Testing begins on first Class 707s for SWT

TRAIN builder Siemens has begun testing the first Class 707 EMUs at the test track in Wildenrath, Germany.

Thirty five-car sets are being built for use by South West Trains on the route from Waterloo to Windsor, allowing Class 458/5s to concentrate on the Reading line and thus freeing up Class 450s to strengthen services elsewhere on the network.

The £210 million order was placed in September 2014, with deliveries to SWT’s Wimbledon depot scheduled to begin later this autumn with a target date of next spring for entry into service.

The trains feature open gangways with more space for standing. They will also have free wi-fi and real-time London Underground service updates.