SWR retains 12 Class 707s

South Western Railway is to retain 12 units from its Class 707 fleet until August. 

The Siemens trains were due to transfer to Southeastern alongside the 18 Class 707s that have already moved over, but SWR now says it has extended the lease on those remaining to improve capacity on suburban routes.

Before the reduction in passenger numbers caused by the outbreak of the Omicron variant of Coronavirus in late 2021, SWR’s fleet had been under increased pressure following delays to the introduction of its £1 billion Class 701 Arterio fleet.

Sixty ten-car and 30 five-car units had been due to start carrying passengers in December 2019, but so far none have been accepted from Alstom and there is no target date for when they will be ready (RAIL 948).

To read the full story, see RAIL 949.