SWR Metro fleet permanent withdrawals

[Goldfish62]

It is permanent, another 8-455 will be joining the reading diagrams in February....

Arrrggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

 

[TEW]

It is permanent, another 8-455 will be joining the reading diagrams in February....

More than just one, in the LTP diagrams anyway. Some may remain as other traction on an STP basis. 4 of the 7 diagrams are booked 8-455 on paper on Weekdays from February though.

 

[Goldfish62]

More than just one, in the LTP diagrams anyway. Some may remain as other traction on an STP basis. 4 of the 7 diagrams are booked 8-455 on paper on Weekdays from February though.

So the remaining two 458 diagrams plus one 450 diagram I presume.

 

[TEW]

So the remaining two 458 diagrams plus one 450 diagram I presume.

One 458 and two 450 diagrams off peak. With an extra 458 diagram in the morning and evening peaks.

 

[Goldfish62]

One 458 and two 450 diagrams off peak. With an extra 458 diagram in the morning and evening peaks.

Thanks. So a fair bit of swapping around.

 

[nctd2306]

I never thought I'd be seeing the majority of the Reading line operated by "the red trains!" I bet the Wokingham commuters will be well chuffed with that

On a slightly unrelated note, very possibly the last ever all blue Desiro set to operate the Reading line (or on SWR in general) has been formed...

 

[XCTurbostar]

Looks like 455868 is going into BR Blue livery!

 

[Robin Procter]

Looks like 455868 is going into BR Blue livery!

.... Is that livery like the Midland Pullman HST with white window strip surrounds? Very nice if it is.

 

[trainmania100]

Looks like 455868 is going into BR Blue livery!

Anyone know if this is the full unit or just the first coach? I know GN did something like this with their 313 it was just one vehicle

 

[ls2270]

Anyone know if this is the full unit or just the first coach? I know GN did something like this with their 313 it was just one vehicle

I believe it’s the full unit.

 

[DustyBin]

.... Is that livery like the Midland Pullman HST with white window strip surrounds? Very nice if it is.

No, it’s the livery they first entered service in (but the window surrounds are white(ish)).

 

[adc82140]

It would be nice to see one in NSE livery at some point (obviously with the door colour modifications needed to make them compliant for modern day use).

 

[Peter Mugridge]

No, it’s the livery they first entered service in (but the window surrounds are white(ish)).

Here's 455 868 itself back in the day... There is a very thin white stripe between the blue and the grey. That does appear to be present in the repaint when the picture is enlarged.

 

[Goldfish62]

Here's 455 868 itself back in the day... There is a very thin white stripe between the blue and the grey. That does appear to be present in the repaint when the picture is enlarged.

That white lining was part of the standard BR livery and was worn by all stock. It would look weird without it.

 

[nctd2306]

Some unfortunate Reading line passengers have had to cope with 4 car 455732 on its own today, including on the 7.39 Waterloo bound departure from Reading which a friend of mine catches (he said it was likely to have had to leave people behind after Bracknell, where he got off...)

 

[Siemens Staines]

Some unfortunate Reading line passengers have had to cope with 4 car 455732 on its own today, including on the 7.39 Waterloo bound departure from Reading which a friend of mine catches (he said it was likely to have had to leave people behind after Bracknell, where he got off...)

Indeed, and a single 455 will not help out GWR very much on the 1809 Reading - Waterloo

"Network Rail will close all 4 lines between Reading and London Paddington between 17:45-19:00 to affect removal of the tree and associated works, this will lead to disruption on all routes that operate between Reading and London Paddington.
Services from the West Country via Taunton/Westbury/Newbury and Reading, Bristol Temple Meads, South Wales, North Cotswolds route from Hereford /Worcester and Gloucester/Cheltenham Spa may be terminated at Reading and start back from there.
Last Updated:26/02/2024 17:27"

 

[swr444]

there was a 5 car on a windsor circuit today too, and a 4 car 455 on the morning 0645 sheppy via richmond (the 0615 was canned due to a fault too).

 

[73128]

The whole set into blue/grey was what the senior SWR speaker said to RCTS Maidenhead branch last night. With contrasting grey doors though. Likely to be one of the last in traffic.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I seem to recall 455 868 as being one of the units that had a special livery previously - one of the two that had a "poppy" livery wasn't it?

 

[nctd2306]

Same Reading diagram as yesterday short formed again today, at least today it's a single 458 rather than 455, would still bet on it having to leave some behind in the peaks though

 

[DelW]

I seem to recall 455 868 as being one of the units that had a special livery previously - one of the two that had a "poppy" livery wasn't it?

The picture in post 3552 of this thread may be relevant, though not poppy-related:

SWR Repaints and Refurbishments

As we reach the end of the 444/450 repaint programme, can I just thank all of you who have gone out of your way to keep us as up to date as possible with it all as it has been quite the process :D I second that. Thanks to all involved.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The picture in post 3552 of this thread may be relevant, though not poppy-related:

SWR Repaints and Refurbishments

As we reach the end of the 444/450 repaint programme, can I just thank all of you who have gone out of your way to keep us as up to date as possible with it all as it has been quite the process :D I second that. Thanks to all involved.

www.railforums.co.uk

Ah... the Hampton Court one... well.. I knew it had been something!! ( I'm at work; my Combined Volumes are at home... )

 

[73128]

5868 may be heading for Waterloo next week (March 4) at lunchtime

 

[Goldfish62]

Same Reading diagram as yesterday short formed again today, at least today it's a single 458 rather than 455, would still bet on it having to leave some behind in the peaks though

Today it's 10-458. Long may it last! This diagram was a longstanding 10-458 before it went over to 455s a couple of months ago.

 

[swt_passenger]

5868 may be heading for Waterloo next week (March 4) at lunchtime

Yes, definitely the plan, as the staff invite was posted in one of the other discussions about this paint job:

SWR Repaints and Refurbishments

As we reach the end of the 444/450 repaint programme, can I just thank all of you who have gone out of your way to keep us as up to date as possible with it all as it has been quite the process :D I second that. Thanks to all involved.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Siemens Staines]

Today it's 10-458. Long may it last! This diagram was a longstanding 10-458 before it went over to 455s a couple of months ago.

It looks like the number of 458/5 diagrams for today has been increased to 21 (from the 23 units) while the number of 455 diagrams for today has dropped from 68 to 64, there being two turns covered by a 4-car 455

 

[Goldfish62]

It looks like the number of 458/5 diagrams for today has been increased to 21 (from the 23 units) while the number of 455 diagrams for today has dropped from 68 to 64, there being two turns covered by a 4-car 455

It shows how much SWR is struggling for stock. It can only get worse unless the 701s start being introduced very soon (and a related thread seems to suggest that's as far away as it's ever been).

Planned daily cancellations next?

 

[DelW]

It shows how much SWR is struggling for stock. It can only get worse unless the 701s start being introduced very soon (and a related thread seems to suggest that's as far away as it's ever been).

Planned daily cancellations next?

Or maybe actually start using the rebuilt 458/4s? There do seem to be some very pig-headed people at the top of SWR (or the relevant part of DfT). Evidently they themselves never travel on the services they oversee.

 

[SWT_USER]

Or maybe actually start using the rebuilt 458/4s? There do seem to be some very pig-headed people at the top of SWR (or the relevant part of DfT). Evidently they themselves never travel on the services they oversee.

Using some of the hundreds of 701/ 458 carriages doing nothing in sidings? Far too sensible. Much easier to continue to reduce capacity and force people on to 4 coach 455's.

We were always told BR was inefficient for having loads of rolling stock sat in sidings all year round.. SWR have managed it for five years with no end in sight.

 

[Goldfish62]

Or maybe actually start using the rebuilt 458/4s? There do seem to be some very pig-headed people at the top of SWR (or the relevant part of DfT). Evidently they themselves never travel on the services they oversee.

Well, something has got to give. Assuming the remaining pair of 707s go next month and the 458 programme completes this year, by the end of this year SWR will be a further 17 5 car units short by my reckoning.