Favourite South West Trains Rolling Stock

[Sheepyaidan]

Hi All,

South West Trains have some decent trains running on the lines.

Please vote in the poll.

Also, If you would like to share any experiences or photos of your favourite SWT stock.

I'm talking about current fleet, in regular passenger service.

If I left any of them... please tell me!

Thanks,

//Aidan

 

[59CosG95]

You missed the newly cascaded Class 456, by the way.

 

[Sheepyaidan]

You missed the newly cascaded Class 456, by the way.

Hi,

Are they currently in passenger service?

Thanks,

//Aidan

 

[Monty]

Hi,

Are they currently in passenger service?

Thanks,

//Aidan

Yes they are currently used on the Ascot - Guildford branch and a peak time Richmond - Guildford service.

 

[455driver]

Guess what I voted for?

 

[Sheepyaidan]

Guess what I voted for?

The 444? Hehe.

So, do you actually drive the train?

What were your experiences with the 455?

Thanks,

//Aidan

 

[FQ]

I went for the 444. Shame there was no old stock, or it would be class 47 by miles

 

[Islineclear3_1]

To be honest, none of the above apart from perhaps the 455's simply because they are the oldest and I used to like the sound of the compressors.

The last time I travelled on a 444 from Waterloo to Southampton, I felt very unwell upon arrival despite changing carriages a least 4 times. I would never have felt ill in this way on a classic slammer with opening windows.

 

[bluegoblin7]

the 455's simply because they are the oldest

The 483s (Ex-LU 1938 stock) on the IOW are quite a bit older.

 

[455driver]

The 444? Hehe.

So, do you actually drive the train?What were your experiences with the 455?

Thanks,

//Aidan

Yes I do and have for <cough> years, I prefer a 455 as it is the closest to proper driving instead of the 'tell the computer what you want and the computer will decide how to do it' trains.

 

[GatwickDepress]

I voted for the 455. It's nice to have the windows open and hear the motors grumbling along.

 

[yorksrob]

For me, the 159's. But then I do associate them with going on holiday now.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Class 444s, probably the first train of any sort I really took an interest in.

Honourable mention to the 438s on the Isle of Wight too.

 

[al.currie93]

455 for many reasons including that my first train journey was on one :P

 

[FQ]

455 for many reasons including that my first train journey was on one :P

A pretty good reason. My favourite train is a class 47 and 87, an 87 being the first train I ever traveled on, and a 47 my second.

 

[Kite159]

The little red devils of the 455s get my vote.

 

[Parallel]

159s are probably my favourite, probably because I travel on them the most. I like the 444s as trains but started feeling a bit ill last time I was on one for some reason, I rarely feel travel sick. The 450 didn't make me feel ill but I just find it less interesting. I've never travelled on 455s, where do they usually operate to/from?

 

[hassaanhc]

159s are probably my favourite, probably because I travel on them the most. I like the 444s as trains but started feeling a bit ill last time I was on one for some reason, I rarely feel travel sick. The 450 didn't make me feel ill but I just find it less interesting. I've never travelled on 455s, where do they usually operate to/from?

I didn't feel too well last time on a 444 either, although that was a 110 minute journey and I was sitting at the end of a coach (didn't believe it when comments on here suggested sitting away from the bogies, which are at the end of coaches, have a smoother ride. But I think in many cases that is true).

The 455s do majority of London and surrounding area local services. Almost all stopping services via Wimbledon, so to/from Guildford, Woking, Hampton Court, Chessington South, Dorking, Shepperton and "Kingston Loop" are run by 455. Also on weekends majority of services via Hounslow and sometimes a small number of Windsor services. If you do bash one then sit in a motor coach, one of the two intermediate coaches (easiest way to find it is by looking at the 5-digit coach number, if it begins with a 62 then it is the motor coach).

The 455s are my favourite because of the sound, bit annoying there are few fast services run by them, best one is 1J91 1923 Waterloo to Surbiton

 

[BestWestern]

I didn't feel too well last time on a 444 either, although that was a 110 minute journey and I was sitting at the end of a coach (didn't believe it when comments on here suggested sitting away from the bogies, which are at the end of coaches, have a smoother ride. But I think in many cases that is true).

You will find it smoother away from the bogies, yes. On a Desiro you also won't have to listen to the strange banging/clanking from under the train, which is a rather odd feature for recently built stock. I must say they are beginning to grow on me; although I still feel they are awfully bland and devoid of character, SWT have done a good job of making them reasonably cheerful with their smart red interiors. The aircon works well which suits me fine (yes, even when it's freezing!), and they offer a very quiet ride. It's a shame that the seats are poorly padded but I notice it less these days. Lack of luggage space is always an issue, and the dreaded PIS (auto announcements) is still as wonky as ever. They also carry the inherent risk of being a 450 instead of course, which is poor if you're going any distance. Incidentally, these lesser cousins have begun turning up on the Poole/Weymouth runs I've noticed, is this a recent change of practice or had I just been lucky and missed them so far!?

Somebody posted in the Train Nicknames thread that 444s have been referred to as 'Arkwrights' - very good!

 

[FQ]

I've never travelled on 455s, where do they usually operate to/from?

Out of Waterloo, there is a train every 5 minutes.