Class 707 - SWT: Introduction into service

[GW43125]

Great, I'll sign up for the Farewell Tour. Visiting all the familiar haunts of the class. Sidings mainly.

Clapham Yard Sidings-Reading Platform 4/5/6-Staines Up Loop-Reading platform 4/5/6-Staines Up Loop-Reading Platform 4/5/6-Clapham Yard Sidings (but pick up/set down at Clapham Jn rather than the depot)

 

[43096]

Clapham Yard Sidings-Reading Platform 4/5/6-Staines Up Loop-Reading platform 4/5/6-Staines Up Loop-Reading Platform 4/5/6-Clapham Yard Sidings (but pick up/set down at Clapham Jn rather than the depot)

BLS would be up for that, you'd think!

 

[GW43125]

BLS would be up for that, you'd think!

The worrying thing is, you're only half joking...

 

[WWTownEnth]

Reasons why these units should be brought into service on SWTs:

(a) The class 455s used on the Windsor will be required to operate 10 car services on the suburban lines via Wimbledon after the "Waterloo enhancements" are complete in September.

(b) Capacity enhancements on the Windsor lines are desperately required.

Are the DfT seriously suggesting this is all put back until 2019 when the Avantas are ready?

 

[MCR247]

I don't think anyone is. I feel like "they may not enter service with SWT" is being taken as they won't enter service on the South western franchise?

 

[Feathers44]

I don't think anyone is. I feel like "they may not enter service with SWT" is being taken as they won't enter service on the South western franchise?

My thoughts exactly. The only suggestion I've seen is that they won't enter service before the franchise handover. I've seen nothing substantive that suggests First/MTR won't bring them into service at all.

 

[MatthewRead]

I might go looking for a test run tomorrow are there any test runs?

 

[spark001uk]

I might go looking for a test run tomorrow are there any test runs?

Should be. They're mainly on test between Staines and reading, but some have been going other places like Windsor, or occasionally Petersfield or Bournemouth.
If you use rtt, look for 5Qxx headcodes.

 

[MatthewRead]

Should be. They're mainly on test between Staines and reading, but some have been going other places like Windsor, or occasionally Petersfield or Bournemouth.
If you use rtt, look for 5Qxx headcodes.

None around the Richmond and Chiswick areas then?

 

[Bigfoot]

None around the Richmond and Chiswick areas then?

Has to get from Clapham to the test runs so might pass on the way to/from the tests but no, no regular testing there. Unless it's in the middle of the night then sometimes you might get lucky...

 

[swt_passenger]

I don't think anyone is. I feel like "they may not enter service with SWT" is being taken as they won't enter service on the South western franchise?

I suspect people took that line from a report of a Roger Ford piece in Rail Business Intelligence and quoted in wnxx by Tony Miles.

So both Modern Railways staff, making it seem more authoritative than the usual type of rumour...

I think the local BBC bloke Paul Clifton said the same on TV.

 

[swt_passenger]

Should be. They're mainly on test between Staines and reading, but some have been going other places like Windsor, or occasionally Petersfield or Bournemouth.

Wasn't it suggested that those rather "off-piste" routes were just for Royal Ascot week, so unlikely to happen often in future?

 

[spark001uk]

Wasn't it suggested that those rather "off-piste" routes were just for Royal Ascot week, so unlikely to happen often in future?

Those alternatives were used during Ascot yes, however they have been on those routes a number of times already.

 

[swt_passenger]

Those alternatives were used during Ascot yes, however they have been on those routes a number of times already.

Probably should have just said far less likely than the Reading route then, if anyone was looking to pop out and see them.

 

[spark001uk]

Probably should have just said far less likely than the Reading route then, if anyone was looking to pop out and see them.

And as if by magic, the Petersfield run is on the go today!
5Q11 - 707006 / 004. 5Q14 return.

So Matthew you should expect that at Chiswick around 1533, though do keep an eye on it on rtt, as it could well be early (or late), or even go via Richmond, who knows!

Attached pic @ Virginia Water.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

I might go looking for a test run tomorrow are there any test runs?

There seems to be a regular run that passes through Feltham about 9:40 every morning.

 

[DelW]

And as if by magic, the Petersfield run is on the go today!
5Q11 - 707006 / 004. 5Q14 return.

Entirely by chance, I happened to see this heading south through Godalming just before 11 o'clock this morning. The red livery caught my attention, but it was only when I counted the number of cars in the second unit that I was sure what I was seeing.

I thought there were no spare paths on the Direct south of Guildford, so how is it that inner suburban units are being tested down there? It's well off their intended area after all.

 

[bb21]

I thought there were no spare paths on the Direct south of Guildford,

Why would there be no path? No reason why it can't fit behind a fast train, for example.

 

[Driver@swt]

The path to Reading is unavailable every 4th Thursday, which results in the Petersfield run.

 

[Bigfoot]

There is a briefing out at swt regarding the brake issue with the 700s and how if a similar situation was to arise with the class 707.

The most interesting point is that it clearly states that the computer set up in a 707 is different to the 700s and that it is not believed that the same issue will occur in swt.

 

[1018509]

Just saw to two 707's at New Milton heading towards Bournemouth. Nice they look too in their bright red.

Who is testing these as SWT will not be interested now?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Just saw to two 707's at New Milton heading towards Bournemouth. Nice they look too in their bright red.

Who is testing these as SWT will not be interested now?

SWT still. South Western Railway will use them until about 2019.

 

[Feathers44]

Just saw to two 707's at New Milton heading towards Bournemouth. Nice they look too in their bright red.

Who is testing these as SWT will not be interested now?

Why wouldn't they? It's still their franchise for another month. They're hardly going to give up and walk away from the job just because they've got an end date in sight (or am I mis-interpreting?)

 

[3141]

Why wouldn't they? It's still their franchise for another month. They're hardly going to give up and walk away from the job just because they've got an end date in sight (or am I mis-interpreting?)

I don't think you're misinterpreting.

 

[GW43125]

707003 & another have just passed Chertsey on the down. Where are they testing today?

 

[Matt Taylor]

707003 & 707005 have been coupled together for several months now, I'd be very surprised if it was any other unit.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Are they anywhere near to completing their mileage of fault free running yet?

 

[87015]

This weeks WON apparently says they've been cleared for parts of the ELL, going for a stroll off patch presumably?

 

[GW43125]

707003 & 707005 have been coupled together for several months now, I'd be very surprised if it was any other unit.

I only said "and another" as the angle at which I was standing, compounded by the trees, meant I couldn't see the first number

 

[trainmania100]

Does anyone know if tomorrow's VSTP 5Q15 to Portsmouth PMS is
A) likely to run
B) a 707

Many thanks