Class 701 'Aventra' passenger opinions

[Goldfish62]

I have often noticed this, both the questionable stains on the seats and the non-working toilets onboard. Why is this for the latter, is it just the tanks are full, the public rough with the door mechanisms or just the toilets are buggy software wise!?

Because, and this is from SWR when I filed a complaint, the toilets lock themselves out of use when the water tanks run dry. SWR told me that steps were being taken to refill the tanks more often, so we shall see.

Feels to me that they have failed to factor in that 50% fewer toilets on a train means that the ones thar are there will be used twice as much. They've had nine years to plan for this!

 

[nlogax]

Finally got to spend some decent time on a couple of 701s a few weeks back and it was, well, very nice. As an ex-Surbitonite who migrated north just before the 701s finally got their time beyond the sidings, my overriding memories are of staid re-branded 450s and completely knackered but loveable 455s. To sit on something with a decent, light interior and what feels like acres of space is a bit of a leap forward. Very smooth, decent ride quality and just drama-free in every way.

These could have been roaming the rails years earlier but it is what it is. And in a way I'm glad they're only in proper service now, because the backward leap between those and the crusty 156s I'm stuck with in my Scottish home would have been too much to bear.

 

[43096]

Fold down tables are magnets for people to leave rubbish on.

Personally I'm quite happy to have no fold down tables and less litter on my train. And there's plenty of seats with tables should you require one.

So fold down tables are magnets for rubbish, but the fixed ones aren’t? Your argument makes no sense.

In any case whilst occasionally you get fold down tables with rubbish on, it’s not exactly an epidemic of such behaviour - that is from many years travelling on the Windsor lines with trains with fold down tables (Junipers and Desiros).

 

[Bigfoot]

The fancy new toilets remove the water and leave behind a sh*t brick that is removed by forklift if my memory is correct.

That's a new one! Digested into a thick sludge with water content reduced processed and discharged. Sludgy stuff sucked out. No forklifts envolved.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

That's a new one! Digested into a thick sludge with water content reduced processed and discharged. Sludgy stuff sucked out. No forklifts envolved.

I hate that I came across this post while eating.

 

[Waterlemon]

That's a new one! Digested into a thick sludge with water content reduced processed and discharged. Sludgy stuff sucked out. No forklifts envolved.

Thank you for the correction.

 

[Towers]

I will say I think the choice of interior colours is particularly drab, I appreciate not everyone was a fan of SWT red seats but personally I always found them to be a welcome dash of cheer amongst a sea of boring interiors. The 701s seem especially dark and dreary in comparison. Aircon and toilets will always be a welcome upgrade, although talk of either system being notably unreliable is poor on brand new rolling stock if that is indeed the case.

I’d still rather a 455 any day, but I’m happy to admit that’s unadulterated spottery wibble!

 

[Goldfish62]

So fold down tables are magnets for rubbish, but the fixed ones aren’t? Your argument makes no sense.

In any case whilst occasionally you get fold down tables with rubbish on, it’s not exactly an epidemic of such behaviour - that is from many years travelling on the Windsor lines with trains with fold down tables (Junipers and Desiros).

Not as bonkers as saying that fitting fold down tables to the 700s would slow them down due to the extra weight. Yes, that was a serious claim made on these forums.

 

[Recessio]

I will say I think the choice of interior colours is particularly drab, I appreciate not everyone was a fan of SWT red seats but personally I always found them to be a welcome dash of cheer amongst a sea of boring interiors. The 701s seem especially dark and dreary in comparison. Aircon and toilets will always be a welcome upgrade, although talk of either system being notably unreliable is poor on brand new rolling stock if that is indeed the case.

I’d still rather a 455 any day, but I’m happy to admit that’s unadulterated spottery wibble!

Anecdotally I've never noticed many problems with the aircon or temperatures onboard, and the toilet availability (and smell) is much improved in recent weeks. Seems to be the usual teething problems we get on any new units but they seem to be settling in nicely now

 

[Goldfish62]

Anecdotally I've never noticed many problems with the aircon or temperatures onboard, and the toilet availability (and smell) is much improved in recent weeks. Seems to be the usual teething problems we get on any new units but they seem to be settling in nicely now

Since the aircon was adjusted earlier this year I've not had any issues either. Last summer I found the temperature setting too warm so I'm glad it's been adjusted.

I don't want to speak too soon about toilet availability. Just as think it really has improved I suddenly come across a couple of trains in a row with both out of order!