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British Rail Class 701

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British Rail Class 701
Arterio
Class 701 at Egham in 2020
Interior of a Class 701
In service9 January 2024 - present[1]
Manufacturer
Built atDerby Litchurch Lane Works
Family nameAventra
Replaced
Constructed2019–2024
Number built90[3]
Formation
  • 10 cars per 701/0 unit
  • 5 cars per 701/5 unit
(See § Fleet details)
Fleet numbers
  • 701/0: 701001–701060
  • 701/5: 701501–701530
Capacity
  • 701/0: 556 seats
  •  plus 746 standees
  • 701/5: 274 seats
  •  plus 361 standees[4]
OperatorsSouth Western Railway
Depots
[5]
Lines served
Specifications
DoorsDouble-leaf sliding plug (2 per side per car)
Maximum speed100 mph (160 km/h)
Traction systemBombardier IGBT Inverter [6]
Traction motors
  • 701/0: 16x 250kW (335hp)
  • 701/5: 8x 250kW (335hp)
[7]
Power output
  • 701/0: 4000kW (5364hp)
  • 701/5: 2000kW (2682hp)
[7]
AccelerationMaximum Current:
Starting: 0.96 m/s2 (3.1 ft/s2)
Reduced Current:
Starting: 0.7 m/s2 (2.3 ft/s2) [4]
Deceleration0.9 m/s2 (3.0 ft/s2)
Electric system(s)750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
BogiesFlexx B5000[6]
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (disc) and rheostatic/regenerative[4]
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemDellner
Multiple workingWithin subclass /5 only[10][11]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 701 Arterio is a class of electric multiple unit passenger train built by Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) at Derby Litchurch Lane Works. Built on the Aventra platform, they are operated by South Western Railway, and operate some services between Waterloo and Windsor. In the future the trains are planned to operate services on the Reading, Windsor and South West London suburban lines.

Ordered in 2017, the trains were originally due to enter service from mid-2019, but were subject to several delays which prevented this.[12] By December 2023, 50 units had been accepted by SWR.[13]

SWR began their phased entry into service from January 2024.[1][14] They will eventually allow the withdrawal of SWR's fleets of Class 455 units and the cascade of the Class 458 fleet to longer-distance services.

History

[edit]
An unbranded 701/5 at Velim railway test circuit in March 2020

Background

[edit]

In March 2017, SWR was awarded the South Western franchise with a commitment to introduce 750 new carriages.[15][16][17][18] In June 2017, SWR awarded a contract to Bombardier Transportation for 90 Aventra DC EMUs, with 60 ten-car and 30 five-car trains to be introduced from mid 2019 at a cost of £895 million.[19][20] There was an option to purchase a further five ten-car units if required by October 2020.[21] The units will be maintained at Wimbledon depot and the new Feltham depot.

It was planned that the new trains would replace all of SWR's suburban fleets, which at the time of the order comprised Classes 455, 456, 458, and 707.[19][22] At the time that the trains were ordered, buying a fleet of new trains was cheaper than the leasing rates for existing trains.[23] Original plans called for the rollout of the full Class 701 fleet to take two years after the first units entered service.[24]

The new trains would increase peak capacity on suburban routes into London Waterloo by 46%, as well as including improvements over existing suburban trains such as air-conditioning, an open gangway design and toilets.[25]

The order was initially split into two separate classes, with five-car units placed in Class 705 and ten-car units placed in Class 711,[26] but this was later changed to place ten-car units in Class 701 subclass /0 and five-car units in subclass /5.[4]

Construction and delays

[edit]

Following a brief halt to production in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,[27] the first completed ten-car unit (number 701002) was delivered to Eastleigh Works on 10 June 2020 so that the testing and certification processes could commence.[28] At this point entry into service was already more than five months late.[29] By June 2021, only 19 units had been delivered, none of which had been formally accepted by SWR.[28][30]

In January 2022, SWR announced that continued delays to the Class 701 introduction had "created a challenging situation" on its suburban network, and that it was still waiting for Alstom (which acquired Bombardier Transportation in January 2021) to "supply a train that performs to specification". This caused SWR to extend the lease on its remaining 12 Class 707 units until late 2022, which in turn delayed their planned transfer to Southeastern.[31] The Class 456 fleet was withdrawn without replacement in January 2022 following cuts to service levels.[32]

In January 2022, Railway industry journalist Roger Ford observed that the programme met the "ultimate standard for lateness", given that none of the finished units had yet been accepted by SWR and at least 280 vehicles had not yet even been built—while the original contract specified that the entire fleet was to be in service by the end of 2021.[30] He noted that the delay was, in part, due to "endemic software issues" that had affected the introduction of all Aventra fleets to date.[30] Other issues include complaints from driver's union ASLEF that the cab environment in the production units differs unacceptably from the standard previously agreed with SWR, and a high level of manufacturing defects in the finished vehicles.[33][34]

SWR's Business Plan for 2022–2023, published in July 2022, acknowledged that "continuing problems ... have prevented the start of driver training and delayed the programme of train acceptance", and included a commitment to "introduce the new Arterio fleet as soon as possible". This will involve SWR agreeing on new roll-out milestones for the project with the Department for Transport.[34][35]

SWR-branded Class 701/0 approaching Clapham Junction

A further update in December 2022 stated that 24 finished units had been accepted, as well as repeating the commitment to introduce the fleet into service "as early in [2023] as possible". A concurrent statement from the Department for Transport indicated that work to finalise a service-standard software package for the trains was still underway and that driver training had not yet commenced.[36]

In May 2023 it was announced that entry into service was planned for December 2023.[37] In June 2023 it was reported that 42 finished units had been accepted and that training for depot drivers had begun,[38] and in July it was confirmed that they were planned to be introduced in 2023.[12] In December 2023 it was reported that 50 finished units had been accepted and that training for mainline driver was being prepared.[13][39]

In December 2023 the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) published an update to members advising that they recommended SWR suspend any plans for entry into service or training until "several key areas" are amended to make them suitable for the union and its members.[40] RMT formally rejected the updates to the role of the guard and implementation of driver-only operation on the new rolling stock.[40]

Entry into service

[edit]

In late December 2023, it was reported that SWR had reached an agreement with the unions allowing for a "Soft Launch" of the Class 701 fleet.[41] The first unit entered service on 9 January 2024 between London Waterloo and Windsor & Eton Riverside.[1][14] Since then 2-3 services have run each day using some of the trains, mostly between London Waterloo and Windsor & Eton Riverside. Full entry into service is expected to take 24 months.[42]

In February 2024, it was reported that 71 units had been accepted, and that the entire fleet is planned to be in service in 2025 following the completion of driver training.[43] However, by April 2024 it was further reported that the number of accepted units had dropped to 70, although construction of the fleet of 90 had been completed..[3]

On 30 September 2024, the Class 701 began revenue service on the Shepperton Branch Line.[44]

Features

[edit]

The Class 701 features regenerative braking, wide gangways between coaches, wide doors for ease and efficiency of boarding and alighting, 2+2 seating arrangement throughout, Wi-Fi, at-seat USB charging points, real-time passenger information screens, air conditioning, and bicycle spaces (three for each five coaches).

The trains also have Universal Accessible Toilets (UATs) - one toilet in each five coaches, and for the first time in Britain, they are bioreactor Controlled Emission Toilets (CETs), rather than the "conventional" CETs of other British trains. By releasing onboard-treated wastewater, the waste tanks last longer before being emptied. [2][25]

Each five-car train has 274 seats with room for 361 standing passengers, while a ten-car set will seat 556 passengers with space for 746 standing.[25] The trains also feature external door cameras, and monitors within the cab, to allow for driver-controlled operation (where the driver is responsible for the opening and closing of passenger doors).[45]

Fleet details

[edit]
Subclass Operator Qty. Year built Cars per unit Unit nos. Formation
701/0 South Western Railway 60 2019–pres. 10 701001–701060 DM-(P)M-TLW-M-EM-EM-M-TLW-(P)M-DM[10]
701/5 30 5 701501–701530 DM-M-TLW-(P)M-DM[10]

Illustration

[edit]
Illustration of South Western Railway Class 701/5 unit

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 701.
  1. ^ a b c @SW_Help (9 January 2024). "Lots of excitement today as our first customers got to experience our fabulous new Arterio trains" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b "Arterio Our new fleet to transform suburban travel". South Western Railway. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Pritchard, Robert (May 2024). "SWR timetabling and fleet update". Today's Railways UK. No. 267. pp. 40–42.
  4. ^ a b c d e "SWR Unveils '701'". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. 24 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Soft launch introduction for SWR '701'". News Front. Modern Railways. No. 905. February 2024. pp. 8–9.
  6. ^ a b "Class 701". sremg.org.uk. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Class 701". sremg.org.uk. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  8. ^ "South Western Railway's first Class 701 delivered". Rail Business UK. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Selective Door Opening & Correct Side Door Enabling References" (PDF). Sella Controls. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Fletcher, Steve (1 October 2020). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended – Authorisation of Class 701/0 and 701/5" (PDF). Letter to Paul Carter (Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd). London: Office of Rail and Road. UK/51/2020/0054. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  11. ^ Fletcher, Steve (28 June 2021). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended – Authorisation of Cl 701/5 Aventra (DC & DV) upgrade for multiple unit operation" (PDF). Letter to Franco Cataldo (Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd t/a Alstom). London: Office of Rail and Road. UK/51/2021/0044. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  12. ^ a b Beilby, Luise (21 July 2023). "Consent to supplement the track usage price list (Class 701)" (PDF). orr.gov.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b Clifton, Paul (13 December 2023). "SWR plans a "soft launch" for much-delayed Arterios". Rail Magazine. No. 998. pp. 14–15.
  14. ^ a b "First of £1bn Arterio trains completes inaugural journey". BBC News. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  15. ^ "First, MTR beat Stagecoach to win South West Trains". Railnews. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  16. ^ "RMT slams 'crazy' First MTR decision to drop new £200m SWT trains". Rail Technology Magazine. Manchester: Cognitive Publishing. 31 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  17. ^ Clifton, Paul (30 March 2017). "New trains 'dumped' by South Western franchise winner". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  18. ^ Clinnick, Richard (6 September 2017). "Class 707s enter traffic with South Western Railway". Rail Magazine. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Bombardier to supply 750 EMU cars for South Western franchise". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media International. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  20. ^ "First, MTR unveil new trains for South Western". Wellingborough: Railnews. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  21. ^ "Option enables SWR to expand Class 701 fleet". Rail Business UK. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  22. ^ Clinnick, Richard (20 June 2017). "Bombardier wins South Western Aventra contract". Rail Magazine. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  23. ^ Clinnick, Richard (19 October 2017). "Old trains... new homes?". Rail Magazine. No. 836. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. Retrieved 1 February 2022. the reason they were ordered, simply, is that 'money is cheap'
  24. ^ "Arterio - Our new fleet to transform suburban travel". South Western Railway. London: First MTR South Western Trains. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  25. ^ a b c Briginshaw, David (11 June 2020). "South Western Railway receives first class 701 Bombardier Aventra EMU". International Railway Journal. Falmouth: Simmons-Boardman Publishing. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  26. ^ "South Western Franchise Agreement" (PDF). Department for Transport. 7 April 2017. p. 178. Specified Additional Rolling Stock ... Class 705 ... (5 car) ... Class 711 ... (10 car)
  27. ^ "Bombardier to resume some operations in UK". Reuters. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  28. ^ a b "SWR Class 701 Deliveries". Rail Record. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  29. ^ "South Western Railway's £895 million Aventra unveiled - but entry delayed to 2020". Rail Magazine. No. 893. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 11 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019.
  30. ^ a b c Ford, Roger (27 January 2022). "Operators face ongoing new train woes". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  31. ^ "SWR retains 12 Class 707 trains in boost to fleet availability". South Western Railway. London: First MTR South Western Trains. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  32. ^ "SWR withdraws '456s' following service cuts". Rail Magazine. No. 949. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 26 January 2022. pp. 10–11.
  33. ^ Clifton, Paul (3 November 2021). "Rolling stock concerns as '701s' "not fit for purpose"". Rail Magazine. No. 943. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. p. 21.
  34. ^ a b "SWR to agree fresh milestones for Class 701 EMU introduction". Rail Business UK. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  35. ^ South Western Railway (18 July 2022). South Western Railway 2022/23 Business Plan (PDF). London: First MTR South Western Trains. p. 7. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  36. ^ "First of £1bn trains to run in 2023, South Western Railway says". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  37. ^ Pickering, Graeme (May 2023). "December start date for SWR 'Arterios'". Track Record. The Railway Magazine. No. 1466. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 90. ISSN 0033-8923.
  38. ^ "Depot drivers trained on SWR '701s'". Modern Railways. No. 898. July 2023. p. 88.
  39. ^ "Optimism on Aventra debuts". Modern Railways. No. 901. October 2023. p. 86.
  40. ^ a b "Role of the Guard & Extension of DOO – South Western Railway". RMT. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  41. ^ "'701' Arterios set for SWR debut". Moving Wheels. Modern Railways. No. 904. January 2024. p. 87.
  42. ^ "Arterio | Our Trains | South Western Railway". Southwestern Railway. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  43. ^ "DfT remains tight-lipped on the cost of Arterio delay". Network News. Rail Magazine. No. 1003. 21 February 2024. p. 13.
  44. ^ "x.com".
  45. ^ Holden, Michael; Thompson, Doug; Glasscock, Jan (August 2018). South Western Railway Performance Review (PDF). Woking: Coledale Consulting. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
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