Class 455 with AC Motors

[TEW]

There's a lot more pairs of AC units around now which helps massively, and I think drivers are becoming a lot more familiar with the AC units which is helping too.

 

[Class455]

455 909 seen with shiny new Vossloh Boxes while 455 860 is the latest to be overhauled. This leaves 455 864 to be done as I believe 873 has taken 860's place at Bournemouth

 

[Class455]

They're continuing at a good rate now. I've had 5902, 5906 and 5915 over the last couple of days with AC Motors which haven't previously been reported on here.

I'm currently onboard 5915, thought it was done some time ago.

 

[Keith Jarrett]

In summary, 5902, 5903, 5904, 5906, 5907, 5908, 5909, 5911, 5914, 5915, 5916 all definitely done thus putting over half of the sub-class in the AC traction equipment category.

That leaves 5901, 5905, 5910, 5912, 5913, 5917, 5918, 5919 & 5920 yet to be done/seen with new traction equipment. I've not seen 5901, 5905 or 5912 for a while so they may have been done now.

 

[Class455]

In summary, 5902, 5903, 5904, 5906, 5907, 5908, 5909, 5911, 5914, 5915, 5916 all definitely done thus putting over half of the sub-class in the AC traction equipment category.

That leaves 5901, 5905, 5910, 5912, 5913, 5917, 5918, 5919 & 5920 yet to be done/seen with new traction equipment. I've not seen 5901, 5905 or 5912 for a while so they may have been done now.

5901 was done a while back.
To be honest, I don't know why 5913 wasn't used as a testbed when the MSO was repaired and used EE507's instead.

I'm not sure if the /8's will be done following South West wanting to replace them.

 

[TEW]

Just passed 5905 on an Eastleigh Wimbledon move so that will be the latest one done.

 

[TEW]

5901 was done a while back.
To be honest, I don't know why 5913 wasn't used as a testbed when the MSO was repaired and used EE507's instead.

I'm not sure if the /8's will be done following South West wanting to replace them.

As has been explained approximately one million times before, the retractioning is necessary to free up capacity to maintain the 707 fleet at Wimbledon. That hasn't suddenly changed just because the 455s are being replaced in the next few years.

 

[Class455]

As has been explained approximately one million times before, the retractioning is necessary to free up capacity to maintain the 707 fleet at Wimbledon. That hasn't suddenly changed just because the 455s are being replaced in the next few years.

Oh that's alright then. Thought they stopped the programme since they'll be off and I've been hearing too much talk of the motors being reclaimed but the fact that they're retractioned will give them a new home but the question of where,no one knows yet.

 

[swt_passenger]

...the fact that they're retractioned will give them a new home but the question of where, no one knows yet.

That's quite an assumption. There's only two contenders, and most people reckon SN are already sorted for rolling stock.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Oh that's alright then. Thought they stopped the programme since they'll be off and I've been hearing too much talk of the motors being reclaimed but the fact that they're retractioned will give them a new home but the question of where,no one knows yet.

I thought that it was a contract to retraction them anyway.So whether there was a change of plans they still would be done anyway.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

You wouldn't want to give a SN man one of our updated 455s, they go too quick for them, I can remember when we lent them a "Greyhound" unit and they wondered what the hell was wrong with it as it went like the brown stuff off a stick.

The AC 455s are quick off the mark too (if you get a good one) and it would probably have a laxative effect on them over there.

 

[D365]

The AC 455s are quick off the mark too (if you get a good one) and it would probably have a laxative effect on them over there.

Are they not limited by virtue of the third rail supply's inadequacies?

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Are they not limited by virtue of the third rail supply's inadequacies?

I think that they're restricted by software, I know that they reach 75 mph quite easily and they stop quite well if you use the step 3 braking position.

 

[Class455]

455 873 has just returned from overhaul. Saw it in the sidings at Wimbledon depot looking very shiny indeed behind a 455/7 which I could only assume had gone to collect it. 455 864 has now gone to Bournemouth. The overhaul programme should be complete after that and all units will be 2020 compliant apart from the Southern sets.

 

[edwin_m]

I thought that it was a contract to retraction them anyway.So whether there was a change of plans they still would be done anyway.

Probably cost nearly as much to cancel the contract as to let it run to term, as most of the components, staff and facilities will have been paid for or committed.

Porterbrook must be feeling pretty cheesed off though. Somehow I don't think we'll see a leasing company funding a major re-engineering again unless they have a long lease in the bag.

 

[physics34]

That's quite an assumption. There's only two contenders, and most people reckon SN are already sorted for rolling stock.

could we see the newer 455/9s replacing southerns 455/8s??? just a thought.....

 

[43096]

could we see the newer 455/9s replacing southerns 455/8s??? just a thought.....

There is certainly some logic in ex-SWT 455s replacing the Southern units. The SWT fleet is already PRM modified, so would save doing the Southern units, as well as being re-tractioned. Could also send the 456s back to allow 10-car formations.

 

[TEW]

10-car 455/456 formations aren't much use on the Southern Inner Suburban network because of the proliferation of short platforms.

 

[D365]

10-car 455/456 formations aren't much use on the Southern Inner Suburban network because of the proliferation of short platforms.

Is that not why the Class 458/5 and Class 707 fleets are suggested?

 

[TEW]

Is that not why the Class 458/5 and Class 707 fleets are suggested?

I was replying to the post directly above mine which suggested using 456s.

 

[AY1975]

I thought all 455/7s (the phase 2 455s with the ex-Class 508 centre cars) had been re-engined, and that re-engined units had a more modern compressor that made a sort of humming or vibrating sound, but I've travelled on a few phase 2 units recently that still have traditional sounding compressors.

 

[GW43125]

I thought all 455/7s (the phase 2 455s with the ex-Class 508 centre cars) had been re-engined, and that re-engined units had a more modern compressor that made a sort of humming or vibrating sound, but I've travelled on a few phase 2 units recently that still have traditional sounding compressors.

Traction packages don't include the compressors, these haven't been changed.

 

[AY1975]

Traction packages don't include the compressors, these haven't been changed.

On some of the units I've travelled on I thought I could hear a modern compressor (which is much harder to hear than a traditional one).

 

[Bigfoot]

On some of the units I've travelled on I thought I could hear a modern compressor (which is much harder to hear than a traditional one).

I can assure everyone here that no modern compressors have been fitted to a 455/7/8/9 during the retractioning programme.

 

[Class455]

455 912 now has AC motors, while 455 870 has been overhauled

 

[Class455]

455 917 has now got Vossloh boxes. 455 913 is one 455/9 yet to be done, it was in service today still with EE507's.

 

[WarrenTManager]

455 917 has now got Vossloh boxes. 455 913 is one 455/9 yet to be done, it was in service today still with EE507's.

5913 is the last unit on the plan at #91. Presumably left till last as it is an ex210 vehicle and is probably a bit of a lash up underneath.

In works at the moment
#63 - 5920
#64 - 5857
#65 - 5861

5864 is released from Bournemouth today and that is the last 455 SWT 455 C6 unless something really drastic happens.

 

[WarrenTManager]

455 917 has now got Vossloh boxes. 455 913 is one 455/9 yet to be done, it was in service today still with EE507's.

5917 was unit 60.
5918 was unit 61.
5919 was unit 62.

All three in traffic today.

The ex-BREL Chopper units 5917-20 were left to last of 455/9 as they were harder to do. 5916 was unit 10 and done early but it was a bit of a pig!

 

[swt_passenger]

As the re-tractioning programme has presumably reached decent 'production line' capacity, is there an overall completion date being mentioned yet?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Presumably left till last as it is an ex210 vehicle and is probably a bit of a lash up underneath.

About 455 913 - could it be more that it's simply got more recently overhauled bits on it and is therefore in the best condition of those that still have the original versions of the traction equipment??

I am guessing they didn't simply move the bits over from the squashed vehicle without giving them a complete overhaul first?