Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen In March 2017, South Western Railway (SWR) was awarded the South Western franchise, which included a commitment to introduce 750 new carriages.

Following this, in June 2017, SWR contracted Bombardier Transportation for the delivery of 90x Aventra DC electric multiple units (EMUs), comprising 60x ten-car and 30x five-car trains, with an introduction timeline set for mid-2019 at a total cost of £895 million. The contract also included an option to purchase an additional 5x ten-car units if necessary by October 2020.

The primary purpose of these new trains is to replace the existing suburban fleets of SWR, which at the time included Class 455, Class 456, Class 458 and Class 707. Financially, purchasing a new fleet was determined to be more economical than leasing existing trains.

The original rollout plan anticipated that the entire Class 701 fleet would be operational within two years after the first units entered service. The introduction of these new trains is expected to enhance peak capacity on suburban routes to London Waterloo by 46%, and will also feature several improvements over the current suburban trains, including air-conditioning, an open gangway design, and onboard toilets. Initially, the order was categorized into two separate classes, with five-car units assigned to Class 705 and ten-car units to Class 711. However, this classification was later revised, designating the ten-car units to Class 701 subclass /0 and the five-car units to subclass /5. / Quellen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_701

Die erste von Bombardier’s neuen £895 Millionen Aventra Klasse 701 Flotte für South Western Railway wurde in Derby Litchurch Lane vorgestellt.

Die elektrischen Triebzüge sind vertraglich verpflichtet, ab dem nächsten Monat Passagiere zu befördern; jedoch wurde die erste ‘701’ noch nicht zur Prüfung geliefert. Angesichts der erforderlichen Tausenden von Testkilometern und der hunderten von Fahrern, die geschult werden müssen, wird der Einstieg in den Betrieb auf Mitte 2020 verschoben.

Die Züge werden im SWR Vorortnetz von Waterloo über Südwest-London nach Guildford sowie auf den Linien Reading und Windsor in Berkshire verkehren.

90 Züge, bestehend aus 750 Fahrzeugen (60 Zehn-Wagen- und 30 Fünf-Wagen-Einheiten), sollen in den folgenden zwölf Monaten fertiggestellt werden, anstelle des ursprünglich vorgesehenen Programms von siebzehn Monaten.  

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen

The first of Bombardier’s new £895 million Aventra Class 701 fleet for South Western Railway is unveiled at Derby Litchurch Lane.

The electric multiple units are contracted to start carrying passengers from next month; however, the first ‘701’ has not yet been delivered for testing. With thousands of testing miles required and hundreds of drivers needing training, entry into service is postponed to mid-2020.

The trains will operate on SWR’s suburban network from Waterloo across southwest London to Guildford, and on the Reading and Windsor lines in Berkshire.

90x trains, comprising 750x vehicles (60 ten-car and 30 five-car units), are to be completed over the following twelve months, instead of the original seventeen months program. / Quellen: https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/south-western-railway-s-895-million-aventra-unveiled-but-entry-delayed-to-2020, https://railcolornews.com/2019/11/20/uk-expert-this-is-the-bombardier-aventra-for-south-western-railway/

Die erste Einheit der Serie wurde im Juni 2020 geliefert.

Nach der Lieferung gab South Western Railway während einer Veranstaltung im Depot Wimbledon am 24. August 2020 Arterio als Markennamen für die Flotte von 90 Klasse 701 elektrischen Triebzügen bekannt.

Der Geschäftsführer von SWR, Mark Hopwood, sagte, dass der Name Arterio die Bedeutung der Vorortbahn für die Hauptstadt und die Stellung von Waterloo als der verkehrsreichsten Station des Netzes widerspiegelt, wobei die Eisenbahnen "die Arterien sind, die es versorgen, und die Menschen zur Arbeit, zur Schule, zu Theatern, Restaurants und Bars und wieder nach Hause bringen".

Die erste Arterio wird voraussichtlich später im Jahr auf der Strecke Waterloo - Reading in Betrieb genommen und wird eine erhebliche Verbesserung gegenüber der aktuellen ex-British Rail Klasse 455 und Klasse 456 Vorortflotte bieten. Die Durchgangswagen werden über eine 2+2-Bestuhlung, WLAN, Ladepunkte an den Sitzen, Bildschirme mit aktuellen Serviceinformationen, Klimaanlage und spezielle Rollstuhlplätze verfügen. Sie werden zum ersten Mal vollständig barrierefreie Toiletten im gesamten SWR Vorortnetz bieten.  

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen

The first unit of the series is delivered in June 2020.

Following the delivery, during an event at Wimbledon depot on August 24th, 2020, South Western Railway has announced Arterio as its brand name for the fleet of 90x Class 701 electric multiple-units.

SWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said the the name Arterio reflects the importance of suburban rail services to the capital and Waterloo’s status as the network’s busiest station, with railways being "the arteries which feed it, taking people to work and school, to theatres, restaurants and bars and home again".

The first Arterio is expected to enter service on the Waterloo - Reading route later in the year, and will provide a significant improvement on the current ex-British Rail Class 455 and Class 456 suburban fleet. The walk-through coaches will feature 2+2 seating, wi-fi, at-seat charging points, screens showing real-time service information, air-conditioning and dedicated wheelchair spaces. They will provide fully-accessible toilets across the entire SWR suburban network for the first time. / Quellen: https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/south-western-railway-receives-first-class-701-bombardier-aventra-emu/, https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/arterio-brand-name-for-south-western-railway-class-701-fleet/57214.article

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen The vehicles from this series are now expected to enter service in 2023, three years later than originally planned.

These high-capacity Arterio trains were initially scheduled to perform passenger services in December 2019. The delay is attributed to the impact of Covid-19; however, reports indicate that technical faults may have contributed to this postponement. The Class 701 units face several challenges related to software issues that remain unresolved, as noted by BBC South transport correspondent Paul Clifton. Other identified problems include malfunctions with the door obstacle detectors that have hindered acceptance for driver training, difficulties with the coupling process, and resistance in the cab doors when attempting to open them.

Alstom representative Andrew Boyle states that South Western Railway (SWR) has accepted 26x out of the 90x Aventra trains, suggesting that the issues have been addressed to the operator’s satisfaction. The Department for Transport (DfT) confirms that "mainline driver training is scheduled to commence in the new year". Boyle further notes that "Alstom acquired the trains' previous manufacturer Bombardier at the beginning of 2021 after the project's due completion date. Since then, Alstom has also delivered the same model of train to other customers, including the Elizabeth Line, London Overground, and Greater Anglia, which are operating successfully." / Quellen: https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/south-westerns-ps1bn-fleet-go-live-passenger-services-2023

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen In October 2023, Alstom expects to complete the Aventra programme at the beginning of the 2024-25 financial year, having not achieved this during the first half of the 2023-24 financial year as previously announced. Delays in Aventra production at the former Bombardier plant in Derby negatively impact Alstom’s profitability in the first half of the 2023-24 financial year, contributing to a negative free cash flow of €1,12 billion. / Quellen: https://www.railjournal.com/financial/alstom-reports-drop-in-orders-in-first-half-of-2023-24-and-negative-outlook/

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen SWR states that by early December 2023, it has accepted 50x ten-car trains and 14x five-car trains from Alstom. The remaining 26x sets are in various phases of production and acceptance. Most of these trains are currently in storage, including locations at Long Marston, Eastleigh, and Marchwood. / Quellen: https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/2024/01/05/soft-launch-planned-for-delayed-arterios

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen On January 9th, 2024, the maiden Arterio trip was a first step in a 'phased roll-out' of the full 90 train fleet. SWR said it aims to introduce the remaining trains into passenger service within the next 12 to 18 months. For now, just one new train will run each day between London and Windsor, for four days as part of a trial. SWR are planning a phased service over the coming months.

Stuart Meek, SWR's chief operating officer, said: "We're very keen to get the full fleet into service as soon as possible, but we need to do that cautiously. It’s a really important step on the journey towards full fleet introduction of the 90 trains of the Arterio fleet, but it’s a really important step as well because as we learn from today the experience of putting this train into passenger service, we can learn the lessons and get the rest of the fleet in service as soon as possible."

Claire Mann, managing director of South Western Railway said: "Talking to customers on the train and they absolutely love it. It is a beautiful train. It’s an amazing moment for all of us here at South Western Railway as we see our first train in service." / Quellen: https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/2024/01/05/soft-launch-planned-for-delayed-arterios, https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/south-westerns-arterio-trains-finally-enter-service

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen Alstom reports that all Aventra units from the current order book are delivered to customers¹.


¹ The last delivered unit from the current order book, Class 720 unit 720141 for Greater Anglia, left the factory on March 21st, 2024. With HS2 rolling stock deliveries delayed until mid-2026, Alstom warned of a 27-month production gap as early as May 2023. Since then, ten months of negotiations with Transport Secretary Mark Harper over short-term follow-on orders have yielded no clear outcome.

As a result, Alstom is shutting down production at Derby Litchurch Lane after 148 years. The factory houses over 500 design engineers—the only UK-based train design team among major manufacturers. A prolonged shutdown threatens this expertise, making the UK the only G7 nation unable to design and build trains.

However, three months later, in June 2024, the company receives a €430m (£370m) lifeline: a contract for 10x new nine-car Class 345 Aventra trains for Transport for London’s Elizabeth line, with maintenance secured until 2046—just enough to keep production alive. / Quellen: https://www.railmagazine.com/news/2024/04/16/alstom-begins-redundancy-talks-as-derby-could-close-after-150-years, https://www.railmagazine.com/news/2024/06/17/alstom-and-dft-signs-deal-for-vital-aventra-order

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen By October 2024, only two of the new trains operate from London Waterloo, with the other units currently stored in depots across the UK.

The extensive production and software issues, alongside the challenges posed by Covid and industry recovery, were not the only ones to contribute to the delays. The drivers' union Aslef raised concerns that wipers obstruct drivers' views, despite the Arterio trains featuring some of the largest windscreens of any UK train. Union reps raised objections claiming they were so big that they blocked drivers' views of the trackside signals used to tell trains when to stop and go. According to SWR sources, Aslef reportedly dropped its objections to the trains in exchange for a 15% pay rise negotiated with Louise Haigh, the Transport Secretary, earlier in 2024.

Acknowledging the flaws of the "major and complex project", SWR aims to activate 10x of the new trains within the next four months, pending further training for its drivers. It is estimated SWR will need to train 769 main line drivers on the Arterios with the training programme taking eight days for each driver. / Quellen: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13917839/New-trains-sitting-storage-trade-union-row.html, https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/2024/01/05/soft-launch-planned-for-delayed-arterios

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen SWR organizes an event for the official launch of the Aventra fleet.

5x Arterios are already in service, serving the routes to Windsor & Eton Riverside and Shepperton, calling at some of SWR’s busiest stations including Earlsfield, Kingston, Richmond, Twickenham and Wimbledon.

Other units will rollout in the coming months. In the next six months, Stuart Meek, Interim Managing Director for South Western Railway, expects the Arterios fleet will call at 74 stations, operating 80 peak services every weekday, with customers along new routes including Dorking, Epsom, Guildford, Hampton Court and Reading able to enjoy extra capacity and comfort. / Quellen: https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2024/11/south-western-railway-celebrates-rollout-aventra-fleet-uk, https://railway-news.com/uk-south-western-railway-launches-aventra-fleet/

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen The rollout of the Arterio trains by SWR is experiencing delays beyond initial expectations. The introduction of these new trains coincides with the implementation of a new operational method, where drivers are tasked with opening and closing the doors (DODC operations). To facilitate this, drivers depend on effective CCTV cameras and in-cab displays that extend the length of the 10-car train to determine when it is safe to depart. A significant challenge arises from the fact that many of the 98 stations slated to be served by the Arterio were constructed over 150 years ago, complicating the integration of the new trains with older platform designs. Extensive works and testing have been conducted at these stations under various lighting conditions to ensure that drivers can obtain a clear image necessary for safe train operation.

In light of the ongoing station modifications, SWR has opted to revise its training program to expedite the entry of Arterio trains into customer service. This revised approach involves training Drivers and Guards to operate the trains under a system where the Driver will open the doors and the Guards will close them (DOGC operations). This adjustment allows for the operation on new routes sooner while keeping the commitment to return to full DODC operations as soon as it is feasible. With the shortened training program now in progress, an accelerated introduction of the Arterios is anticipated, with more units expected to enter service as the summer approaches. Despite the frustrations associated with the delays, SWR has established a path forward that promises to enhance customer capacity and comfort with the Arterios throughout 2025 and beyond. / Quellen: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/other/news-and-media/news/2025/april/statement-on-arterio-fleet-rollout

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen 8 additional Arterio trains are reported to have been launched in the past two months, bringing the total in operation to 14 across over 160 weekday services. / Quellen: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/swr-train-london-waterloo-arterio-b2794693.html

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen 20 Arterio trains are reported to be in service, regularly operating a total of 249 services every weekday. / Quellen: https://x.com/SW_Help/status/1962488752426614854

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen Alstom signs a four-and-a-half-year Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA) with South Western Railway (SWR) to enhance the operation and performance of the new Class 701 Arterio trains. Valued at £66 million (€76 million), this contract ensures round-the-clock technical support for the entire fleet of Aventra vehicles operating on suburban routes originating from London Waterloo. Steve Harvey, Services Director for the UK and Ireland at Alstom, remarks that this agreement signifies a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership with South Western Railway, highlighting Alstom's commitment to providing technical expertise and predictive maintenance capabilities for the Arterio fleet. / Quellen: https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2025/11/alstom-signs-ps66-million-services-contract-support-swr-arterio-fleet?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Automatische Übersetzung. Originaltext in: EN - Original anzeigen 31 to 32 Arterio trains are reported to be in regular service. / Quellen: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/701-operation.279842/page-5