Train test: are SWR’s Arterios worth the wait?

The entry into traffic for South Western Railway’s Class 701s has been a painfully drawn-out affair, but now they are in traffic, Pip Dunn casts his critical eye over these new commuter trains.

In this article:

• The Class 701 trains, ordered by South Western Railway, took three and a half years from construction to passenger service due to cab design issues, software problems, and Network Rail’s caution.
• Designed for high-capacity commuter travel, the 701s feature 2+2 seating, minimal amenities, and rapid entry/exit doors but have firm seats and limited toilets.
• Despite delays, the trains offer smooth acceleration, good ride quality, and modern features, but the rail industry must address persistent delays in fleet rollouts.

The first Class 701 emerged from the Derby Litchurch Lane factory in June 2020, yet it was to be three and a half years before the first carried passengers.

Even by today’s standards of long lead times from construction to entry into traffic, that is extreme.

The trains are a 750V DC third rail variant of the Bombardier Aventra platform, which South Western Railway has named Arterio. They were seen as the replacement for the Class 442s, ‘455s’, ‘456s’, ‘458s’ and ‘707’ fleets. It was a massive order - 60 ten-car sets and 30 five-car sets (so 750 vehicles across the 90 units).

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