First Class 707s arrive at Southeastern

SOUTHEASTERN RECEIVED four Class 707s from South Western Railway during early January ahead of the full fleet transferring across in the summer. Although still relatively new, the Desiro City units are to be replaced by the new Bombardier-built Class 701s, with Southeastern taking all 30 units to deliver capacity enhancements on its suburban network. With service levels reduced due to the pandemic, 707003-06 have been released from South Western to allow staff training to commence.

The night of January 8/9 saw 707003/04 run from Wimbledon to Grove Park via Waterloo before moving to Ashford Down Sidings on the 10th. Just six days later driver training commenced, with two return trips to Sevenoaks. Meanwhile, 707005/06 made the same journey to Grove Park via Waterloo overnight on January 15/16. Next to be released should be 707007/08 on April 3 and then 707009/10 on July 10 with the rest following by September.