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

[swtrains]

701031 testing today:
5T90 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - normal.
5T91 - Waterloo - Waterloo - Goes to Hampton Court and back.
5T92 - Waterloo - Waterloo - Goes to Twickenham and back.
5T93 - Waterloo - Waterloo - Goes to Staines via Hounslow, then to Twickenham, then turns around and goes back to Waterloo via Wimbledon.
5T94 - Waterloo - Clapham Yard - normal.
Interesting to note that 5T93 finishes at around 1AM tomorrow, most station testing seems to be happening later in the day now.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q84988/2024-10-09/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q84987/2024-10-09/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q84986/2024-10-09/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q84985/2024-10-09/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q84984/2024-10-10/detailed#allox_id=0

 

[OneTrackMinded]

I'm generally noticing more 701s out and about. We're definitely going to be seeing a proper rollout soon, that's for sure.

 

[swr444]

Saw the 701 2x5 cars on test at Bournemouth earlier

 

[Peter301184]

701031 testing today:
5T90 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - normal.
5T91 - Waterloo - Waterloo - Goes to Hampton Court and back.
5T92 - Waterloo - Waterloo - Goes to Twickenham and back.
5T93 - Waterloo - Waterloo - Goes to Staines via Hounslow, then to Twickenham, then turns around and goes back to Waterloo via Wimbledon.
5T94 - Waterloo - Clapham Yard - normal.
Interesting to note that 5T93 finishes at around 1AM tomorrow, most station testing seems to be happening later in the day now.

PTI darkness testing

 

[norbitonflyer]

No evening diagram on thge Sheppertons this evening. Was this planned?

 

[Stephen42]

No evening diagram on thge Sheppertons this evening. Was this planned?

The trains are cancelled on Darwin due to a shortage of train crew. There's a few other services cancelled on other diagrams due to crew shortage, though covering 701 diagrams is probably harder than the others at the moment.

 

[Devonman2014]

Today at 17:00 I passed through Clapham jctn and there were a few parked up.
Got 701025 / 012 / 529 / 046

Anyone know the rest ??

 

[swtrains]

701031 testing today:
5T94 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - normal.
5T95 - Waterloo - Waterloo - Goes to Guildford via Epsom and back.
5T96 - Waterloo - Clapham Yard - Goes to Dorking, then heads back to Clapham.
All today's testing occurs in the daytime.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q87399/2024-10-14/detailed#allox_id=0

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q87398/2024-10-14/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q87397/2024-10-14/detailed

 

[Waterlemon]

701031 testing today:
5T94 - Clapham Yard - Waterloo - normal.
5T95 - Waterloo - Waterloo - Goes to Guildford via Epsom and back.
5T96 - Waterloo - Clapham Yard - Goes to Dorking, then heads back to Clapham.
All today's testing occurs in the daytime.

Good day to have no glare from the sun

 

[norbitonflyer]

RTT shows the Shepperton diagram to be a pair of 450s this evening

 

[Stephen42]

RTT shows the Shepperton diagram to be a pair of 450s this evening

It looks the Shepperton diagram went over due to stock reasons than crew readiness, reduced overtime take up may also be a factor as again a few other crew related cancellations in the mix. Tonight the first pair of services was cancelled, 2H59, 2H68, 2H67, 2H76 are running with the pair of 450s from 2R51 which normally go to Clapham Yard. The final 2H77 is cancelled with the 450s going to Clapham Yard. I wonder how long it will take before the Shepperton evening diagram runs reliably.

 

[swr444]

It looks the Shepperton diagram went over due to stock reasons than crew readiness, reduced overtime take up may also be a factor as again a few other crew related cancellations in the mix. Tonight the first pair of services was cancelled, 2H59, 2H68, 2H67, 2H76 are running with the pair of 450s from 2R51 which normally go to Clapham Yard. The final 2H77 is cancelled with the 450s going to Clapham Yard. I wonder how long it will take before the Shepperton evening diagram runs reliably.

Definitely due to staffing reasons. Was all cancelled until a few hours ago

 

[OneTrackMinded]

I wonder how long it will take before the Shepperton evening diagram runs reliably.

If the Shepperton diagram can’t run reliably, I doubt they’re ready to launch more services soon. Not really buying that whole “10 new services in the next 4 months” claim they made to the telegraph

 

[pompeyfan]

I’ve heard there may be work for them on the Hampton Court line shortly, but can’t comment on which diagram.

 

[swr444]

I’ve heard there may be work for them on the Hampton Court line shortly, but can’t comment on which diagram.

Could be the 2J that starts at surbiton and does one trip up to Waterloo. Would make sense to start it from Hampton court if it’s a 701…

 

[swtrains]

Today's testing:
5T90 - Clapham Yard - Guildford U.C.H.S. - Went to Waterloo first, then down to Guildford, then Guildford sidings.
5T91 - Guildford U.C.H.S - Went to Guildford Pl 4, then reversed into Pl 2 before heading back via Cobham.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q87401/2024-10-15/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q87400/2024-10-15/detailed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Oct 2024 ==

I’ve heard there may be work for them on the Hampton Court line shortly, but can’t comment on which diagram.

Have heard the same, would make sense since there's been a fair amount of testing on the line in the past few weeks.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Oct 2024 ==

701039 is only doing 1 path to and from Waterloo this evening, due to today's trespass.

 

[norbitonflyer]

701039 is only doing 1 path to and from Waterloo this [Tuesday] evening, due to today's trespass.

One more than the Shepperton has today (Wednesday) . "Staff issues".

They put a 701 on the Sheppies because they are some of the busiest, and so could make best use of the ten cars. Backfires if you get no train at all.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

One more than the Shepperton has today (Wednesday) . "Staff issues".

Training must be very slow to have staff issues with there only being 2 diagrams... like everything in this programme. Would have preferred if they had waited a bit longer for there to be sufficient trained to run a semi reliable service

 

[swr444]

Training must be very slow to have staff issues with there only being 2 diagrams... like everything in this programme. Would have preferred if they had waited a bit longer for there to be sufficient trained to run a semi reliable service

Problem with training driver instructors first is that those DIs need to be used for trainees…which don’t sign 701s and need to get their hours in

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Problem with training driver instructors first is that those DIs need to be used for trainees…which don’t sign 701s and need to get their hours in

What was the logic behind that decision then? Actually in hindsight that's a bit of a silly question considering the instructions have to train the normal drivers...
I guess my question is for how long will this stage last - I can only assume that the proper rollout will begin once normal drivers begin to be trained

 

[Goldfish62]

I guess my question is for how long will this stage last - I can only assume that the proper rollout will begin once normal drivers begin to be trained

Surely "normal" drivers started being trained weeks ago, but as has been stated many times before it needs a certain critical mass of trained drivers to enable reliable service introduction. Based on new trains introduction elsewhere that seems to be around 3-4 months.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Surely "normal" drivers started being trained weeks ago, but as has been stated many times before it needs a certain critical mass of trained drivers to enable reliable service introduction. Based on new trains introduction elsewhere that seems to be around 3-4 months.

From what has been described on this thread, only DIs have been trained so far

 

[Stephen42]

Training must be very slow to have staff issues with there only being 2 diagrams... like everything in this programme. Would have preferred if they had waited a bit longer for there to be sufficient trained to run a semi reliable service

Waiting longer would mean more trains short formed, they will need to balance the reliability against being able to provide more capacity when it works plus the rest of the factors involved in a rollout.

It's plausible that some links are weaker than others, it only requires one depot to not have enough cover for the whole diagram to be cancelled or need significant tweaking. Strawberry Hill is probably relatively small, the Shepperton diagram is the last one to finish at the depot so harder to cover and can't use someone from another location. Other depots may have good coverage and be ready to take on more work, but can only go as slow as the limiting factor.

 

[swtrains]

Waiting longer would mean more trains short formed

I have to say, it's rather concerning how many 450s are being used on the suburban side (via Wim), not that I'm complaining.
Still not sure why they were so desperate to get rid of the 707s, particularly the last 2 units, as it is evident they are needed more than ever right now. I wonder if they introduce the 458/4s on the suburban side if it gets even worse than it currently is.

 

[Forestboy]

From what has been described on this thread, only DIs have been trained so far

The majority of the DI's have now been trained who work at the inner depots (Waterloo, Wimbledon, S Hill, Feltham and Staines) The intention is to run 3 course groups concurrently from next month. They are now beginning to work their way through the rest of the driving grade.

 

[Snow1964]

Still not sure why they were so desperate to get rid of the 707s, particularly the last 2 units, as it is evident they are needed more than ever right now.

The 707s were leased to SE about 2 years ago, then sub leased back to SWR on short term temporary basis. I think South Eastern simply wanted to use them.

The question should really be why didn't SWR introduce the 701s during the period the 707s were sub leased back to them. I guess if you want to know that there are 350 pages of this thread detailing that saga.

 

[Goldfish62]

From what has been described on this thread, only DIs have been trained so far

Incredible!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Oct 2024 ==

I have to say, it's rather concerning how many 450s are being used on the suburban side (via Wim), not that I'm complaining.

While still using 455s on Reading services...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Oct 2024 ==

I wonder if they introduce the 458/4s on the suburban side if it gets even worse than it currently is.

They already have. 12 458/4s are used on Hounslow loop/Weybridge services. It's meant to be increasing to 16 units.

 

[swtrains]

They already have. 12 458/4s are used on Hounslow loop/Weybridge services. It's meant to be increasing to 16 units.

I meant on the Wimbledon side.

Also it seems the evening Shepperton service is cancelled again today.

 

[Class15]

They already have. 12 458/4s are used on Hounslow loop/Weybridge services. It's meant to be increasing to 16 units.

I might be wrong however it might have meant the Mainline Suburban routes rather than the Windsor lines.

 

[lewisf]

Shame the 456s were binned off a couple of years ago. They would have been handy now too.