SWR outgoing Metro fleet withdrawals (complete)

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Now that it's becoming clear that these long absences are not leading to withdrawals, with them all returning in the end, is it worth their mention here? Only because I created the thread to track the specific standing-down/being permanently stopped, withdrawal and removal of stock from SWR. Each time I get an alert notification I check to see if a 455/458 has been stood down, but its always for a temporarily removal for exam or something and then its return, which now seems to be routine.

A new thread could always be created for ongoing maintenance happenings, maybe

 

[Box]

I would be sorry to lose the information in the thread. As they seem to have stopped permanently withdrawing 455s for the time being, I guess general status updates could indeed be split to another thread. We seem to be averaging one post every couple of days recently (8 so far in May) so personally I don’t think “clutter” is a big problem.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I would be sorry to lose the information in the thread. As they seem to have stopped permanently withdrawing 455s for the time being, I guess general status updates could indeed be split to another thread. We seem to be averaging one post every couple of days recently (8 so far in May) so personally I don’t think “clutter” is a big problem.

True, I guess I’m just very keen to see 455s get stopped and sent for scrap, so any return to the thread to see the alert was only for a post saying one is back from exams is disappointing

 

[Box]

True, I guess I’m just very keen to see 455s get stopped and sent for scrap, so any return to the thread to see the alert was only for a post saying one is back from exams is disappointing

Haha, fair enough. They are getting decidedly care-worn but unless it gets hot (which it certainly hasn’t so far this Spring) there are more uncomfortable trains (in my opinion).

 

[HamworthyGoods]

True, I guess I’m just very keen to see 455s get stopped and sent for scrap, so any return to the thread to see the alert was only for a post saying one is back from exams is disappointing

Surely you aren’t keen for them to go to scrap until they have replacement stock so the lack of movement on 701s means they’ll be no further reduction in 455s yet.

 

[WarrenTManager]

Yesterday was 01/05/23, so it is time for me to post an update of the list of 458 & 455 that I have not recorded working in passenger service for over a month. The dates below are the last date that I have noticed them appear on a passenger train on RTT. This date is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.

458502 24/03/23
458506 09/11/22
458533 28/01/22

List excludes Off-lease 458505,507,517

455721 10/03/23
455722 06/12/22
455724 04/02/23
455849 04/02/23
455850 27/06/22
455863 02/03/23
455902 15/12/22
455905 04/07/22
455909 14/03/23
455915 23/10/22

List excludes Scrapped 455704,726,736,740,847,855,907,918

5724 back in service on 30/05 - It needed a replacement choke in the traction case. The choke is absolutely massive and on the bottom part of the traction case, requiring the traction container to be removed and inverted, the container weighing over a tonne. An absolute nightmare to change.

5909 back in service on 05/06

 

[50002Superb]

Any sign of 5905?

 

[Snow1964]

The extent of SWR cuts shows up in latest ORR figures, comparing Jan-Mar to Jan-Mar 2019. Table 5.1 shows now only operating 78% of their vehicle Km.

22% reduction for SWR, and I suspect the 444s and 450s aren't sitting around, so much of that must be suburban fleet.

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/2207/passenger-rail-usage-jan-mar-2023.pdf

 

[HamworthyGoods]

The extent of SWR cuts shows up in latest ORR figures, comparing Jan-Mar to Jan-Mar 2019. Table 5.1 shows now only operating 78% of their vehicle Km.

22% reduction for SWR, and I suspect the 444s and 450s aren't sitting around, so much of that must be suburban fleet.

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/2207/passenger-rail-usage-jan-mar-2023.pdf

That’ll be because SWR was largely geared up for commuters whose numbers have not returned to previous volumes. I suspect the likes of GTR will have a similar reduction.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I have updated the title accordingly to clarify that I created the thread for tracking the permanent standing down of stock

Give me one second…

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2023 ==

Edit: Here we go

Class 455 and 458 ongoing maintenance updates

I created SWR Metro Fleet Withdrawals to monitor the withdrawal process (obviously I had expected 701s to be imminent at the time, so it didn’t seem premature back then) and permanent standing down/handing back of 455/456/458/707 by SWR. Naturally we’ve discussed the withdrawal of 456 and some...

www.railforums.co.uk

Here’s a separate thread for yous who wish to continue tracking the ongoing maintenance of 455/458 to do so in, which will keep this thread for its original purpose.

 

[Snow1964]

That’ll be because SWR was largely geared up for commuters whose numbers have not returned to previous volumes. I suspect the likes of GTR will have a similar reduction.

Figures are in table 5.1
West Midlands 116% (16% more)
GTR 85%. (15% less)
SWR 78% (22% less)
LNER (not exactly a commuter operation) 75%

However it also reflects the shortening of many SWR services, apart from some coupled 707s there are no 455s working as part of 10 car formations, and the 455s that survive seem to be doing less mileage

 

[Goldfish62]

Figures are in table 5.1
West Midlands 116% (16% more)
GTR 85%. (15% less)
SWR 78% (22% less)
LNER (not exactly a commuter operation) 75%

However it also reflects the shortening of many SWR services, apart from some coupled 707s there are no 455s working as part of 10 car formations, and the 455s that survive seem to be doing less mileage

Yes. Train km, which do not reflect train length, stands at 84% for SWR.

 

[swr444]

Hearing that the last of the 707s will leave SWR by September this year, let's see what happens. I presume SE haven't the patience to wait anymore and want the rest of them over on their turf.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Hearing that the last of the 707s will leave SWR by September this year, let's see what happens. I presume SE haven't the patience to wait anymore and want the rest of them over on their turf.

I can hardly blame them.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Hearing that the last of the 707s will leave SWR by September this year, let's see what happens. I presume SE haven't the patience to wait anymore and want the rest of them over on their turf.

Given the ongoing lack of 701s entering service, is this going to mean an awful lot of short forms on what are already rather cosy services?

 

[HamworthyGoods]

I understand cl455 availability will be increased to compensate for the loss of 701s.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Given the ongoing lack of 701s entering service, is this going to mean an awful lot of short forms on what are already rather cosy services?

Frankly, that’s not Southeastern’s problem. It isn’t their fault that SWR’s replacement fleet isn’t ready, and I think it’s fair to say they’ve certainly been patient enough.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Frankly, that’s not Southeastern’s problem. It isn’t their fault that SWR’s replacement fleet isn’t ready, and I think it’s fair to say they’ve certainly been patient enough.

I agree.... I'm simply wondering how SWR are going to cope with the loss of the remaining 707s.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

I agree.... I'm simply wondering how SWR are going to cope with the loss of the remaining 707s.

As above, cl455 availability will be increased (it was quite low to eek out miles, but C4 and C6 exams have been taking place on the fleet).

 

[swr444]

Surely there are plenty more 458s available now too, as a few have been brought back to life after being sat around for over a year?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Surely there are plenty more 458s available now too, as a few have been brought back to life after being sat around for over a year?

But at the same time, at least three (might actually be four) have gone to be refurbished.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Hearing that the last of the 707s will leave SWR by September this year, let's see what happens. I presume SE haven't the patience to wait anymore and want the rest of them over on their turf.

I've heard that from two sources…One quoting September and one quoting October.

 

[43096]

Frankly, that’s not Southeastern’s problem. It isn’t their fault that SWR’s replacement fleet isn’t ready, and I think it’s fair to say they’ve certainly been patient enough.

Neither is it SouthEastern's decision - DfT will decide and if they say the 707s stay with SWR then they will stay.

 

[swr444]

I've heard that from two sources…One quoting September and one quoting October.

And to contradict things I’ve heard they’re going to train up more guards on them…

 

[HamworthyGoods]

I've heard that from two sources…One quoting September and one quoting October.

Both are correct, the units don’t all leave at once - it’s a staged phasing out. They drop out the LTP diagrams in September but may see some use after on an STP basis.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Both are correct, the units don’t all leave at once - it’s a staged phasing out. They drop out the LTP diagrams in September but may see some use after on an STP basis.

Ah, thanks!

 

[Bigfoot]

Both are correct, the units don’t all leave at once - it’s a staged phasing out. They drop out the LTP diagrams in September but may see some use after on an STP basis.

One a week from the end of August is my understanding, which ties into the September LTP change.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

As above, cl455 availability will be increased (it was quite low to eek out miles, but C4 and C6 exams have been taking place on the fleet).

Just as well all this so called life expired stock still has life left in it going to be needed for a while yet

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Just as well all this so called life expired stock still has life left in it going to be needed for a while yet

The cl 455s are to all extent of purposes life expired, eg beyond economic repair / life extension. However as there is no replacement stock at present so the actual value of the trains is skewed and they carry on.

 

[boiledbeans2]

The cl 455s are to all extent of purposes life expired, eg beyond economic repair / life extension. However as there is no replacement stock at present so the actual value of the trains is skewed and they carry on.

But the 455s have a relatively new traction system and interiors? Based on wikipedia, the interiors were done in 2008 and traction system in 2013. Arguably newer than a Juniper.

The Southern 455s did feel life expired with a worn out interior and weak-sounding motors. The SWR 455 motors howl like mad, even during regenerative braking.