Where can I see 701 Arterios trains?

[htmtrains]

Hi all, just a quick question; at the moment, where are the 701s being tested and / or held? I’ve seen some people manage to spot them, and I’m just wondering if there are specific places to go to see them. Thanks.

—Ajax

 

[_toommm_]

There’s a few in Clapham Yard - you’ll be able to see them quite clearly from the footbridge of Clapham Junction.

(The photo below is a shot from the footbridge of Clapham Junction, overlooking Clapham Yard, with Class 444s, 450s, 458s, and 701s parked up).

 

[800001]

Feltham Yard has 5 usually.
Eastleigh is a place where a large amount are based, and testing from there frequently happens.

 

[jackot]

Farnham has 5 at the moment

 

[Matt Taylor]

A good way to start would be to look on Real Time Trains for trains at Eastleigh TRSMD using a headcode starting 5Q, they frequently don't run but when they do they usually start and finish there.

 

[DelW]

Hi all, just a quick question; at the moment, where are the 701s being tested and / or held? I’ve seen some people manage to spot them, and I’m just wondering if there are specific places to go to see them. Thanks.

—Ajax

In case you're not aware of it, there's an extensive discussion of the 701s and their problems here:

Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

When they were ordered the total of 750 (60x10, 30x5) vehicles was intended to replace all of the 455, 456, 458, and 707. I think that was 742 vehicles. Seems pretty close to me. Should the 458s be counted as being replaced? Yes, because that was the original plan and still is if you...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[WizCastro197]

Hi all, just a quick question; at the moment, where are the 701s being tested and / or held? I’ve seen some people manage to spot them, and I’m just wondering if there are specific places to go to see them. Thanks.

—Ajax

There’s a few in Clapham Yard - you’ll be able to see them quite clearly from the footbridge of Clapham Junction.

(The photo below is a shot from the footbridge of Clapham Junction, overlooking Clapham Yard, with Class 444s, 450s, 458s, and 701s parked up).

View attachment 124054

In a sight addition to this if you going round the back of Clapham yard, you can see them but you wouldn’t have to pay a fare

I’ll try and find the name of the road in a minute

It is Plough Road.

 

[WizCastro197]

Hi all, just a quick question; at the moment, where are the 701s being tested and / or held? I’ve seen some people manage to spot them, and I’m just wondering if there are specific places to go to see them. Thanks.

—Ajax

You may also just see them by chance around the SWR network.