Temporary New Trains

South West Trains 707005+707003 arrives at Brentford to take its first passengers, ever.
(© Aubrey)

After many months of problematic testing (brake and software issues, mainly), delayed dates and standing at Clapham Yard for what seemed like a permanent fixture, the Class 707 finally entered service just a few days before the end of South West Trains altogether. On the 17th August 2017, 707005 and 707003 formed a consist which ran some test runs, but now in service...albeit for one day. Just as a token service in order for SWT to say they entered the Class 707 into service.

The service diagrams that the consist ran were as follows (actual times used):
2Z31 0928 Brentford-Reading
2Z32 1051 Reading-Staines
2Z33 1200 Staines-Reading
2Z34 1252 Reading-Staines
2Z35 1427 Staines-Reading
2Z37 1523 Reading-Staines
1Z38 1631 Staines-Weybridge


This service ran from Brentford to Reading, non-stop between Hounslow and Ascot.
(© Aubrey)

The Class 707s are designed to replace the Class 458/5s in suburban moves between Waterloo and Windsor/Hounslow Loop. As they are suburban trains, Stagecoach South West Trains ordered these trains with no toilets. As they were also a small order to replace just the Class 458/5s on certain routes, they would've only managed to alleviate some capacity issues in the short term.


The interior of 707005, showing the walk-through carriages
(© Aubrey)

The trains have a more airy feel as the carriages are walk-through. These are basically Class 700s, in red, with plug sockets and no toilets. However, toilets can be retrofitted on the trains.


Interior passenger information screens display the level of loading in each carriage. This is a different visual design to the Class 700s, and only shows the loadings of the specific unit the screen is in.
(© Aubrey)

The restriction of the screen showing only the specific unit means that passengers are unsure whether the other half of the train is loaded worse or better than the part they are in. This may mean people moving to the other units only to find out they can't get back if they are not shown or told that the other half of the train still has some space. However, it could be deemed unnecessary to show how the other unit is doing for loadings, as it is not directly connected by a corridor.


The Class 707s also have Transport for London network service updates...which at the time only partly worked at the time as some lines had delays throughout the day! It also orders everything alphabetically, whilst on the 700s, they are ordered firstly by tube lines, then other services
(© Aubrey)


They also have a network update for the wider South West Trains network. Unfortunately on the first day of service, none of the information was working at all. Under subsequent introduction by South Western Railway, the trains have had the screens black for network service updates.
(© Aubrey)


As some stations on the network have short platforms for 8 cars, instead of 10 cars, notably different orange displays are shown at stations where the train doors do not open. Announcements also are linked to this. However, on the first day of SWR service, the announcements were being played throughout the train for short platforms, where the doors for the specific coach will not open, even though they will at a certain station.
(© Aubrey)


For one, sole August day, the trains were operating for South West Trains, this was displayed, at most stations.
(© Aubrey)


For all subsequent days, from first service under SWR, the 5th September, the Class 707s had different logos and different colour scheme for the displays.
(© Aubrey)


The displays also show the time, and as with the old announcements, show where to change for certain destinations. However, the announcements are not as "polite", telling people to "get off for" instead of "alight" or "change" at stations. Also shown is the new colour scheme used by South Western Railway.
(© Aubrey)

The announcements are a text-to-speech programme by Acapela Group, instead of announcements by a voice actor/actress. This has created a more flexible range of announcements possible.


South West Trains 707003 at Reading, with 458535 already on a Reading service.
(© Aubrey)

The Class 707s are being introduced in order to replace Class 458/5s on London Waterloo to Hounslow Loop, Weybridge via Hounslow and Windsor & Eton Riverside services. These Class 458/5s (except 458531-458536) will replace Class 450s on Reading services, thus allowing the service to run an (eventually) 4 trains per hour service to Reading with these units.


Most of the first day services involved a reverse at Staines, and a stable in the sidings there. Coming out of the sidings for another service is 707005 leading 707003, seen at Staines.
(© Aubrey)

After 165 miles and 43 chains of riding these trains that were the future of South West Trains, I (Aubrey) can say that these trains just feel like red 700s. The train was very clean (of course), with a "new" smell. The interior was airy and very bright with lights. This would, of course, may be an issue at night if the lights were too bright and heavily contrasts with the night (as seen on 700s already). Comfort may be an issue when compared to Class 458/5s, however, the Class 707 shows that the nature of modern suburban units is more about capacity and less about comfort. Thus, "ironing board" seats are specified, as they are lighter than some other types of seats.


At the end of the first successful day of passenger service, 707003 is at the rear of the ECS move back to Wimbledon Traincare Depot.
(© Aubrey)

The ONLY day of service with South West Trains with these trains was a success, with only minor delays caused by traffic. The train service ran smoothly over the first day of service, and thus was fault free. Staff were pessimistic over when Class 701s are to replace the Class 707s. It is seemingly odd that SWR are to actually replace these Class 707s only in 2019. It however makes economic sense, as a common fleet of Class 701s for suburban services creates easier maintenance and has lower lease costs.
Notably, South West Trains were actually going to do that nearly 15 years ago with yet another problematic set of trains as well....the Class 458.


On 5th September 2017, the sets of 707006 and 707004 entered service with South Western Railway. And promptly broke down within the evening peak, after this journey ran to London Waterloo!
(© Aubrey)

These units may still be problematic, but it was never as bad as the Class 458s. These rolling stock may be good short-term relief for services on the Windsor lines. These units will also run in peak hours on the other suburban services. For the future of these units once they are replaced by Class 701s, this is uncertain. However, as 707001 and 707002 are fitted with dual-voltage capabilities and have pantographs, these trains can have a future whether it be in the Southern Region or not.

Au