Is the class 455 really life expired?

[Islineclear3_1]

How much longer can Southern's 455/8's carry on mechanically? Wouldn't it be better to just order a total fleet replacement for inner and outer metro work and cascade the 377/3's back to the Coastway? This is of course, where they started life

 

[43096]

How much work would it be to reduce the 455/7's to 3-car? Is it really that simple to just take out a carriage and rejoin the internal wires? If more work is required, along with conductor retraining, would it really be worth it?

Before re-tractioning it was as simple as just taking the vehicle out, as SWT did some 10-car tests before the 456s arrived using 455+455+455 with two of the sets having the trailer taken out. Not sure if it is still that simple now, but cannot be that difficult.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

How much longer can Southern's 455/8's carry on mechanically? Wouldn't it be better to just order a total fleet replacement for inner and outer metro work and cascade the 377/3's back to the Coastway? This is of course, where they started life

Mechanically they are simple and a couple of companies specialise in motor and camshaft overhauls so can keep them going it will be corrosion issues that will be determining factor

 

[Journeyman]

Mechanically they are simple and a couple of companies specialise in motor and camshaft overhauls so can keep them going it will be corrosion issues that will be determining factor

This is now becoming a very serious problem for all Mark 3-based vehicles, and it's why there's been so many withdrawals lately.