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

[Bikeman78]

Guard dispatches throughout. Guard dispatch was covered in the agreed course in degraded scenarios. But the new, shorter course which only covers guard dispatch has not been agreed.

I am surprised that the crew are willing to work in the degraded manner day in day out. Someone really needs to get a grip on this. Plenty of other new fleets have rolled out recently. Even the notorious 777s are less of a farce than this.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

I am surprised that the crew are willing to work in the degraded manner day in day out. Someone really needs to get a grip on this. Plenty of other new fleets have rolled out recently. Even the notorious 777s are less of a farce than this.

Think the most disheartening thing about it is the fact that it seems no progress at all is being made to sort it out

 

[Lewis66655]

Diabolical SWR, multiple signal failures today, constant weekend engineering works for the past 2 months and they can’t even bring a new train into full service

 

[The_Train]

Diabolical SWR, multiple signal failures today, constant weekend engineering works for the past 2 months and they can’t even bring a new train into full service

Signal failures and weekend engineering works are not the fault of SWR

 

[3973EXL]

69012 701002

Realtime Trains | 5Q91 1234 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 04/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q91 1234 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 04/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

69012 701011

Realtime Trains | 5Q75 0920½ Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston | 06/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q75 0920½ departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston on 06/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5Q89 Caped

Realtime Trains | 5Q89 1234 Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard | 07/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q89 1234 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard on 07/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q90 1833 Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 07/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q90 1833 departure from Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 07/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[boiledbeans2]

Failing upwards then.

If it were me I'd leave it off my CV and say I'd been in prison rather than being associated with this fiasco.

Also Claire Mann, with her profile on TfL proudly stating:

She oversaw the introduction of a £1bn fleet of new trains, which are being rolled out across the SWR suburban network, including the construction of a state-of-the-art train care facility, and led the £26m modernisation of the Island Line on the Isle of Wight.

Claire Mann appointed TfL's Chief Operating Officer

Claire Mann appointed TfL's Chief Operating Officer

tfl.gov.uk

Excellent rollout of the Class 701s, and the modernisation which upgraded the Island line frequency from 2tph to 1tph.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Also Claire Mann, with her profile on TfL proudly stating:

Claire Mann appointed TfL's Chief Operating Officer

Claire Mann appointed TfL's Chief Operating Officer

tfl.gov.uk

Excellent rollout of the Class 701s, and the modernisation which upgraded the Island line frequency from 2tph to 1tph.

Makes me realise more and more what a total mug I was just sticking to the truth on my CV.

 

[Tirov]

Yesterdays fleet that I could see wandering around the network!

043 037 017 031 036 039 034 042

 

[Mag_seven]

I think its now time to stop discussing how badly this project has been managed and purely focus on factual updates regarding the new trains themselves i.e. recording deliveries, new diagrams etc. This is after all an updates thread in the Traction and Rolling Stock section.

Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.

thanks

 

[800001]

69012 701002

Realtime Trains | 5Q91 1234 Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 04/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q91 1234 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 04/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q75 0920½ Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston | 06/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q75 0920½ departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston on 06/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q89 1234 Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard | 07/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q89 1234 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard on 07/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q90 1833 Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 07/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q90 1833 departure from Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 07/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

701002 is the unit moving.

 

[swtrains]

Today's testing:

5T91 - Clapham Yard - Clapham Yard - goes to Woking, then Guildford, reverses back to Woking, heads up the Byfleet curve to Virginia Water, reverses, goes back to Woking, goes up to Surbiton, reverses, heads back to Woking, then Guildford, reverses back to Woking and heads back to the yard.

Same route as yesterday:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q34103/2025-03-04/detailed

 

[Goldfish62]

Excellent rollout of the Class 701s, and the modernisation which upgraded the Island line frequency from 2tph to 1tph.

Don't forget converting the 458s from 5 to 4 coaches and replacing the suburban high capacity interiors with main line interiors then running them on services which need 10 coach trains with suburban high capacity interiors.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Same route as yesterday:

701042

 

[wickham]

At 1000 today (04.03.25) 701508 was moving about in Wimbledon Top Yard. Ten minutes later at Clapham Yard, it was observed that 701529 has returned from where it has been and has rejoined it's old pal 701528. Also here were 701018 701025 701042 and 701051 (the last two moving around).
I did not get a good view, being on the wrong side of the train, but was there a 701 car on a low loader at East Wimbledon at 1500 today ??

 

[Tirov]

As from the usual suspects going in ant of Waterloo 035 has has a couple of trips between Clapham and the Terminus today according to RTime.

 

[WarrenTManager]

At 1000 today (04.03.25) 701508 was moving about in Wimbledon Top Yard. Ten minutes later at Clapham Yard, it was observed that 701529 has returned from where it has been and has rejoined it's old pal 701528. Also here were 701018 701025 701042 and 701051 (the last two moving around).
I did not get a good view, being on the wrong side of the train, but was there a 701 car on a low loader at East Wimbledon at 1500 today ??

It was a DTS of 5852

 

[3973EXL]

69012 701011

Realtime Trains | 5Q75 0920½ Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston | 06/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q75 0920½ departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston on 06/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q89 1234 Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard | 07/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q89 1234 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard on 07/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q90 1833 Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 07/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q90 1833 departure from Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 07/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[norbitonflyer]

(and 701s never seem to work Sundays),

They do - there was one last Sunday (043), and no less than three on the previous one (036, 037, 039)

 

[St. Paddy]

They do - there was one last Sunday (043), and no less than three on the previous one (036, 037, 039)

There’s rugby at Twickenham on Sunday, it’ll be interesting to see how many they manage to turn out

 

[Nimbus020]

The need for the 701s is becoming even more critical - both the 17:47 (to Chessington South) and the 18:03 (to Guildford via Surbiton) y'day evening were single 4-car 455s - both ran fast from W'loo to Raynes Pk & Surbiton respectively - with all the attendant overcrowding on other trains / impact on the timetable etc.

 

[norbitonflyer]

First anniversary of 701036 entering passenger service. It had the day off for its birthday as there are only five scheduled diagrams on Fridays.

 

[LUYMun]

The space between 701 seats aren't much, if anything it's like a 3+2 but without the 3rd seat. The 444s are a good example of adequate spacing for a 2+2 layout.

In hindsight I should've compared them to the 455s as a good example of 2+2 seating layouts. Even removing the long handrails on alternate seats would be sufficient to provide standing room during the peak periods.

 

[swtrains]

Today's testing:

5T91 - Clapham Yard - Reading - normal.
5T92 - Reading - Clapham Yard - normal.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q34326/2025-03-10/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q34322/2025-03-10/detailed

 

[3973EXL]

701005

Realtime Trains | 5Q89 1234 Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard | 11/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q89 1234 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Eastleigh East Yard on 11/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q92 1817 Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 11/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q92 1817 departure from Eastleigh East Yard to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 11/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Tirov]

8 701's into Waterloo today!

036 017 037 039 043 031 035 042

 

[norbitonflyer]

8 701's into Waterloo today!

036 017 037 039 043 031 035 042

Still only six in public service though................

 

[3973EXL]

5Q77 0800 EH - Long Marston dep 1038
701006

Realtime Trains | 5Q77 0800 Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston Gbrf | 12/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q77 0800 departure from Eastleigh Trsmd to Long Marston Gbrf on 12/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Siemens Staines]

After so long of six units for six diagrams, 701034 has come as something of a shock

Realtime Trains | 2H93 1743 London Waterloo to Shepperton | 12/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 2H93 1743 departure from London Waterloo to Shepperton on 12/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[norbitonflyer]

After so long of six units for six diagrams, 701034 has come as something of a shock

Quite so! Don't think it's a typo either, as I think all the regulars are accounted for. Could it have surpassed 028's record by the end of the week?

 

[nctd2306]

After so long of six units for six diagrams, 701034 has come as something of a shock

Realtime Trains | 2H93 1743 London Waterloo to Shepperton | 12/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 2H93 1743 departure from London Waterloo to Shepperton on 12/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Blimey, was beginning to wonder if I'd ever see the day!
Lets hope it can stay in service and not just be a one off!