Class 707 - SWT: Introduction into service

[spark001uk]

...Haven't been for a few weeks so shall have a look when I'm next there...

I'm up and down it all the time so I'll have another look in the week. You're quite right about P4 VW, I was having a blonde moment!

P3 you could be right, though it's not impossible to platform it; with a bit of parapet widening or a structure across the road to hold the platform. Then there's the money aspect maybe.

I often notice the second bridge and the track path of the west curve. Be nice if they put that back in, would certainly open up the way for some new routes. And be a good turning point for steamers on tours too if needed!

 

[GW43125]

I'm up and down it all the time so I'll have another look in the week. You're quite right about P4 VW, I was having a blonde moment!

P3 you could be right, though it's not impossible to platform it; with a bit of parapet widening or a structure across the road to hold the platform. Then there's the money aspect maybe.

I often notice the second bridge and the track path of the west curve. Be nice if they put that back in, would certainly open up the way for some new routes. And be a good turning point for steamers on tours too if needed!

Unfortunately... money.

 

[spark001uk]

Let's hope FMTR want to splash it around a bit more then!

 

[childwallblues]

West Midlands, obviously! CorPan would make sense though.

LM would be a good home for them. Use them on EUS-CRE and BHM-LIV services and increase their speeds to 110 mph.

 

[Techniquest]

LM would be a good home for them. Use them on EUS-CRE and BHM-LIV services and increase their speeds to 110 mph.

If I've just read it right on a different post, if the 707s have no on-board facilities they would be hugely unsuitable for anything apart from local Birmingham area stoppers!

 

[spark001uk]

Not to mention the ironing board seats, you wouldn't want to sit on those for too long!

 

[Techniquest]

Not to mention the ironing board seats, you wouldn't want to sit on those for too long!

The 700s are comfier than 376s mind, and I sat on one of those recently for about 45 minutes. I agree Euston to Crewe, especially via Northampton on a Sunday, would be pushing the boat of sanity on a 707!

 

[Goldfish62]

I know, I was just saying I won't bother rushing now they're not starting Mon.

As for VW, only p1+2 have been extended so far. I see no sign of work to 3+4 as yet (I was there last Wed). Chertsey looks almost finished on both sides, and Addlestone still hasn't been started.

EDIT: Just seen this of 707008 at Wildenrath, slight horn malfunction!! Mind you, it did have half the front end missing!

Virginia Water and Sunningdale platform extensions are in use. P4 at VW s already 10 cars and P3 is not being extended.

 

[GW43125]

Virginia Water and Sunningdale platform extensions are in use. P4 at VW s already 10 cars and P3 is not being extended.

That's annoying. Once Chertsey is done the only thing stopping an 8/455 from running will be VW P3

 

[swt_passenger]

The Reading line 10 car project affected the following list of stations, Virginia Water was P1 and P2 only.

• Ascot – platforms 1, 2 and 3
• Bracknell – platforms 1 and 2
• Camberley – platforms 1 and 2 (to 6 car length only)
• Chertsey – platforms 1 and 2
• Egham – platforms 1 and 2
• Feltham – platforms 1 and 2
• Martins Heron – platforms 1 and 2
• Sunningdale – platforms 1 and 2
• Virginia Water – platforms 1 and 2
• Wokingham – platform 1 only

Network Rail issued a few press separate press releases recently about the project, e.g. for Sunningdale, Camberley, Bracknell and Wokingham a couple of weeks ago, on Mar 30th:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/latest-news/?fcat=wessex

 

[GW43125]

Feltham won't happen until the crossing is closed, which won't be for a while it seems

 

[spark001uk]

So Virginia water to Weybridge isn't part of the 10 car plan? If so why are they making chertsey 10 car? Granted it was the shortest at 4 car and needed lengthening anyway, but still.

 

[sk688]

LM would be a good home for them. Use them on EUS-CRE and BHM-LIV services and increase their speeds to 110 mph.

That is a bit far for 707s , but the Euston - Tring stoppers could be a good fit for them , seeing as the trains dont go above 75 on that route . Having no toilet wouldnt be too bad either , because it is a 45min-1hr journey on Eus- Tring or the South WCML between Euston and Milton Keynes on the stoppers ( Northampton would be a stretch )

Plus it would free up 350/1s and 3s , which often seem to end up on these short runs , despite the fact that it leaves unsuitable 350/2s for the Crewe , Liverpool and Birmingham Runs

Also , it would allow for more capacity , assuming the metro style 707s have more capacity than a 350 . It means 5 or 10 car units could be used on this routes , in fact I would suggest LM or its successor use 707s as a subfleet , for the Abbey Line and Tring/MKC Stoppers , to get rid of the horrid 319s and free up urgently needed 350s

 

[GW43125]

So Virginia water to Weybridge isn't part of the 10 car plan? If so why are they making chertsey 10 car? Granted it was the shortest at 4 car and needed lengthening anyway, but still.

That's the Reading line upgrade plan, so if we're being pedantic CHY, ASN and WYB aren't part of it.

WYB bay has been 10 car for a few years now

 

[spark001uk]

So I wonder why the 10 car extension at Chertsey then, is it purely because 4 was way too short and they may as well make it 10 car while they're at it? Didn't swt once make plans to extend platforms wherever they can? Seem to remember something about a slogan of "the 10 car network" being touted around?

 

[GW43125]

So I wonder why the 10 car extension at Chertsey then, is it purely because 4 was way too short and they may as well make it 10 car while they're at it? Didn't swt once make plans to extend platforms wherever they can? Seem to remember something about a slogan of "the 10 car network" being touted around?

Partly that, but I think also the platforms are dangerously busy just before the school train turns up. At 4pm, it is difficult to move along the down platform, and when the school finishes early, both platforms are dire at 1pm.

 

[swt_passenger]

So I wonder why the 10 car extension at Chertsey then, is it purely because 4 was way too short and they may as well make it 10 car while they're at it? Didn't swt once make plans to extend platforms wherever they can? Seem to remember something about a slogan of "the 10 car network" being touted around?

There are still short platforms on the Windsor side, which will use ASDO. They have to allow for two 707s in multiple, but as they have no gangways then they have to be longer than 6 cars, but not necessarily 10.

It was only the main suburban side where every station was extended for 10 car, because the 455/456 combos don't have, and can't be fitted with SDO.

 

[GW43125]

Chertsey does not seem to have progressed much over the last two weeks. Both platforms have yellow fencing at the rail edge and the up platform still has gaps. Downside looks almost finished.

 

[spark001uk]

Chertsey does not seem to have progressed much over the last two weeks. Both platforms have yellow fencing at the rail edge and the up platform still has gaps. Downside looks almost finished.

I passed late lastnight and they do look more or less finished, but the safety fencing is still up. There were however a large gang of orange army there, I'd say at least ten of them, so looks like a big drive to get it finished.

What concerns me more is that it will soon be 2 months since the bridge at VW was opened, and the lifts are still yet to be commissioned. At least they've got the new disabled bays in the car park cordoned off though, which is sensible until the station is disabled ready.

 

[GW43125]

Virginia Water P1&2 extensions are now in commission.

I passed late lastnight and they do look more or less finished, but the safety fencing is still up. There were however a large gang of orange army there, I'd say at least ten of them, so looks like a big drive to get it finished.

Downside platform looks done but the upside platform still looks like a worksite, not to mention half of the existing platform shut off with the surfacing ripped up (it's actually getting dangerous now).

 

[Techniquest]

Wouldn't worry about the lifts thing yet, it was months after they went in up here in Hereford before they were commissioned. Even then there were known issues with them for a good while before they finally behaved!

 

[Bigfoot]

Chertsey does not seem to have progressed much over the last two weeks. Both platforms have yellow fencing at the rail edge and the up platform still has gaps. Downside looks almost finished.

Chertsey up and down are in use from Monday.

 

[GW43125]

Chertsey up and down are in use from Monday.

ooh. Not sure whether I want to chance going at the back on Monday morning though!

On another note, the CIS at Chertsey still lists Egham as SDO8.

Any idea when the large areas of platform at Chertsey and Egham will be reopened? The downside shelter at Egham was blocked off this morning by blokes in orange digging holes in the platform, as are other large parts of Egham down and Chertsey Up.

 

[hoppoh]

are 707001 002 still at wimbledon please
are they visible MTIA

 

[spark001uk]

are 707001 002 still at wimbledon please
are they visible MTIA

Just about, they're tucked behind the shed at the moment, just visible. I saw them as I was coming up on the up slow, you can just see their noses sticking out. I assume it's 1 and 2 cos they're not at Clapham as far as I could see. They did a bit of AC testing through the thameslink tunnel a few weeks back, not sure if that's complete yet though?
I say that as I understood they would have the pans and associated equipment removed after that.

 

[hoppoh]

many thanks for your help

 

[Tom m]

Platform extensions at Chertsey open this morning. Still appeared to be some work going on but barriers preventing public using full length platforms have been removed

 

[GW43125]

Platform extensions at Chertsey open this morning. Still appeared to be some work going on but barriers preventing public using full length platforms have been removed

Annoyingly, the 4-5 and 8-10 STOP markers are grouped, meaning 4 and 8 car trains (and even 5 to An extent) go much further up the platform than we're used to. 458 PIS Still advises of it being short (and not a sod got off from carriage 5!)

 

[spark001uk]

Annoyingly, the 4-5 and 8-10 STOP markers are grouped, meaning 4 and 8 car trains (and even 5 to An extent) go much further up the platform than we're used to. 458 PIS Still advises of it being short (and not a sod got off from carriage 5!)

The recorded station announcements are still stating Chertsey as 4car. Not sure if platform CIS is doing the same; I looked at the CIS on P2 at Addlestone but it's still broken.

Is the ASDO working correctly at Chertsey now and opening all doors?

 

[GW43125]

The recorded station announcements are still stating Chertsey as 4car. Not sure if platform CIS is doing the same; I looked at the CIS on P2 at Addlestone but it's still broken.

Is the ASDO working correctly at Chertsey now and opening all doors?

My 5 car 458 opened all doors this morning. Announcements still say SDO8 for Egham too.