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

[Feathers44]

The surprise pair of 450s on what I think was 2D51 on Tuesday was most unwelcome. And full. I guess they didn’t have to open the doors as much as a stopper would have but it still managed to be late.

To be fair, that was more down to the 701 a couple in front of it loading and unloading at Wimbledon through a single set of doors in coach 6 or 7. That took an age. Just as it was all sorted the other doors sprang into life.

 

[Recessio]

All suburban / Windsor services will be 701s.

Fabulous, thank you. As a New Guildford line resident I look forward to not having to ride a crammed 450 ever again!

 

[Goldfish62]

20 years on from the first end?

I think you're right. Then they returned in 2007 still as 458/0 and disappeared again as 458/5 when converted to 458/4 until their reappearance in May 2025.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Another 701/5 (I assume) delivery from Bicester on this coming Tuesday 28/07/2026.
5Q87 09:42 Bicester to Wimbledon arrives 14:00, pass Clapham at 12:27 1/2.

Then light loco back to Bicester, presumably for another delivery on Thursday.
0H71 15:40 Wimbledon Park to Bicester arrives 19:51.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K02626/2026-07-28/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R54186/2026-07-28/detailed

 

[WWTownEnth]

Another 701/5 (I assume) delivery from Bicester on this coming Tuesday 28/07/2026.
5Q87 09:42 Bicester to Wimbledon arrives 14:00, pass Clapham at 12:27 1/2.

Then light loco back to Bicester, presumably for another delivery on Thursday.
0H71 15:40 Wimbledon Park to Bicester arrives 19:51.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K02626/2026-07-28/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R54186/2026-07-28/detailed

Amazing to think all these units are c9ming out of storage and apparently the first one won’t be ready for passenger service until next year.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Amazing to think all these units are c9ming out of storage and apparently the first one won’t be ready for passenger service until next year.

I suppose SWR want to reduce storage charges so will prefer to fill every last bit of siding space they can. Mainly these places will have third rail so storage will be warmer.

 

[Bigfoot]

Amazing to think all these units are c9ming out of storage and apparently the first one won’t be ready for passenger service until next year.

But getting them out of storage and then fully modified and up to the level where they can be introduced takes time. The current plan seems to be begin training in late autumn, getting enough people trained will take a little while, then they will start being introduced. If the fleet is ready then 2x5s can be subbed in for 10s when needed easily. There's logic just that the expectation of the forum always seems to be it should have been done yesterday.

 

[mansonlo49]

But getting them out of storage and then fully modified and up to the level where they can be introduced takes time. The current plan seems to be begin training in late autumn, getting enough people trained will take a little while, then they will start being introduced. If the fleet is ready then 2x5s can be subbed in for 10s when needed easily. There's logic just that the expectation of the forum always seems to be it should have been done yesterday.

then will be there any routes that they’ll only operate in single sets, or required splitting

 

[swr444]

then will be there any routes that they’ll only operate in single sets, or required splitting

This has been covered many times on this thread already

 

[bb21]

Finally 003 has been cleared

 

[Siemens Staines]

Finally 003 has been cleared

And as indicated by @bb21 701003 is in service this morning

2H01 0529 Wimbledon to Shepperton

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L81916/2026-07-27/detailed

 

[WWTownEnth]

701001 - In Passenger Service (2 Mar 26)
701002 - In Passenger Service (18 May 26)
701003 - In Passenger Service (27 Jul 26)
701004 - In Passenger Service (10 Jul 26)
701005 - In Passenger Service (27 Aug 25)
701006 - In Passenger Service (6 Mar 26)
701007 - In Passenger Service (24 Feb 26)
701008 - In Passenger Service (31 Mar 26)
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 - In Passenger Service 9 Jun 26)
701015 - Training duties
701016 - In Passenger Service (4 Jun 26)
701017 - In Passenger Service (25 Nov 24)
701018 - In Passenger Service (6 Jul 25)
701019 - In Passenger Service (18 Apr 26)
701020 - In Passenger Service (8 Oct 25)
701021 - In Passenger Service (15 Sep 25)
701022 - In Passenger Service (9 Feb 26)
701023 - In Passenger Service (7 Apr 26)
701024 - Training duties
701025 - In Passenger Service (24 Jun 25)
701026 - In Passenger Service (3 Nov 25)
701027 - In Passenger Service (29 Jun 26)
701028 - Training duties
701029 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701030 - In Passenger Service (9 Dec 25)
701031 - In Passenger Service (28 Oct 24)
701032 - In Passenger Service (15 May 26)
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 24)
701037 - In Passenger Service (9 Jan 24)
701038 - In Passenger Service (5 Feb 26)
701039 - In Passenger Service (10 Jan 24)
701040 - In Passenger Service (15 Jun 26)
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 - In Passenger Service (10 Apr 26)
701046 - In Passenger Service (17 Mar 25)
701047 - In Passenger Service (31 Dec 25)
701048 - In Passenger Service (8 Nov 25)
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 - In Passenger Service (6 May 26)
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: 56/60
Training duties: 3/60 (028 briefly served passengers before training duties)
SWR preparing for passenger service: 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 Derby Litchurch Lane
701506 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701507 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701508 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701509 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701510 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701511 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701512 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701513 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701514 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701515 - Stored at Bicester
701516 - Stored at Bicester
701517 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701518 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701519 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701520 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701521 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701522 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701523 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701524 - Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane
701525 - SWR preparing for passenger service
701526 - Stored at Bicester
701527 - SWR preparing for passenger service
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: 18/30
Stored at Derby Litchurch Lane: 8/30
Stored at Bicester 4/30

56 now in passenger service. Not sure that number will change for some time.

I guess any further progress on the ten cars will depend on whether the three training units can be released from current duties and whether 029 is anywhere near condition for entering traffic (I gather it hasn’t even been accepted by SWR)……

 

[Siemens Staines]

For anyone interested, the new July PA diagrams and CWN are now available from SWR's website.

diagrams

www.southwesternrailway.com

 

[Covshire1]

701513 + 701523 worked 5Q93 1930 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Farnham C.S.D. last night. There was also a corresponding working of 5Q92 2215 Farnham C.S.D. to Clapham Yard Sidings, but no sticky digits showing on RTT. So perhaps something previously stored there has swapped places. Does anyone know please?

 

[swr444]

701513 + 701523 worked 5Q93 1930 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Farnham C.S.D. last night. There was also a corresponding working of 5Q92 2215 Farnham C.S.D. to Clapham Yard Sidings, but no sticky digits showing on RTT. So perhaps something previously stored there has swapped places. Does anyone know please?

509 + 512 it seems

 

[Peter Sarf]

Well. Todays move from Bicester got cancelled.

Most likely no 701/5 was prepared to interact with breaking requirements in time.

I would expect a move Wednesday or Thursday as an alternative. No paths in for either but there was a light loco back to Bicester from Wimbledon for after the (cancelled) delivery and it would seem there is a loco at Bicester all ready from Derby yesterday.

---

On the subject of when 701/5s might start being in service.
A first step/indication would be their use on training runs.
I read that the 701/5s will not start in passenger service until next year. But that means the last four 701/0s could be coming into service as infrequent as one a month on average !.

So I imagine slow progress during the summer while fewer units are needed. Of course fewer crews available for training as well.

Still seems a long time. Especially as almost two thirds (19/30) of the 701/5s are already on SWR metals.

 

[Goldfish62]

I read that the 701/5s will not start in passenger service until next year. But that means the last four 701/0s could be coming into service as infrequent as one a month on average !.

Why would introduction of the remaining 701/0s be deliberately slowed due to any delay with the 701/5s entering service?

So I imagine slow progress during the summer while fewer units are needed. Of course fewer crews available for training as well.

Surely the vast majority of crews have been trained on 701/0s by now.

 

[WWTownEnth]

Well. Todays move from Bicester got cancelled.

Most likely no 701/5 was prepared to interact with breaking requirements in time.

I would expect a move Wednesday or Thursday as an alternative. No paths in for either but there was a light loco back to Bicester from Wimbledon for after the (cancelled) delivery and it would seem there is a loco at Bicester all ready from Derby yesterday.

---

On the subject of when 701/5s might start being in service.
A first step/indication would be their use on training runs.
I read that the 701/5s will not start in passenger service until next year. But that means the last four 701/0s could be coming into service as infrequent as one a month on average !.

So I imagine slow progress during the summer while fewer units are needed. Of course fewer crews available for training as well.

Still seems a long time. Especially as almost two thirds (19/30) of the 701/5s are already on SWR metals.

Thanks. Does SWR actually need three 10 car units dedeicated to training any more? Now that the driver and guard conversion programmes are substanitally complete? Surely at least one of those three could be released for traffic now? Also any idea just how bad a way 029 is in? Are they waiting for parts to be manufactured to replace all the bits stripped off it over the last few months?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Why would introduction of the remaining 701/0s be deliberately slowed due to any delay with the 701/5s entering service?

Surely the vast majority of crews have been trained on 701/0s by now.

I did say on average one per month.

There is the conversion course - not a big course so I should hope not too much of a hindrance.

I think there must be very few crew completely untrained.
Are there any routes that 701/5s are expected to work that 701/0s currently do not work ?.

Thanks. Does SWR actually need three 10 car units dedeicated to training any more? Now that the driver and guard conversion programmes are substanitally complete? Surely at least one of those three could be released for traffic now? Also any idea just how bad a way 029 is in? Are they waiting for parts to be manufactured to replace all the bits stripped off it over the last few months?

I suppose 701029 could gain parts robbed from a 701/5 or two. So maybe it is something more involved. But then I would expect a trip to Derby Litchurch Lane.

SWR must be creaking at the seams with the equivalent of 10 701/0s * sitting around. Especially as there are still 30 458s around (2 x 458/5 amd 28 x 458/4).

* = Granted the 701/5s can fit in shorter sidings but all those 458s are using them as well......

There are separate threads for the demise/re-use of 458/4s.

SWR class 458/4 - possible withdrawal speculation

There's no confirmation that the 458/4 will be withdrawn yet, so this seems really premature.

www.railforums.co.uk

SWR Class 458/4s: fleet status and withdrawal updates

Status of fleet 458401 stored at Bournemouth 458402 In passenger service 458403 stored at Bournemouth 458404 In passenger service 458405 stored at Bournemouth 458406 stored at Bournemouth 458407 stored at Bournemouth 458408 In passenger service 458409 In passenger service 458410 stored at...

www.railforums.co.uk

There is a separate thread covering the demise of the 458/5s.

SWR outgoing Metro fleet withdrawals (complete)

Thread to keep track of the withdrawals of South Western Railway suburban stock, as part of the replacement by Class 701 trains. As of 24 December 2025, Class 456 and Class 707 have been entirely scrapped and transferred to SouthEastern respectively. Class 455 has no more booked workings...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[JacobB2004]

I must admit, even though a lot of people don't, I do quite like the fronts of them.

To me, they look like the face of a bumblebee! Now I've seen it, I can't unsee it.

 

[NSEWonderer]

I must admit, even though a lot of people don't, I do quite like the fronts of them.

To me, they look like the face of a bumblebee! Now I've seen it, I can't unsee it.

View attachment 208402View attachment 208400

Funny you say that but the Desiros id say look more like bees and a fun fact is that you'll often find Bees buzzing about the front of a Desiro of which I believe it's because they think it's a massive queen bee. Often have a fee pop up at Woking Bay when I've got a Desiro in, quickly have to get the cab window closed as nothing worse hearing low pitched buzzing at 70mph

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Why would introduction of the remaining 701/0s be deliberately slowed due to any delay with the 701/5s entering service?

There may be a planned easement of introduction designed to match both 701/5 introduction (and stabling capacity updates) and any planned timetable uplift post December 2026?

Are there any routes that 701/5s are expected to work that 701/0s currently do not work ?.

Not as far as I'm aware. Their use (as 5 car units) being based around stabling issues at a number of locations and their use on services curtailed in part by engineering work alterations, both subjects that have been done to death on this forum in the past.

 

[JacobB2004]

Funny you say that but the Desiros id say look more like bees and a fun fact is that you'll often find Bees buzzing about the front of a Desiro of which I believe it's because they think it's a massive queen bee. Often have a fee pop up at Woking Bay when I've got a Desiro in, quickly have to get the cab window closed as nothing worse hearing low pitched buzzing at 70mph

They do as well! That's so funny, I've never notice them do that. Will have to keep an eye out!

 

[Goldfish62]

So, is the suggestion that no 701/5s will enter service until next year just wibble or actually a thing? If the latter then something must have gone very wrong since the beleagured MD said last month that his aim was to have them all in service by the end of this year.

 

[bb21]

So, is the suggestion that no 701/5s will enter service until next year just wibble or actually a thing? If the latter then something must have gone very wrong since the beleagured MD said last month that his aim was to have them all in service by the end of this year.

Very much hot air.

Interesting this conversation above is taking place today. As we speak 024 is close to being released for service, with just a couple of components to be replaced before release, and I am of the understanding the first pair of /5s are starting to go through the pre-service inspections.

 

[Covshire1]

701506 allox to this evenings 5Q56 2000 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Farnham C.S.D.

 

[swr444]

Very much hot air.

Interesting this conversation above is taking place today. As we speak 024 is close to being released for service, with just a couple of components to be replaced before release, and I am of the understanding the first pair of /5s are starting to go through the pre-service inspections.

On its way from Clapham yard to Wimbledon park as 5Q53

 

[bb21]

On its way from Clapham yard to Wimbledon park as 5Q53

Yes the remaining work needs Wimbledon attention.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Paths now in for a deliveries to Wimbledon from Bicester on

Thursday (30/07/2026) and

Friday (31/07/2026).

Also a light engine back to Bicester after Thursdays delivery ready for Fridays delivery.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K02910/2026-07-30/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R54604/2026-07-31/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R54921/2026-07-30/detailed

 

[Meglos]

Very much hot air.

Interesting this conversation above is taking place today. As we speak 024 is close to being released for service, with just a couple of components to be replaced before release, and I am of the understanding the first pair of /5s are starting to go through the pre-service inspections.

701024 in service this morning on 2H01 Wimbledon to Shepperton

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L81916/2026-07-29/detailed#allox_id=0