Class 701 'Aventra' trains for South Western Railway

[OneTrackMinded]

Assuming 701 trainings have begun or will begin for Drivers, how many of those Drivers actually stay and learn the new units?

Whilst not similar, I do remember when the A stock was being replaced by the S stock, a lot of the old boys called it a day as it would for them I believe change the way they've worked for years plus the relearning of new things. The 455s and 442s to 701s I assume driving wise must be quite a change.

Possibly. I hadn’t really thought about how big of a jump it’s going to be for the driver. All those digital screens and systems. But the difference is of course all the different fleet types on SWR. Usually driver’s don’t just sign 455s, they’ll be going around on the Desiros, Junipers, and maybe even the few Desiro Cities. So you could argue it’s not as big of a jump compared to Tube drivers who in the A Stock example hadn’t ever seen anything close to it before.

Then again there is also new method of operation..

 

[lewisf]

AFAIK the diagram is not a 701 this week due to the overtime ban.

It is. I saw it this morning from another train, between Vauxhall and Queenstown Road with passengers on board

 

[Samzino]

Possibly. I hadn’t really thought about how big of a jump it’s going to be for the driver. All those digital screens and systems. But the difference is of course all the different fleet types on SWR. Usually driver’s don’t just sign 455s, they’ll be going around on the Desiros, Junipers, and maybe even the few Desiro Cities. So you could argue it’s not as big of a jump compared to Tube drivers who in the A Stock example hadn’t ever seen anything close to it before.

Then again there is also new method of operation..

True true

 

[swr444]

I can confirm the 701 is out today, currently on 2U38

 

[Bigfoot]

Then again there is also new method of operation..

There are quite a few holding out for the 701 full introduction before handing in their I'm retiring letters.

 

[DMckduck97]

Then again there is also new method of operation..

This may be what pushes many to hand in their letters, even though on SWR let's say a top link waterloo driver handles all the stock the company operates, fundamentally it's all the same responsibilities. The 701 introduction will rip up what a few drivers have known for 30 odd years maybe even more.

I can see a steady stream of retirements coming over the next 18 months - 2 years.

 

[OscarH]

There are quite a few holding out for the 701 full introduction before handing in their I'm retiring letters.

Must be cursing how long their retirement keeps being delayed

 

[Dan G]

This may be what pushes many to hand in their letters, even though on SWR let's say a top link waterloo driver handles all the stock the company operates, fundamentally it's all the same responsibilities. The 701 introduction will rip up what a few drivers have known for 30 odd years maybe even more.

I can see a steady stream of retirements coming over the next 18 months - 2 years.

SWR would be over the moon if that happens – a VR scheme without the redundancy payments!

 

[nctd2306]

I can confirm the 701 is out today, currently on 2U38

Did you notice if it was the usual one, 043?

 

[Goldfish62]

All those digital screens and systems.

Like the 707s.

 

[Bigfoot]

SWR would be over the moon if that happens – a VR scheme without the redundancy payments!

Except they can't run the reduced service that operates at the moment without overtime and the current number of drivers. There is still a healthy recruitment level occuring, they know some will go and they need to be replaced.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Like the 707s.

As was mentioned in the post if you were to read a bit further

 

[Goldfish62]

Except they can't run the reduced service that operates at the moment without overtime and the current number of drivers. There is still a healthy recruitment level occuring, they know some will go and they need to be replaced.

Presumably this is the same at all TOCs when long-standing trains are replaced. I believe it was at GWR when the IETs replaced the HSTs.

As was mentioned in the post if you were to read a bit further

Errrr....

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Errrr....

even the few Desiro Cities. So you could argue it’s not as big of a jump

 

[SEtrains]

Did you notice if it was the usual one, 043?

Today’s 701 was 037 for a change. I wonder how long it will be before they start testing other units in service.

 

[Parallel]

Are there any plans for these to run on some other routes in passenger service during the current arrangement, or are they currently restricted to Windsor - Waterloo in passenger service?

 

[OneTrackMinded]

Are there any plans for these to run on some other routes in passenger service during the current arrangement, or are they currently restricted to Windsor - Waterloo in passenger service?

I'm pretty sure the plan is to get Windsor to become entirely 701 operated first, then move onto the other routes.

 

[TEW]

Are there any plans for these to run on some other routes in passenger service during the current arrangement, or are they currently restricted to Windsor - Waterloo in passenger service?

It's just Waterloo-Windsor via Richmond & Hounslow that's cleared for passenger service at present. Any expansion in use will be on that route initially.

 

[norbitonflyer]

RTT is being coy about which unit is working the diagram today. (Because of bank Holiday and strike this is the first outing since Friday)

Also 2u29 doesn't seem to be shown on RTT, what comes into Waterloo as 2U26 (to platform 21) goes out as 2U31. Tghere is a one hour gap in departures to Windsor between 1103 and 1203. Is this something to do with the overtime ban?

I can confirm the 701 is out today, currently on 2U38

RTT now shows it. 2U38 is not part of its regular diagram. For some reason 2U29 and 2u36 were cancelled and it ran 2U31/38 instead. Arrived back at Waterloo 20 minutes late. I understand there were signalling problems in the Barnes area

 

[Goldfish62]

I'm pretty sure the plan is to get Windsor to become entirely 701 operated first, then move onto the other routes.

Indeed.

The rollout plan as it stood in January was detailed in Modern Railways. Windsor first, then Hounslow loop / Weybridge, then Shepperton / Kingston loop, then Reading, then mainline stuff.

Of course, that may have changed since then.

 

[TEW]

Indeed.

The rollout plan as it stood in January was detailed in Modern Railways. Windsor first, then Hounslow loop / Weybridge, then Shepperton / Kingston loop, then Reading, then mainline stuff.

Of course, that may have changed since then.

I believe it has. Of course it may well change again before they actually roll out.

 

[TheHSRailFan]

Hi sorry someone sent this to me and I assumed it was their photo.

That's fine, a lot of enthusiasts will post others photos without credit or claim theirs. Not hard feelings.

I enjoyed seeing that photo. Thank you for taking it @TheHSRailFan !

Indeed, excellent shot @TheHSRailFan

Thanks not really needed. It's quite a bad photo taken from my phone that can be easily replicated as the 455 comes in after the final public service of the day happens.

Of course, that may have changed since then.

Knowing how predictable SWR are now, I wouldn't be suprised.

 

[OneTrackMinded]

We all await the day the proper, 1 or so new diagram a week, rollout starts...

 

[Goldfish62]

Knowing how predictable SWR are now, I wouldn't be suprised.

It's more than likely. Up until around 12-18 months ago it was billed as Reading first. That's now slipped right down the pecking order.

 

[Sun Chariot]

701019 (69011 drag) was on today's 5Q81 Wimbledon Park sidings to MoD Marchwood.

Realtime Trains | 5Q81 0918 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Marchwood Mod Gbrf | 09/05/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q81 0918 departure from Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Marchwood Mod Gbrf on 09/05/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Dan G]

Except they can't run the reduced service that operates at the moment without overtime and the current number of drivers. There is still a healthy recruitment level occuring, they know some will go and they need to be replaced.

Indeed but brand new drivers are paid a lot less than ones who have been with the company for decades

 

[OneTrackMinded]

With the heat starting to approach us, we’ll soon get a taste of the air conditioning on the 701

 

[Bigfoot]

Indeed but brand new drivers are paid a lot less than ones who have been with the company for decades

This couldn't be further from the truth.

A reduced rate during training - yes, but once productive length of service has no link to rate of pay. Other non SWR TOCs may have different pay scales.

 

[444045]

Can anyone assist with which Class 701 - 69011 hauled back to Wimbledon Park from Marchwood today on 5Q82 please ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[800001]

Can anyone assist with which Class 701 - 69011 hauled back to Wimbledon Park from Marchwood today on 5Q82 please ?

Thanks in advance.

701032.