SWR accepts ‘701s’, but no date for passenger services
MORE than three years later than planned, South Western Railway has accepted the first Class 701 Arterio trains from manufacturer Alstom.
The Department for Transport has confirmed that 24 of the 90 trains have been transferred. But with driver training yet to begin, there is no indication of when passengers are likely to travel on the units.
Responding to a request made by passenger Rich Williams under the Freedom of Information Act, the DfT added: “Work continues with Alstom for a pre-passenger service software update that is due to begin rollout by the end of this calendar year, in order to bring those units to entry into service standard.”
Williams also asked about driver training, which (in early December) had still not started.
The DfT stated: “Depot driver training is currently scheduled to commence before the end of this calendar year. Main line driver training is scheduled to commence in the new year.”
The trains have been seen on trial recently, with the seats still covered in protective material and the doors blocked.
The £1 billion fleet of 750 Derby-built carriages has faced numerous software faults which have still not been fully resolved.
According to drivers’ union ASLEF, other failures have included door obstacle detectors, which had prevented the trains being accepted for driver training.
Further issues reported included the coupling process, faulty windscreen wipers, and cab doors that were difficult to open. There was also a problem with traction converter casings, which house the motor converter module for traction power, and with the auxiliary converter module for lights, heating and door operation.
The trains had originally been due in service from December 2019, working initially on Reading and Windsor services.
A cascade of rolling stock had been agreed, based on the availability of the new trains. Most of SWR’s Siemens Class 707s, which have proved very reliable, transferred to Southeastern. And ageing Class 455/6 suburban trains at Wimbledon depot were withdrawn from service and handed back to the leasing company.
SWR has not yet returned to a pre-pandemic level of service, citing reduced passenger demand. Peak commuter numbers into Waterloo remain at just over half the 2019 levels. It has been suggested that SWR would not currently have sufficient rolling stock to operate that full timetable.
RAIL understands that reasons for SWR accepting the trains without them being ready for service is to free up space at the Derby site.
The train operator would only state that the new trains would enter service “as early in the New Year as possible”. No target date was offered.
SWR’s National Rail Contract is due to expire on May 28 2023, with the possibility of an extension of up to two years.
The DfT told Williams: “The Secretary of State is currently considering the next steps for this contract.”