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

[spark001uk]

Looks like 002 made it to Basingstoke early this morning, anyone confirm? That would make it its first lone operation outside a possession.

 

[Goldfish62]

Frames but no cushions in at least one of the coaches?

Yes, and completely seat less in the rest. I'd guess the end cars are fully furnished for crewing purposes.

 

[swt_passenger]

Yes, and completely seat less in the rest. I'd guess the end cars are fully furnished for crewing purposes.

I expect so. Plenty of precedents for units running round part fitted at this stage of proceedings though?

 

[Goldfish62]

I expect so. Plenty of precedents for units running round part fitted at this stage of proceedings though?

Yes, 458s 8001 and 8002 arrived with no seats, as well as being white with red cabs. It was quite a while before they returned to Washward Heath for fitting out and painting.

 

[spark001uk]

Anyone know where 002 went after Basingstoke this morning? It vanished off the system there.

 

[Bigfoot]

Expect some press activities regarding the delivery of the 701 stock into Wimbledon today. Mark Hopwood is making an appearance at the park.

 

[Owen31]

Currently running 58 late through EMD

 

[WWTownEnth]

Are these deliveries likely to develop a rough frequency to them from now onwards?

As I understand it, all units are supposed to be in service by autumn 2021. That would imply more than one unit a week being delivered from sometime soon.......

 

[trainmania100]

701004 is on today's move not 003

 

[hwl]

I expect so. Plenty of precedents for units running round part fitted at this stage of proceedings though?

Easier to do the ride height calibration stuff with sand bags if there aren't seats in there. (Only needs to be done once on an early unit.)

 

[Bigfoot]

701004 is fully liveried approaching Wimbledon.

 

[traji00]

Arrived in No.10 road at Wimbledon TCD.
Some personnel look to be in attendance.

(at time of writing, locos + barrier vehicles obscure the view from a passing train.)

 

[traji00]

Courtesy of a Wimbledon colleague:

 

[Goldfish62]

Courtesy of a Wimbledon colleague:

View attachment 80187

Looks smart.

 

[spark001uk]

Here's my little contribution to today's proceedings, in 4K. Looking very smart.
.

 

[WWTownEnth]

Are these deliveries likely to develop a rough frequency to them from now onwards?

As I understand it, all units are supposed to be in service by autumn 2021. That would imply more than one unit a week being delivered from sometime soon.......

 

[Uzair]

 

[Bald Rick]

Are these deliveries likely to develop a rough frequency to them from now onwards?

As I understand it, all units are supposed to be in service by autumn 2021. That would imply more than one unit a week being delivered from sometime soon.......

Unlikely just yet, if the Anglia experience is anything to go by.

 

[gazr]

Here's my vid from earlier today near Wimbledon: https://twitter.com/TRACKiSTuk/status/1277974384242638848
Would like to say thanks to @SW_Help for liking this

 

[Goldfish62]

Are these deliveries likely to develop a rough frequency to them from now onwards?

As I understand it, all units are supposed to be in service by autumn 2021. That would imply more than one unit a week being delivered from sometime soon.......

1-2 units per week was the pre-Covid plan.

 

[Bigfoot]

Here's my vid from earlier today near Wimbledon: https://twitter.com/TRACKiSTuk/status/1277974384242638848
Would like to say thanks to @SW_Help for liking this

Not the first unit delivered for testing though is it...

 

[Pete_uk]

It looks like the unit is up on something in those photos!

 

[Goldfish62]

Not the first unit delivered for testing though is it...

Depends how pedantic you want to be - it's the first one delivered to Wimbledon for testing.

 

[Railperf]

Unlikely just yet, if the Anglia experience is anything to go by.

Best estimates are another 2-3 months before a 720 enters passenger service on Anglia - that will be 8- yes eight months after the first unit was delivered to Ilford.

 

[samuelmorris]

Best estimates are another 2-3 months before a 720 enters passenger service on Anglia - that will be 8- yes eight months after the first unit was delivered to Ilford.

Under the circumstances, that doesn't seem that bad - it's more that it's 18 months after they were supposed to enter service that's the disappointment!

 

[Railperf]

Under the circumstances, that doesn't seem that bad - it's more that it's 18 months after they were supposed to enter service that's the disappointment!

True, but at least GEML commuters have trains to ride. Poor GOBLIN users had several months of no service and bustitutions because there were no trains at all - after they were sent away.
Similarly Anglia regional users had several months of cancellations as the 755's were trying to come on stream and the older DMU's being cascaded away.
The sooner the 720's come on stream - the better - but the delay isn't too big an issue. Slight disappointment - nothing more.

 

[hwl]

Unlikely just yet, if the Anglia experience is anything to go by.

Pre-Covid the build rate would have seen 2x 10 car units delivered every 6th week with 1 in other weeks. 5car build rate a bit slower with the extra cab.
All slowed down a bit with Covid so production will be slower till at least September.

 

[Bigfoot]

It looks like the unit is up on something in those photos!

It's a pit road, so both yes and no.

 

[Domh245]

Latest report is that from first unit into service (notably, no date given for that!) it'll be 2 years for full fleet replacement, so less than 1 a week on average

https://twitter.com/Richard_rail/status/1278628070321197057

 

[TrainTube]

Any units moving about today?