cabs. Once SWR realised their ideas were not going to be accepted by the people who have to work in the cab. Some other factors will be ones that were accepted first and then moved into store. Quite a few 701s seem to have been moved on and back off SWR - I am not 100% as I was not following the 701 introduction very closely until early 2025.

A general point about new fleets. They rarely get introduced in numerical order. Some get held back by faults. Early examples get sidelined for more detailed type testing so might not have seats etc in (usually the first one or two). Some fleets have a redesign after the first few are seen in the flesh and so get left behind if the manufacturer does not want to disrupt ongoing production.

EDIT 28/01/2026
It seems cab enlargement has become an urban myth - just drivers desk re-designed.

 

[Bikeman78]

701039 failed at Clapham Junction on the 1557 Waterloo to Waterloo via Kingston. Seen departing at 1634 back towards Waterloo.

 

[norbitonflyer]

701010 seems to be a bit of a rogue unit. Only eleven days in service since its first one a month ago. Three others have entered service more recentkly and racjked up twice as many days in service.