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

[WWTownEnth]

A move from Farnham to Wimbledon has appeared for today making use of GBRFs light loco move to Farnham after bringing 701027 from Eastleigh.

Realtime Trains | 5Z52 1336 Farnham C.S.D. to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 28/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Z52 1336 departure from Farnham C.S.D. to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 28/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Is that likely to be another unit about to enter passenger service?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Is that likely to be another unit about to enter passenger service?

I guess the move from Farnham today and the one from Eastleigh yesterday means space must be being made available by two earlier candidates getting into service (already or VERY imminently).
I note neither made it to Wimbledon under their own steam so they themselves are unlikely to be entering passenger service very soon.
These two moves suggest a drag from Bicester to Wimbledon of a pair of 701/5s is not likely soon.

Afterthought.
It is about time another 458/5 was ready to leave.
(so that would free up space at Wimbledon)
How soon for a 458/4 to go as well given the low number in use (14/28 iirc) ?.
(so the 458/4s are obviously giving up services for 701s and up to 14 are filling sidings)
The above thoughts perhaps apply more to 701/5s getting used.

 

[mansonlo49]

Is that likely to be another unit about to enter passenger service?

cancelled already

 

[Flange Squeal]

cancelled already

The 57 left light loco as 0Z52 in the same path instead.

 

[Peter Sarf]

cancelled already

I assume this :-

A move from Farnham to Wimbledon has appeared for today making use of GBRFs light loco move to Farnham after bringing 701027 from Eastleigh.

Realtime Trains | 5Z52 1336 Farnham C.S.D. to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 28/05/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Z52 1336 departure from Farnham C.S.D. to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 28/05/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[ED73]

701040 is outside Wimbledon depot this morning. Not sure if it's previously been reported as being moved from Farnham.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

701040 is outside Wimbledon depot this morning. Not sure if it's previously been reported as being moved from Farnham.

I saw 701 040 at Wimbledon depot a couple of weeks ago, parked outside the east shed adjacent to the running lines.

 

[wickham]

701040 is outside Wimbledon depot this morning. Not sure if it's previously been reported as being moved from Farnham.

701040 was last reported at Farnham, presume the loco hauled move planned for 28/05 was for this but it was cancelled. Can't see any moves on RTT from Farnham to WPS since 28/05, so when did it move, I wonder ?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

701040 was last reported at Farnham, presume the loco hauled move planned for 28/05 was for this but it was cancelled. Can't see any moves on RTT from Farnham to WPS since 28/05, so when did it move, I wonder ?

That sounds like it either moved over two weeks ago, or it went back to Farnham from Wimbledon for a while?

Do we know which units are currently supposed to be at Farnham?

 

[Siemens Staines]

Due to a person being hit by a train between Frimley and Ascot, both of this mornings Farnham - Waterloo via Ascot services (1N90 0619 & 1N92 0649) were diverted via Guildford and Woking. I know that 701s have regular ECS work between Aldershot and Guildford, but I think that this may have been the first occasion that 701s have worked in passenger service over that route. I am not 100% certain of this as it may have occurred during another period of service disruption?

 

[Stephen42]

That sounds like it either moved over two weeks ago, or it went back to Farnham from Wimbledon for a while?

Do we know which units are currently supposed to be at Farnham?

There was a 5Q move on 19th May from Farnham to Wimbledon that ran unallocated. I'd guess that was 701040 which went there in November.

The other non-passenger service 701/0 at Farnham I believe is 701004. It's been there far longer than any of the others and could imagine the loco hauled move was for that. Based on the allocations feed 509 and 512 might also be at Farnham. In addition there will be a rotating cast of passenger service units with 2 or 3 stabled most nights.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There was a 5Q move on 19th May from Farnham to Wimbledon that ran unallocated. I'd guess that was 701040 which went there in November.

The other non-passenger service 701/0 at Farnham I believe is 701004. It's been there far longer than any of the others and could imagine the loco hauled move was for that. Based on the allocations feed 509 and 512 might also be at Farnham. In addition there will be a rotating cast of passenger service units with 2 or 3 stabled most nights.

That makes sense; I think it was 20th May when I saw 701 040 at Wimbledon. The confusion earlier could be explained if the one at Farnham is indeed 701 004.... we can easily see 004 and 040 being confused...?

 

[swr444]

Due to a person being hit by a train between Frimley and Ascot, both of this mornings Farnham - Waterloo via Ascot services (1N90 0619 & 1N92 0649) were diverted via Guildford and Woking. I know that 701s have regular ECS work between Aldershot and Guildford, but I think that this may have been the first occasion that 701s have worked in passenger service over that route. I am not 100% certain of this as it may have occurred during another period of service disruption?

This happened the other evening too when there was an issue on the Windsor side. Both down evening peak ones went via Woking instead

 

[Siemens Staines]

This happened the other evening too when there was an issue on the Windsor side. Both down evening peak ones went via Woking instead

Thank you, I did wonder if that was the case. It is very difficult to spot these things during periods of disruption! Are they permitted to run via Brookwood to Ash Vale, or are they restricted to running via Guildford? I know that the juice was off at Ash Vale this morning so that they couldn't go that way irrespective of whether they are cleared or not.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Thank you, I did wonder if that was the case. It is very difficult to spot these things during periods of disruption! Are they permitted to run via Brookwood to Ash Vale, or are they restricted to running via Guildford? I know that the juice was off at Ash Vale this morning so that they couldn't go that way irrespective of whether they are cleared or not.

They are permitted to run between Woking and Ash Vale via Brookwood. We used to have a turn which worked a 701 ECS move from Aldershot to Woking in the evening. I think some of the 1NXX services have also been diverted this way during disruption before.

 

[444045]

5Q52 18+27 Wimbledon Park to Clapham Yard this evening is U.701040.

 

[wickham]

That makes sense; I think it was 20th May when I saw 701 040 at Wimbledon. The confusion earlier could be explained if the one at Farnham is indeed 701 004.... we can easily see 004 and 040 being confused...?

At midday on 19.05.26, 701004 701040 701521+701527 701509+701??? were recorded by myself at Farnham.
The 5Q move from Farnham to Wimbledon in the evening of 19/05 was reported on this thread to have been 701521+701517 (later corrected to 701527), but perhaps this was incorrect and it was 701040 that moved? The question is what is left at Farnham now, are 701521+527 still there? It does seem hightly likely that the planned loco hauled move last week was for 701004, but is seems it has other ideas and likes the countryside at Farnham !!

 

[TEW]

Thank you, I did wonder if that was the case. It is very difficult to spot these things during periods of disruption! Are they permitted to run via Brookwood to Ash Vale, or are they restricted to running via Guildford? I know that the juice was off at Ash Vale this morning so that they couldn't go that way irrespective of whether they are cleared or not.

They're permitted both routes, but cannot call at Ash or Wanborough if diverted via Guildford.

 

[wickham]

At midday on 19.05.26, 701004 701040 701521+701527 701509+701??? were recorded by myself at Farnham.
The 5Q move from Farnham to Wimbledon in the evening of 19/05 was reported on this thread to have been 701521+701517 (later corrected to 701527), but perhaps this was incorrect and it was 701040 that moved? The question is what is left at Farnham now, are 701521+527 still there? It does seem hightly likely that the planned loco hauled move last week was for 701004, but is seems it has other ideas and likes the countryside at Farnham !!

See Post 17272: 5Q92 Farnham to WPS ran 19.05.26
Then, according to RTT there was a 5Y79 0840 Farnham to WPS on 21.05.26: So do these moves cover both 701040 and 701521+27 ??

 

[WWTownEnth]

Any new diagram next week?

 

[TEW]

Yes. A main suburban diagram is added next week.

 

[WWTownEnth]

Yes. A main suburban diagram is added next week.

Thanks. Anyone know if that’s likely to lead to a cascade with 450 strengthening on the main line? Or even 450s replacing 458/4s on the Windsor side?

 

[TEW]

Thanks. Anyone know if that’s likely to lead to a cascade with 450 strengthening on the main line? Or even 450s replacing 458/4s on the Windsor side?

450s displace another pair of 458/4s.

 

[Alxxxs]

The trains still have major WC issues. Or maybe it is just the SWR policy to shut them later in the evening?

 

[swr444]

The trains still have major WC issues. Or maybe it is just the SWR policy to shut them later in the evening?

That is not a policy, don't be ridiculous. The toilets are just very unreliable

 

[bb21]

I might have missed this one earlier but I am reliably informed 016 is now ready for service.

 

[WWTownEnth]

I might have missed this one earlier but I am reliably informed 016 is now ready for service.

Looks like it’s taking a debutant’s bow on 2D14 this morning

 

[adc82140]

Is there any conversion training currently underway for the /5s, or is this still yet to commence?

 

[markle]

Looks like it’s taking a debutant’s bow on 2D14 this morning

Seems to have struggled a bit

Realtime Trains | 0658 Guildford to London Waterloo | 04/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 0658 departure from Guildford to London Waterloo on 04/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Separately, how does one pronounce "Arterio"? My local station's announcements always said "Arteerio," but the announcements at my local station have since changed and now pronounce it "Artehrio".

 

[Bigfoot]

Is there any conversion training currently underway for the /5s, or is this still yet to commence?

Nothing as yet. Autumn introduction into service is the current aim.

Looks like it’s taking a debutant’s bow on 2D14 this morning

Seems to have struggled a bit

Realtime Trains | 0658 Guildford to London Waterloo | 04/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 0658 departure from Guildford to London Waterloo on 04/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Door fault, which seems to be becoming a little too common.