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

[Goldfish62]

As the 458s are the first to go off lease and the 458s predominantly work the reading route I'd say that's pretty obvious..?

I was quoting from the article which others on this thread may not have read. And not everyone will be aware that the 458s are off first. No need for the tone.

 

[Warrior2852]

Geoff Marshall has made a video on these now including a tour of the production plant and interior/cab shots in case you are interested.

 

[samuelmorris]

Geoff Marshall has made a video on these now including a tour of the production plant and interior/cab shots in case you are interested.

Interesting that they still fit AC equipment for the testing process (presumably with the lack of DC availability at the factory). I wonder if any mileage accumulation is going to be done using AC kit or whether it's required to be in DC areas to be valid?

Wasn't sure on the yellow front from static images but in motion it's grown on me somewhat. That said, Bombardier do insist on corrupting the front of the units don't they, now that the horn grille that mars the appearance of the 345/710/720s is gone, a wiper appears in its place. It's a shame that couldn't have remained where it was and perhaps an SWR emblem be put in its place, or maybe nothing at all...

 

[Warrior2852]

Interesting that they still fit AC equipment for the testing process (presumably with the lack of DC availability at the factory).

You can see third (and fourth) rail on the test track in addition to the AC, I think its so they can prove that the trains can work with AC so they can potentially be given to an AC operator when whoever runs the South Western franchise then is done with them.

 

[ivzem]

What we can also see is that there is something in the middle of the front lights - although it looks less like a LED strip and more like some sort of dividing line. Pretty visible in the montage starting at 5:10.

 

[TRAX]

I might be wrong but it still looks like an LED strip to me

 

[RealTrains07]

Its a smart move keeping the AC equipment or even having the space to put it back in the future like on all desiro units

 

[43096]

Its a smart move keeping the AC equipment or even having the space to put it back in the future like on all desiro units

Given the way decisions on ditching new fleets have been made, if I were funding a new fleet I’d want maximum flexibility for redeployment.

 

[hwl]

Given the way decisions on ditching new fleets have been made, if I were funding a new fleet I’d want maximum flexibility for redeployment.

The RDG & ROSCOs have a joint agreement and significantly upped the minimum requirements for new orders in the last few years to ensure transferability after the end of section 54 agreements.
The old requirement for 3rd rail units was just AC capable but changed to AC proved especially for EMC and software reasons.
Also features like SDO included as a minimum.

 

[goldenarrow]

Interesting to see that on the interior front, they have ditched the transverse style found on the 345's instead going for the Thameslink "Ironing board" with a bit more padding. I'm also intrigued by the trio of grab poles in the vestibules, wonder wether that will help with spacing or not.

 

[43096]

The RDG & ROSCOs have a joint agreement and significantly upped the minimum requirements for new orders in the last few years to ensure transferability after the end of section 54 agreements.
The old requirement for 3rd rail units was just AC capable but changed to AC proved especially for EMC and software reasons.
Also features like SDO included as a minimum.

RDG in doing something useful shock!

I assume DOO equipment is also included in the spec?

 

[swt_passenger]

Interesting to see that on the interior front, they have ditched the transverse style found on the 345's instead going for the Thameslink "Ironing board" with a bit more padding. I'm also intrigued by the trio of grab poles in the vestibules, wonder wether that will help with spacing or not.

I think the 345 layout is basically driven by TfL’s requirements, rather like the LO 378s and 710s. It doesn’t read across to every mainline operator.

 

[Energy]

Just seem the seats, what a disappointment. They have gone for the class 700 seats despite the backlash. Let's hope they atleast have tables...

 

[swt_passenger]

Let's hope they atleast have tables...

Yes in the facing bays, just small tables, but not in the airlines. As seen in various photos e.g. post #952, and videos in recent posts...

 

[hwl]

RDG in doing something useful shock!

I assume DOO equipment is also included in the spec?

For most applications

 

[hwl]

Just seem the seats, what a disappointment. They have gone for the class 700 seats despite the backlash. Let's hope they atleast have tables...

Different cushions and spacing from 700s

 

[Energy]

Yes in the facing bays, just small tables, but not in the airlines. As seen in various photos e.g. post #952, and videos in recent posts...

So no seat back? Seems like a repeat of 700s to me...

 

[387star]

Yes in the facing bays, just small tables, but not in the airlines. As seen in various photos e.g. post #952, and videos in recent posts...

But odd why not have flip downs as well

 

[TrainTube]

So sick of all these posts claiming that the 455/456s should have soldiered on for another 10 years. They are slow and hellishly overheated in the summer. A replacement can’t come soon enough

I have to agree, I have grew up with them, and I will probably miss them but they are not refurbished well enough, the acceleration is rubbish and I very much look forward to new units. I agree with others that the whiter xenon headlights look nicer, but it wont bother me. The seats aren't a massive issue, because these units aren't used on long distance services unlike the 700s. The motor and traction is the same as the 710s, which sounds quite nice and the acceleration will be used to the max on the services through Surbiton. New units have been needed for South West London, and even though I haven't been entirely impressed with SWR so far I believed that if SWT still had the franchise the 455/456s would've continued for much longer.

 

[goldenarrow]

I think the 345 layout is basically driven by TfL’s requirements, rather like the LO 378s and 710s. It doesn’t read across to every mainline operator.

I'm glad for that, the 3+2 layout that Greater Anglia have opted for on their Aventras looks ludicrously narrow.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Interesting to see that on the interior front, they have ditched the transverse style found on the 345's instead going for the Thameslink "Ironing board" with a bit more padding. I'm also intrigued by the trio of grab poles in the vestibules, wonder wether that will help with spacing or not.

The layout is very similar to the Class 700, which while not the lap of luxury does demonstrably work.

 

[Mikey C]

Not a fan of the SWR livery, and the Aventra in their livery looks a lot duller than the other versions in the Bombardier factory

 

[Meerkat]

Problem with only having one toilet is that whilst it is better than none it’s presence will mean people will rely on it so problems when it is broken......”don’t worry, there’s a loo on the train....”
Not sure how you get to it on a jammed peak train either

 

[Goldfish62]

Not a fan of the SWR livery, and the Aventra in their livery looks a lot duller than the other versions in the Bombardier factory

It'll look a lot better once the yellow stripe and names are added.

 

[Goldfish62]

Not sure how you get to it on a jammed peak train either

That's no different from currently. Try getting to a toilet on a 450 or 458 in the peaks on the Windsor Lines.

 

[JonathanH]

That's no different from currently. Try getting to a toilet on a 450 or 458 in the peaks on the Windsor Lines.

So long as you can wait until you are west of Richmond you should have no problem. A wait of about 20 minutes rather than an hour.

 

[AlexNL]

Interestingly enough, Geoff did not mention anything about seat comfort (not even in a positive way!), the Roger Ford fist of quality, or the elbow test.

 

[samuelmorris]

Interestingly enough, Geoff did not mention anything about seat comfort (not even in a positive way!), the Roger Ford fist of quality, or the elbow test.

Press embargo?

 

[TrainTube]

Interestingly enough, Geoff did not mention anything about seat comfort (not even in a positive way!), the Roger Ford fist of quality, or the elbow test.

I'm not even sure you can carry out the elbow tests on Aventras, do they even have ledges on the windows?

 

[samuelmorris]

I'm not even sure you can carry out the elbow tests on Aventras, do they even have ledges on the windows?

Yes they do, I believe the 345s pass the test and the use the same window ledges as all other Aventras that I can see.