SWR Class 455

[wnr1990]

Does anyone know if SWR operate these during especially hot weather?

I rode one yesterday on a 30 minute journey and it was unbearable, like stepping into an oven - and that was only at 25C, I can't begin imagine what they'd be like on monday!

If they are going to operate these, surely that can't be safe at all?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Unfortunately so, and they are horrendous. Like an oven. The 230s are the same. If travelling between New Malden and London Waterloo (via Wimbledon), aim for an ex-Shepperton service as this is the sole route operated by the air-conditioned 707s, which feel like a fridge by comparison.

 

[Goldfish62]

Does anyone know if SWR operate these during especially hot weather?

I rode one yesterday on a 30 minute journey and it was unbearable, like stepping into an oven - and that was only at 25C, I can't begin imagine what they'd be like on monday!

If they are going to operate these, surely that can't be safe at all?

They're always bad even in moderately hot weather. The generally slow speeds and frequent stops don't help either.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Yes the problem is they never go fast enough to get some breeze in through the windows

 

[Domh245]

They haven't exactly got any alternatives to operate their services with at the moment*, so it's 455s or nothing. All they can do is caution against travel and call for anyone who is going to travel to carry water to try and mitigate the impact - which they have been doing.

*those shiny new air conditioned 701s sitting across the network is a whole other saga...

 

[swr444]

Yes the problem is they never go fast enough to get some breeze in through the windows

And when a fast train passes the side of a 455 it sucks all the windows shut unless you're in the 508 coach, such a silly design

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

And when a fast train passes the side of a 455 it sucks all the windows shut unless you're in the 508 coach, such a silly design

And it’s not like you’d want to sit in the 508 coach anyway, as the lower roof and horrible boxy PEP interior make it even more cramped than the rest of the train.

 

[Bigfoot]

And it’s not like you’d want to sit in the 508 coach anyway, as the lower roof and horrible boxy PEP interior make it even more cramped than the rest of the train.

Plus sometimes the heating is jammed on. Or in the winter stuck off.

 

[Goldfish62]

They haven't exactly got any alternatives to operate their services with at the moment*, so it's 455s or nothing. All they can do is caution against travel and call for anyone who is going to travel to carry water to try and mitigate the impact - which they have been doing.

Same on the Underground. TfL can't exactly stand down the majority of their trains in hot weather.

 

[Mikey C]

I had the pleasure of a 455 yesterday...it was remarkable how little breeze came in, despite all the windows being open.

Same on the Underground. TfL can't exactly stand down the majority of their trains in hot weather.

The 92 stock on the Central Line will be horrendous in the open air sections tomorrow, as they're like a greenhouse even on normal summer days.

 

[cactustwirly]

I was on a few on Friday, although it was hot I don't think they were that bad

Not as nice as the 450s or 165s I used as well but I wasn't uncomfortable either.

I would definitely say the 455s are far more comfortable than class 345s

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I had the pleasure of a 455 yesterday...it was remarkable how little breeze came in, despite all the windows being open.

You would actually get more breeze through them if you opened only the alternate windows on each one, so say on the left side if the train windows 1, 3, 5 etc and on the right side of the train windows 2, 4, 6 etc.

 

[deepeetw]

You would actually get more breeze through them if you opened only the alternate windows on each one, so say on the left side if the train windows 1, 3, 5 etc and on the right side of the train windows 2, 4, 6 etc.

The breeze from the window above you always ends up blowing the person sat on the opposite side of the vehicle, diagonally behind you.

Sadly all the glass partitions fitted at refurb have limited the effectiveness of the incoming cooling from the windows as well.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The breeze from the window above you always ends up blowing the person sat on the opposite side of the vehicle, diagonally behind you.

It's actually the draught from the opposite side forward of you that hits you; opening the alternate windows as I suggested would create a series of very strong cross-daughts. Try it if you get a carriage to yourselfd at any point...

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

You would actually get more breeze through them if you opened only the alternate windows on each one, so say on the left side if the train windows 1, 3, 5 etc and on the right side of the train windows 2, 4, 6 etc.

Yes, but as 95% of people won’t realise this and therefore all windows will be open, I reckon you’d disgruntle most on the train by walking down the carriage closing half of the windows

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes, but as 95% of people won’t realise this and therefore all windows will be open, I reckon you’d disgruntle most on the train by walking down the carriage closing half of the windows

True - which is why I added the bit about if you had a carriage to yourself.

 

[boiledbeans2]

I often choose to ride the 455 because of the openable windows (instead of Desiros) as there are frequently people coughing and sneezing onboard, and COVID hasn't completely disappeared. I like the SWR 455s.

My 455 rides are usually before 11am and after 8pm. So I haven't tried a 455 in the peak of the heat at 35C.

 

[deepeetw]

It's actually the draught from the opposite side forward of you that hits you; opening the alternate windows as I suggested would create a series of very strong cross-daughts. Try it if you get a carriage to yourselfd at any point...

Think I said just that (in different terms!)

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I often choose to ride the 455 because of the openable windows (instead of Desiros) as there are frequently people coughing and sneezing onboard, and COVID hasn't completely disappeared. I like the SWR 455s.

My 455 rides are usually before 11am and after 8pm. So I haven't tried a 455 in the peak of the heat at 35C.

I can tell you haven't, else you wouldn't choose one over a Desiro.

 

[WarrenTManager]

It's a characteristic of the stock of the time. My old boss used to time his journey home to ensure he was on a 375 not a 465 in this weather!

I usually use the perches anyway on a 455 unless I am quickly doing something on the laptop. If no one alights, I often open the door anyway to let some air in.

I suppose at the moment there are some alternatives in terms of 450s on some journeys 2M/2F/2G and as stated above 707s on 2Hs.

To do anything radical in terms of cooling, the MA would have had to be replaced by a static inverter. There was briefly a suggestion of one for another purpose, to power an AC compressor instead of the DH25 type which could then have made saloon cooling an option albeit financially prohibitive. The Motor Alternator is just enough to run the cab cooling in the lead cab only.

 

[Surreytraveller]

Does anyone know if SWR operate these during especially hot weather?

I rode one yesterday on a 30 minute journey and it was unbearable, like stepping into an oven - and that was only at 25C, I can't begin imagine what they'd be like on monday!

If they are going to operate these, surely that can't be safe at all?

What would you suggest they do? Cancel everything booked a 455?

 

[wnr1990]

What would you suggest they do? Cancel everything booked a 455?

Unless they're operating on an especially short route, then honestly yes. I would rather have passengers be inconvencied than be unsafe.

And they certainly should not be operating on the Dorking/Guildford routes.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Unless they're operating on an especially short route, then honestly yes. I would rather have passengers be inconvencied than be unsafe.

And they certainly should not be operating on the Dorking/Guildford routes.

Ironically, it seems that most (if not all)* trains on the Guildford / Chessington services booked to be 450s have been substituted by 455s today! In fact, I'm on one now.

* I only checked a handful of services but certainly at least three this morning were 455s.

EDIT: Just checked the remaining Guildford services, and looks like it's 455s all day... *shudders*

 

[nlogax]

The only bearable 455 diagrams this week will be the fast morning peak services between Surbiton and Waterloo. Are they still running?

 

[TEW]

Ironically, it seems that most (if not all)* trains on the Guildford / Chessington services booked to be 450s have been substituted by 455s today! In fact, I'm on one now.

* I only checked a handful of services but certainly at least three this morning were 455s.

EDIT: Just checked the remaining Guildford services, and looks like it's 455s all day... *shudders*

They're all back to being booked 455 as of today.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jul 2022 ==

The only bearable 455 diagrams this week will be the fast morning peak services between Surbiton and Waterloo. Are they still running?

There's 2; 0700 and 0817 departures from Woking.

 

[physics34]

I had the pleasure of a 455 yesterday...it was remarkable how little breeze came in, despite all the windows being open.


The 92 stock on the Central Line will be horrendous in the open air sections tomorrow, as they're like a greenhouse even on normal summer days.

Thats the good point. A warm day with fresh air (and the sounds from the unit!) make for a comfortable trip. About 25 degrees.. yes youre in trouble though

 

[amazon1675]

I recall one very hot day I had a Vep coach to myself and dropped all the door windows...and there were a few...wonderful breeze that kicked up beween Basingstoke and Winchester 'down the hill',plus the wooppa wooppa air pressure effect. Given that London Buses all have white roofs in an attempt to reflect the heat,could this be tried on some 455s?

 

[Mikey C]

I recall one very hot day I had a Vep coach to myself and dropped all the door windows...and there were a few...wonderful breeze that kicked up beween Basingstoke and Winchester 'down the hill',plus the wooppa wooppa air pressure effect. Given that London Buses all have white roofs in an attempt to reflect the heat,could this be tried on some 455s?

Air con (assuming it's working properly) is better than opening windows, which don't help at all when the train (or bus) is static.

However it was a retrograde step when from the hopper window was introduced, as the opening is far smaller. On buses, nothing beats the airflow provided than that of Routemasters with wind down upper front windows, the front seat used to be quite an experience with them down!

 

[Snow1964]

I recall one very hot day I had a Vep coach to myself and dropped all the door windows...and there were a few...wonderful breeze that kicked up beween Basingstoke and Winchester 'down the hill',plus the wooppa wooppa air pressure effect. Given that London Buses all have white roofs in an attempt to reflect the heat,could this be tried on some 455s?

Did you ever do it on a VEP when the sliding top lights winters were still usable. The orange curtains would swing up in the breeze.

Of course there should be no 455s (should have all been replaced by late 2020) but 19 months from date last one was supposed to go, SWR and Bombardier and Rockrail haven’t got all 750 new class701 vehicles in service, still missing... all 750, hence keeping the non air conditioned 455s in use when hot

 

[Goldfish62]

Unless they're operating on an especially short route, then honestly yes. I would rather have passengers be inconvencied than be unsafe.

Are you honestly suggesting the majority of passengers are incapable of looking after themselves? Most heat exhaustion cases happen at home. How are you going to keep people safe then?

How do you think the Underground manages? It's savagely hot in the deep level tube in even normal summer weather.