British Rail Class 701 Arterio Fleet
UK (South Western Railway network; London Waterloo, Windsor, Reading, South West London suburban lines) · 2017 (order), 2019–2024 (built), 2024 (first service) · £895 million (for 90 units, 2017 prices)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe decision to order new trains was driven by the South Western franchise commitment and the fact that buying new was cheaper than leasing existing trains. - The extensive delays and issues highlight the complexities of introducing new, technologically advanced rolling stock and the importance of robust software development and testing. - The ongoing discussions and agreements with unions regarding driver-only operation and guard responsibilities underscore the social and operational challenges in modernizing rail services. - The use of bioreactor CETs represents an innovative approach to waste management, aiming for longer service intervals.
Key engineering challenges
Significant delays in introduction due to "endemic software issues" affecting Aventra fleets. - Complaints from driver's union (ASLEF) regarding cab environment differing from agreed standards. - High level of manufacturing defects in finished vehicles. - Challenges with driver-only operation (DOO) and platform visibility, leading to union rejections and planned station modifications. - Integration of bioreactor Controlled Emission Toilets (CETs) for the first time in Britain.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- South Western Railway (SWR)
- Lead contractor
- Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom)
- Lead designers
- Bombardier Transportation (Aventra platform)
- Project type
- new build; vehicle/fleet programme
- Scale
- 90 units (60 x 10-car Class 701/0, 30 x 5-car Class 701/5); Max speed: 100 mph (160 km/h); Power output: 4000kW (10-car), 2000kW (5-car); Capacity: 556 seats + 746 standees (10-car), 274 seats + 361 standees (5-car)
- Disciplines
- Mechanical; Electrical; Systems; Software
- Standards & frameworks
- UK railway standards; The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011
Sources: British Rail Class 701 - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_701) - South Western Railway: Arterio (https://www.southwesternrailway.com/travelling-with-us/our-trains/arterio) - Modern Railways: Class 701 introduction delayed again (https://www.modernrailways.com/article/class-701-introduction-delayed-again) - Rail Magazine: SWR's Arterios: are they worth the wait? (https://www.railmagazine.com/features-1/swr-s-arterios-are-they-worth-the-wait)