SWR Metro fleet permanent withdrawals

[Bikeman78]

Never really got to the bottom of why they did it, apart from a seemingly spurious claim that it improved passenger security.

That was the official line at the time. All four cars as well. How times have changed.

 

[Goldfish62]

That was the official line at the time. All four cars as well. How times have changed.

Yes, needed to be four cars due to various short platforms. The first working in the evening, 2020 from Waterloo was always absolutely wedged!

 

[Bikeman78]

Yes, needed to be four cars due to various short platforms. The first working in the evening, 2020 from Waterloo was always absolutely wedged!

Oh yes, the likes of Earley were only four cars. What fun. I seem to recall a backlash about the lack of toilets. Evidently the experiment wasn't a great success because the VEPs were back after a few years.

 

[Goldfish62]

Oh yes, the likes of Earley were only four cars. What fun. I seem to recall a backlash about the lack of toilets. Evidently the experiment wasn't a great success because the VEPs were back after a few years.

And 25 years later SWR are reintroducing 455s on the line, including weekday all day services. But at least most are 8 cars this time round.

 

[Class93]

Soon hopefully they are an absolute delight on SE.

Historians will look back and say why didn't the railway industry didn't just buy a couple of hundred of these to cover all inner suburban duties rather than the fiasco that has now be felled SW.

Massively expensive on the contract with SWR, bought totally off the hoof, no toilets, not to specification for standing when it was reassessed, a micro fleet that wouldn’t work with GWR suburban, nor Southern (possibly a few routes but not enough to take over the 377 run routes - at the time when 455s were the mainstay of suburban ops).

Personal opinion but I think they’re pretty poor trains, badly designed to fit what was perceived to be needed at the time. Some excellent features such as the cab for drivers and the PIS, but not the right train. If they last at SE with a new metro fleet I’d be suprised.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Massively expensive on the contract with SWR, bought totally off the hoof, no toilets, not to specification for standing when it was reassessed, a micro fleet that wouldn’t work with GWR suburban, nor Southern (possibly a few routes but not enough to take over the 377 run routes - at the time when 455s were the mainstay of suburban ops).

Personal opinion but I think they’re pretty poor trains, badly designed to fit what was perceived to be needed at the time. Some excellent features such as the cab for drivers and the PIS, but not the right train. If they last at SE with a new metro fleet I’d be suprised.

Like the 700s there people movers and ideal for the constraints the industry now has to contend with on less vehicles miles being allowed by DafT.

 

[Class93]

Like the 700s there people movers and ideal for the constraints the industry now has to contend with on less vehicles miles being allowed by DafT.

I agree the 700s are lovely but they aren’t much like the 707s.

 

[GW43125]

Noticing the usual pair of 707s aren't out today-off to southeastern or just disgraced after failing yesterday?

 

[WarrenTManager]

One is stopped investigating and rectifying the fault from yesterday. 8.455 out instead.

 

[SEtrains]

When are the 707s transferring to SE?
I assume that further 701 delays have postponed this.

 

[Snow1964]

When are the 707s transferring to SE?
I assume that further 701 delays have postponed this.

I think it was stated around 26th April, but that was few weeks ago, so might be out of date. At the time was based on SE having all 30 ahead of timetable change. Possibly all changed, but retaining 2 units cannot be cost effective as many staff will lapse on type soon.

I am guessing SWR could put some effort into putting the 4car 458s into service on the 5car 458 routes if it considered it urgent

 

[gabrielhj07]

I am guessing SWR could put some effort into putting the 4car 458s into service on the 5car 458 routes if it considered it urgent

I think SWR considering anything urgent is a fairly long shot

 

[Defiance149]

A DTS from 5721 was seen northbound on the M1 at Watford Gap this morning, presumably off for repair (Kilmarnock?) rather than store/scrap?

 

[Siemens Staines]

A DTS from 5721 was seen northbound on the M1 at Watford Gap this morning, presumably off for repair (Kilmarnock?) rather than store/scrap?

5721 was still in passenger service as recently as Sunday 07/04

455724 + 455721
2D75 2332 London Waterloo to Epsom

Realtime Trains | 2D75 2332 London Waterloo to Epsom | 07/04/2024

Real-time train running information for 2D75 2332 departure from London Waterloo to Epsom on 07/04/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5Y67 0015 Epsom to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs

Realtime Trains | 5Y67 0015 Epsom to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs | 08/04/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Y67 0015 departure from Epsom to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs on 08/04/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Do we know what the status on TOPS is of 455 721?

That may give a clue as to whether it's a repair job or anything else...

 

[WarrenTManager]

A DTS from 5721 was seen northbound on the M1 at Watford Gap this morning, presumably off for repair (Kilmarnock?) rather than store/scrap?

It’s going to Brodies for some welding.

 

[swr444]

Sounds like the pair of 707s will be staying past September

 

[RealTrains07]

Sounds like the pair of 707s will be staying past September

Which is odd considering SWR could just replace them with 2 458/4s

Makes you wonder why they dont

 

[XCTurbostar]

It’s going to Brodies for some welding.

Great to see Brodie Engineering making money out of units that will literally be sent for scrap in less than a year!

 

[Goldfish62]

Great to see Brodie Engineering making money out of units that will literally be sent for scrap in less than a year!

You're optimistic assuming that they'll be withdrawn within a year!

 

[43096]

Which is odd considering SWR could just replace them with 2 458/4s

Makes you wonder why they dont

Can do without any more 10 to 8 formation reductions.

 

[TEW]

Rare chance to get 707s off their usual diagram this week. They are covering the 0850 Waterloo to Woking and 1003 return due to the ASLEF action.

The diagram will change from June too. Will stay on Guildford via Epsom/ Hampton Court all day rather than Shepperton in the afternoon and evening.

 

[WarrenTManager]

Rare chance to get 707s off their usual diagram this week. They are covering the 0850 Waterloo to Woking and 1003 return due to the ASLEF action.

The diagram will change from June too. Will stay on Guildford via Epsom/ Hampton Court all day rather than Shepperton in the afternoon and evening.

need options for going home train when it gets hot. 458s at 1510 is a touch too early!

 

[TEW]

need options for going home train when it gets hot. 458s at 1510 is a touch too early!

The 458s are gone from Epsom/ Hampton Court from June too.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

The 458s are gone from Epsom/ Hampton Court from June too.

Will there be any more 450 diagrams down to Guildford from June (aside from 2D50 and 2D51)? Or will it be solely 455s and 707s?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Will there be any more 450 diagrams down to Guildford from June (aside from 2D50 and 2D51)? Or will it be solely 455s and 707s?

A staggering amount in through Platforms 4 and 5

 

[TEW]

Will there be any more 450 diagrams down to Guildford from June (aside from 2D50 and 2D51)? Or will it be solely 455s and 707s?

Even the current 450 diagram becomes 455. Just 455s bar the single 707 diagram.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

A staggering amount in through Platforms 4 and 5

Haha, yes - I realise I could've been clearer with what I wrote, although in the context of what I quoted I hope it'd be understood!

Even the current 450 diagram becomes 455. Just 455s bar the single 707 diagram.

Thanks, that's a shame. 2D50 and 2D51 seem to be the only saving grace in the warm weather. Looks like no more air-conditioning on Guildford stoppers for the foreseeable. 455s are torturous to work in the heat(!)