South Western Railway Rolls Out First Class 701 Train at Wimbledon Depot
£1 Billion Upgrade Hits Wimbledon
South Western Railway (SWR) has hit a major milestone in its £1 billion suburban rail makeover, as the first Class 701 train arrives at Wimbledon depot. This sleek 10-car train, dubbed ‘Train 6,’ marks the start of a new era in faster, more reliable travel for passengers.
Training Wheels On for Next-Gen Trains
‘Train 6’ is the star of intensive training programmes and cutting-edge dynamic testing at Wimbledon. Drivers, engineers, and maintenance crews are already sharpening their skills, gearing up for when the full fleet rolls out later this year.
Wimbledon is set to become the maintenance hub for all 90 new Class 701 trains, cementing its role at the forefront of SWR’s transformative journey.
Engineering Boss: “A Generational Step-Change”
Neil Drury, SWR’s Engineering Director, said: “We’re delighted Wimbledon depot has received its first Class 701 train. This is a significant step forward in our programme.
Train 6 lets us prepare our drivers and staff for a generational step-change in service performance. It also ensures the key features that will define passenger experience are flawless before these trains hit the tracks.”
With 90 new trains on the horizon, SWR is promising commuters a faster, smoother ride, making suburban travel smarter and more comfortable than ever before.
