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

[Goldfish62]

Many thanks: it seems the Windsor side is now taking priority over the main line for new 701 diagrams. I wonder if a decision has been made to get the 458/4s out of service ASAP, given their reliability.

Although this one replaces a pair of 450s. It means that Reading services will be predominantly 701 from next week.

 

[Siemens Staines]

Although this one replaces a pair of 450s. It means that Reading services will be predominantly 701 from next week.

I guess it depends upon where those displaced 450s get used. They could be used to replace 458/4s or they could be used to strengthen main line 450 diagrams as indicated in the 450 and 444 cascades thread

SWR mainline strengthening: class 450 and 444 cascades following class 701 rollout

It would appear today that the first 450 diagram has been replaced by a 701 diagram. This thread is to comment on the 13 or so other 450 diagrams which will also be replaced in the coming months, and how the resulting 450s will result in the strengthening of 450 and 444 mainline services.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[norbitonflyer]

I remember a Class 455 carrying Legoland vinyls many years ago pre-refurbishment - 5856?

5856 Clapham Jct 30/1/06

South West Trains 5856 in Legoland Windsor livery departs Clapham Junction for Waterloo with a service from Woking on 30th January 2006

www.flickr.com

 

[Peter Sarf]

57303 now heading down to collect 701（？）on the 5Q45

Realtime Trains | 0O45 0611 Leicester L.I.P. to Eastleigh Trsmd | 18/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 0O45 0611 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Eastleigh Trsmd on 18/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

The plot thickens.

Delivery today 5Q45 Eastleigh to Wimbledon is consisted as 57306 (not 303).

Realtime Trains | 5Q45 1300 Eastleigh Trsmd to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 18/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q45 1300 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 18/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Mondays light loco 0Z86 from Leicester to Eastleigh does not show a loco but was presumably 57306.

Realtime Trains | 0Z86 1010 Leicester L.I.P. to Eastleigh Trsmd | 16/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 0Z86 1010 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Eastleigh Trsmd on 16/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

So is there another delivery coming later ?.
Or is the data sent to RTT wrong ?.

Oh, and the delivery for today has not left yet - so obviously needs a "grunt on the front".
Well left now - only 12 minutes late.

 

[Covshire1]

The plot thickens.

Delivery today 5Q45 Eastleigh to Wimbledon is consisted as 57306 (not 303).

Realtime Trains | 5Q45 1300 Eastleigh Trsmd to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 18/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q45 1300 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 18/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Mondays light loco 0Z86 from Leicester to Eastleigh does not show a loco but was presumably 57306.

Realtime Trains | 0Z86 1010 Leicester L.I.P. to Eastleigh Trsmd | 16/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 0Z86 1010 departure from Leicester L.I.P. to Eastleigh Trsmd on 16/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

So is there another delivery coming later ?.
Or is the data sent to RTT wrong ?.

Oh, and the delivery for today has not left yet - so obviously needs a "grunt on the front".
Well left now - only 12 minutes late.

701055 is the lucky unit today...

 

[Peter Sarf]

701055 is the lucky unit today...

Confirmed by my Mk1 eyeballs passing Wimbledon.

 

[brad465]

I don't get why an SWR unit has had the Legoland "decor" applied when rail links from SWR land to the park are not as much as from GWR stations, which seem to be more favourable for bus connections.

 

[Goldfish62]

I don't get why an SWR unit has had the Legoland "decor" applied when rail links from SWR land to the park are not as much as from GWR stations, which seem to be more favourable for bus connections.

Direct service from London Waterloo and a multitude of connections at Clapham Junction. The bus stop for Legoland (routes 702/703, four buses an hour) is directly opposite the exit of Riverside Station.

 

[adc82140]

Direct service from London Waterloo and a multitude of connections at Clapham Junction. The bus stop for Legoland (routes 702/703, four buses an hour) is directly opposite the exit of Riverside Station.

The 703 goes to Bracknell in the other direction as well, which is SWR territory.

 

[wickham]

Hello,I need help with the 701/5 sets seen at Clapham Junction yard and also the sets in roads 17 and 18 in the shed at Wimbledon park 17th March 2026 please.
Many thanks for your help

Unless they have swopped unit formations around, which is unlikely, the pairs in Clapham Yard are:
528+529, 504+503 and 520+522 Confirmed by sight 10.03.26:
Can't help with observations at Wimbledon.

 

[D7672]

Unless they have swopped unit formations around, which is unlikely, the pairs in Clapham Yard are:
528+529, 504+503 and 520+522 Confirmed by sight 10.03.26:
Can't help with observations at Wimbledon.

Thank you

 

[DelW]

Another PIS issue ... The screen I'm sitting under is (correctly) showing us as a service to Waterloo via Epsom. But the next one, having been telling us a time three hours out, now tells me that it's a service to Weybridge

 

[Ian Hardy]

701036's CIS is jumpy when going through the list of stations on the 13:27 Kingston roundabout service. It isn't smooth scrolling text.

 

[Goldfish62]

701036's CIS is jumpy when going through the list of stations on the 13:27 Kingston roundabout service. It isn't smooth scrolling text.

They're all like that.

 

[Ian Hardy]

They're all like that.

Hopefully it wasn't intended to be like that, if so I would sack the person who approved it, the displays on 5712 were a lot better.

 

[Goldfish62]

I would sack the person who approved it,

Bit harsh!

 

[bb21]

701049 likely ready on 2O53 as I understand.

 

[Goldfish62]

I see the "majorly upgraded" PIS still refers to "TfL Rail". Arrgghhh!

 

[Nogoohwell]

I see the "majorly upgraded" PIS still refers to "TfL Rail". Arrgghhh!

I would not confuse the data (destinations and routes) with the PIS that runs it.
The data is probably a simple file which i doubt has been changed. What it runs on (ie the software that decides where it is, what to display, where when and how) is the PIS. Its functionality would have been changed but will have no impact as far as you see it.
This model allows the unit to move to southern and they just change the data file of destinations, not the PIS.
Hope that helps

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

But the station names are now displayed in an abbreviated form, which suggests that the data has changed.

It seems that the much mentioned PIS update has unfortunately been rolled out in full as every Arterio I've seen since Friday (and I've seen a large number of them) seem to be displaying the ridiculous "Lon W'loo" instead of the full name (despite it fitting entirely, I know it's necessary on the Desiros) and "Car XYZ" Instead of "Coach XYZ".

 

[NSEWonderer]

701049 likely ready on 2O53 as I understand.

Doing the rounds, passed Teddington. 2 or 3rd fastest introduction I believe from storage to passenger running.

 

[Recessio]

On one hand, the "Car X" on the outside PIS no longer scrolls pointlessly, that's good. On the other hand, when I got on a train at Clandon and it was announcing all the stop up to Waterloo, it only actually said the names of about three of the stations, with the rest being an awkward silence.

One step forward, one step backwards...

 

[bb21]

Doing the rounds, passed Teddington. 2 or 3rd fastest introduction I believe from storage to passenger running.

I did know this one a few days ago but couldn't say anything as I seem to have developed the knack for "kiss of death" on any subject I reveal on here in recent months, unless set in stone and confirmed.

 

[NSEWonderer]

I did know this one a few days ago but couldn't say anything as I seem to have developed the knack for "kiss of death" on any subject I reveal on here in recent months, unless set in stone and confirmed.

Haha I know the feeling

 

[WWTownEnth]

701001 - In Passenger Service (2 Mar 26)
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 - In Passenger Service (6 Mar 26)
701007 - In Passenger Service (24 Feb 26)
701008 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701009 - In Passenger Service (17 Oct 25)
701010 - In Passenger Service (22 Dec 25)
701011 - In Passenger Service (26 Feb 26)
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 (25 Nov 24)
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 - In Passenger Service (9 Feb 26)
701023 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701024 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701025 - In Passenger Service (24 Jun 25)
701026 - In Passenger Service (3 Nov 25)
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 (28 Oct 24)
701032 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701033 - In Passenger Service (26 Nov 25)
701034 - In Passenger Service (18 Mar 25)
701035 - In Passenger Service (28 May 25)
701036 - In Passenger Service (7 Mar 25)
701037 - In Passenger Service (9 Jan 24)
701038 - In Passenger Service (5 Feb 26)
701039 - In Passenger Service (10 Jan 24)
701040 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701041 - In Passenger Service (17 Jun 25)
701042 - In Passenger Service (21 May 25)
701043 - In Passenger Service (16 Jan 24)
701044 - In Passenger Service (5 Feb 25)
701045 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701046 - In Passenger Service (17 Mar 25)
701047 - In Passenger Service (31 Dec 25)
701048 - In Passenger Service (8 Nov 25j
701049 - In Passenger Service (20 Mar 26)
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 - SWR preparing for passenger service
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: 43/60
SWR preparing for passenger service: 13/60 (Including 028 which briefly served passengers and is now on testing duties)
Stored at Eastleigh: 3/60
Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane: 1/60


701501 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701502 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701503 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701504 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701505 - Stored at Bicester
701506 - Stored at Bicester
701507 - Stored at Bicester
701508 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701509 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701510 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701511 - Stored at Bicester
701512 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701513 - Stored at Bicester
701514 - Stored at Bicester
701515 - Stored at Bicester
701516 - Stored at Bicester
701517 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701518 - Stored at Bicester
701519 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701520 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701521 - Stored at Bicester
701522 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701523 - Stored at Bicester
701524 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701525 - Stored at Bicester
701526 - Stored at Bicester
701527 - Stored at Bicester
701528 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701529 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701530 - Stored at Bicester

In Passenger Service: 0/30
SWR preparing for passenger service: 11/30
Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane: 4/30
Stored at Bicester 15/30

List updated.

Interesting to see that all but 4 701030-701060 are now in traffic, whereas the number is all but 13 701001-701029.

 

[mansonlo49]

List updated.

Interesting to see that all but 4 701030-701060 are now in traffic, whereas the number is all but 13 701001-701029.

I split it into thirty each side（701001–701030 and 701031–701060）
And just 4 left on the second half to enter service（032，040，045，055）

Besides 701023 moved to Farnham on 5Q93, preparing for service soon?

 

[Peter Sarf]

List updated.

Interesting to see that all but 4 701030-701060 are now in traffic, whereas the number is all but 13 701001-701029.

That fits with my belief that the earlier ones built have suffered more in storage as they have been stored for longer.

 

[adc82140]

How many of the early builds had to go back for cab mods? Would this effectively put them at the back of the introduction queue?

 

[Peter Sarf]

How many of the early builds had to go back for cab mods? Would this effectively put them at the back of the introduction queue?

So how many needed cab modifications ?.
As many as the first thirty ?.

Also 701003 is at Derby - has it ever left Derby or at least been anywhere near SWR in the past ?.

 

[wickham]

701003 has had an interesting history:
Moved Derby to Wembley 05.11.23 (apparently for some work at Wembley Alstom depot), Wembley to Eastleigh 07.02.24, Eastleigh to Long Marston 08.05.24, Long Marston to Derby Works 09.01.25:
Regarding the "cab modifications", have ANY actually had cab modifications ? I think this was discussed much earlier in this thread and was denounced as a complete red herring, ie: not true ! (But, I am open to be corrected).