SWR Class 458 to be retained

[Siemens Staines]

After delivering 458423 to Bournemouth today, it looks like 50007 + 50049 will move 458528 to Widnes tomorrow

Realtime Trains | 5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech | 27/09/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q73 1712 departure from Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech on 27/09/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[norbitonflyer]

Seem to be seeing more 458s recently on the Kingston line - a welcome move to have 5 car trains back. Most of them are the last six (with all vehecles ex-Gatwick Express) which I suppose is to be expected as they are not going to be converted so there is no urgency to remove them from local services.

 

[swr444]

Seem to be seeing more 458s recently on the Kingston line - a welcome move to have 5 car trains back. Most of them are the last six (with all vehecles ex-Gatwick Express) which I suppose is to be expected as they are not going to be converted so there is no urgency to remove them from local services.

they’ve pretty much replaced most 707 sheppy diagrams. So not much change in capacity

 

[WarrenTManager]

This was the fleet status today. 27 available from 30 for 25 diagrams. 8535 returned to traffic on the 23rd.

ex-458/0 Unit	DMSO (BJ)	TOS (BZ)	TOSL(W) (BK)	MOSL (BL)	DMSO (BM)	Comments	Diagram	With
458 501	67601	74431	74001	74101	67701		WM807	8520
458 502	67602	74421	74002	74102	67702		WM813	8516
458 503	67603	74441	74003	74103	67703		WM808	8535
458 504	67604	74451	74004	74104	67704		WM802	8518
458 505	67605	74425	74005	74105	67705	Now 4 car. Unit 3	N/A	N/A
458 506	67606	74436	74006	74106	67706		WM819	8519
458 507	67607	74428	74007	74107	67707	Now 4 car. Unit 1	N/A	N/A
458 508	67608	74433	74008	74108	67708		WM803	8532
458 509	67609	74452	74009	74109	67709		WM810	8513
458 510	67610	74405	74010	74110	67710	Exam XA18	N/A	N/A
458 511	67611	74435	74011	74111	67711		WM821	8526
458 512	67612	74427	74012	74112	67712		WM822	8530
458 513	67613	74437	74013	74113	67713		WM811	8509
458 514	67614	74407	74014	74114	67714		WM825	8529
458 515	67615	74404	74015	74115	67715		WM815	8531
458 516	67616	74406	74016	74116	67716		WM812	8502
458 517	67617	74426	74017	74117	67717	Now 4 car. Unit 2	N/A	N/A
458 518	67618	74432	74018	74118	67718		WM801	8504
458 519	67619	74403	74019	74119	67719		WM818	8506
458 520	67620	74401	74020	74120	67720		WM806	8501
458 521	67621	74438	74021	74121	67721		WM816	8534
458 522	67622	74424	74022	74122	67722	Prepped Spare	Spare	8524
458 523	67623	74434	74023	74123	67723	Now 4 car. Unit 4	N/A	N/A
458 524	67624	74402	74024	74124	67724	Prepped Spare	Spare	8522
458 525	67625	74422	74025	74125	67725	WIP. Unit 5	N/A	N/A
458 526	67626	74442	74026	74126	67726		WM820	8511
458 527	67627	74412	74027	74127	67727	Repairs	N/A	N/A
458 528	67628	74408	74028	74128	67728	Unit 6	N/A	N/A
458 529	67629	74423	74029	74129	67729		WM824	8514
458 530	67630	74411	74030	74130	67730		WM823	8512
ex-460 Unit	DMSO (AA)	TOS (AC)	TOSL(W) (AF)	MOSL (AG)	DMSO (AH)	Comments	Diagram	With
458 531	67913	74418	74446	74458	67912		WM814	8515
458 532	67904	74417	74447	74457	67905		WM804	8508
458 533	67917	74413	74443	74453	67916	Wheelsets, Rebuild	N/A	N/A
458 534	67914	74414	74444	74454	67918		WM817	8521
458 535	67915	74415	74445	74455	67911		WM809	8503
458 536	67906	74416	74448	74456	67902		WM805	N/A

 

[Western Sunset]

Very interesting list, though you appear to have two 4-car "Unit 3s".

 

[WarrenTManager]

Very interesting list, though you appear to have two 4-car "Unit 3s".

Copy/paste error (gah!)

 

[norbitonflyer]

they’ve pretty much replaced most 707 sheppy diagrams. So not much change in capacity

That would explain it. But the first class seats are nice.

Where have the 707s gone?

 

[WarrenTManager]

That would explain it. But the first class seats are nice.

Where have the 707s gone?

One pair needed in traffic this week.

Unit	DMSO	TSO	TSO(W)	TSO	DMSO	Diagram	With
707 015	421015	422015	423015	424015	425015	None. Demobilised	N/A
707 016	421016	422016	423016	424016	425016	None. Demobilised	N/A
707 017	421017	422017	423017	424017	425017	WM902	7022
707 022	421022	422022	423022	424022	425022	WM901	7017
707 024	421024	422024	423024	424024	425024	Exam	N/A
707 030	421030	422030	423030	424030	425030	Interior betterment	N/A

 

[swr444]

This was the fleet status today. 27 available from 30 for 25 diagrams. 8535 returned to traffic on the 23rd.

ex-458/0 Unit	DMSO (BJ)	TOS (BZ)	TOSL(W) (BK)	MOSL (BL)	DMSO (BM)	Comments	Diagram	With
458 501	67601	74431	74001	74101	67701		WM807	8520
458 502	67602	74421	74002	74102	67702		WM813	8516
458 503	67603	74441	74003	74103	67703		WM808	8535
458 504	67604	74451	74004	74104	67704		WM802	8518
458 505	67605	74425	74005	74105	67705	Now 4 car. Unit 3	N/A	N/A
458 506	67606	74436	74006	74106	67706		WM819	8519
458 507	67607	74428	74007	74107	67707	Now 4 car. Unit 1	N/A	N/A
458 508	67608	74433	74008	74108	67708		WM803	8532
458 509	67609	74452	74009	74109	67709		WM810	8513
458 510	67610	74405	74010	74110	67710	Exam XA18	N/A	N/A
458 511	67611	74435	74011	74111	67711		WM821	8526
458 512	67612	74427	74012	74112	67712		WM822	8530
458 513	67613	74437	74013	74113	67713		WM811	8509
458 514	67614	74407	74014	74114	67714		WM825	8529
458 515	67615	74404	74015	74115	67715		WM815	8531
458 516	67616	74406	74016	74116	67716		WM812	8502
458 517	67617	74426	74017	74117	67717	Now 4 car. Unit 2	N/A	N/A
458 518	67618	74432	74018	74118	67718		WM801	8504
458 519	67619	74403	74019	74119	67719		WM818	8506
458 520	67620	74401	74020	74120	67720		WM806	8501
458 521	67621	74438	74021	74121	67721		WM816	8534
458 522	67622	74424	74022	74122	67722	Prepped Spare	Spare	8524
458 523	67623	74434	74023	74123	67723	Now 4 car. Unit 4	N/A	N/A
458 524	67624	74402	74024	74124	67724	Prepped Spare	Spare	8522
458 525	67625	74422	74025	74125	67725	WIP. Unit 5	N/A	N/A
458 526	67626	74442	74026	74126	67726		WM820	8511
458 527	67627	74412	74027	74127	67727	Repairs	N/A	N/A
458 528	67628	74408	74028	74128	67728	Unit 6	N/A	N/A
458 529	67629	74423	74029	74129	67729		WM824	8514
458 530	67630	74411	74030	74130	67730		WM823	8512
ex-460 Unit	DMSO (AA)	TOS (AC)	TOSL(W) (AF)	MOSL (AG)	DMSO (AH)	Comments	Diagram	With
458 531	67913	74418	74446	74458	67912		WM814	8515
458 532	67904	74417	74447	74457	67905		WM804	8508
458 533	67917	74413	74443	74453	67916	Wheelsets, Rebuild	N/A	N/A
458 534	67914	74414	74444	74454	67918		WM817	8521
458 535	67915	74415	74445	74455	67911		WM809	8503
458 536	67906	74416	74448	74456	67902		WM805	N/A

458533 could make a return soon then?

 

[Western Sunset]

458423 arriving at Branksome this evening. Quite interesting motive power...

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

458423 arriving at Branksome this evening. Quite interesting motive power...

Freshly painted so as to look extra smart on their journey to Sims in the new year

 

[Goldfish62]

Freshly painted so as to look extra smart on their journey to Sims in the new year

Following in the footsteps of the 442s..

At this rate the 701s will also be on their way there.

 

[Western Sunset]

At least we get a lot of interesting unit drags to/from Bournemouth... We've had 37s, 47s, 56s, 57s, 66s, 69s, and now 50s.

 

[Rogersbmx]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q40750/2023-10-03/detailed wonder what this could be…

 

[444045]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q40750/2023-10-03/detailed wonder what this could be…

It looks like a pathway for a Class 701 but there are none at Bournemouth Depot at this moment.

 

[AY1975]

Seem to be seeing more 458s recently on the Kingston line

And on the Hounslow Loop (am not sure how long they've been regulars there) despite Syon Lane and Isleworth having short platforms.

One pair needed in traffic this week.

Unit	DMSO	TSO	TSO(W)	TSO	DMSO	Diagram	With
707 015	421015	422015	423015	424015	425015	None. Demobilised	N/A
707 016	421016	422016	423016	424016	425016	None. Demobilised	N/A
707 017	421017	422017	423017	424017	425017	WM902	7022
707 022	421022	422022	423022	424022	425022	WM901	7017
707 024	421024	422024	423024	424024	425024	Exam	N/A
707 030	421030	422030	423030	424030	425030	Interior betterment	N/A

I saw 707 017+022 in the Kingston/Shepperton bound platform at Strawberry Hill station at about 16.45 on Tuesday. They were showing Shepperton on their destination displays but there didn't appear to be any passengers on board. They sat there for ages and then left for Strawberry Hill depot. I couldn't find an ECS working on the Real Time Trains website that that could have been, although RTT was showing that pair to be working the 17.42 Waterloo-Shepperton that evening so I would guess that they must then have sat at Strawberry Hill depot for a few minutes and then run ECS to Waterloo to form that service.

Back on topic, not sure if this has already been mentioned but at the moment the toilets on the 458s seem to be locked out of use or in such a poor state as to be unusable more often than not even though they are used on Waterloo-Readings as well as shorter haul suburban services, which they share with 450s and 455s (and the toilets on the 450s do seem to be much more reliable to be in working order). Obviously one would hope that this will be put right when the 458s are converted to 4-car longer distance units.

 

[swr444]

And on the Hounslow Loop (am not sure how long they've been regulars there) despite Syon Lane and Isleworth having short platforms.

They've been on the Hounslow loop for years. They are equipped with ASDO.

 

[Juniper Driver]

I worked 458502 and 458535 yesterday.On a Reading then it was hastily commandeered for a Windsor and then went empties to Clapham Yard afterwards.

 

[Goldfish62]

Back on topic, not sure if this has already been mentioned but at the moment the toilets on the 458s seem to be locked out of use or in such a poor state as to be unusable more often than not even though they are used on Waterloo-Readings as well as shorter haul suburban services, which they share with 450s and 455s (and the toilets on the 450s do seem to be much more reliable to be in working order). Obviously one would hope that this will be put right when the 458s are converted to 4-car longer distance units.

There have always been issues with the toilets on the 458s. In the latter days of SWT they'd more or less given up on them and they were largely locked out of use. SWR got them working again and for a while they were more reliable than they've ever been. The recent deterioration seems to be afflicting the 450s as well, all of which I put down to the DfT's insistence on saving money on cleaning and maintenance.

 

[swr444]

There have always been issues with the toilets on the 458s. In the latter days of SWT they'd more or less given up on them and they were largely locked out of use. SWR got them working again and for a while they were more reliable than they've ever been. The recent deterioration seems to be afflicting the 450s as well, all of which I put down to the DfT's insistence on saving money on cleaning and maintenance.

I think the fact the 450s are currently stretched to their limits doesn’t help either

 

[AY1975]

They've been on the Hounslow loop for years. They are equipped with ASDO.

I've started a separate thread on short platforms at Syon Lane and Isleworth: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/hounslow-loop-short-platform-query.255373/

 

[444045]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Q40750/2023-10-03/detailed wonder what this could be…

This is for test runs for 458/4 running on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday starting this week, depending on Driver availability.

Night testing starts from Oct 23rd between Bournemouth Depot & Basingstoke.

 

[Socanxdis]

Why do they need to be tested? are they different to the 4 car units on swt before the conversion to 5 car?

 

[LUYMun]

Why do they need to be tested? are they different to the 4 car units on swt before the conversion to 5 car?

Given they have been retractioned twice since their original formation (first down to 75mph, now increased to 100mph running), yes...

 

[WarrenTManager]

Given they have been retractioned twice since their original formation (first down to 75mph, now increased to 100mph running), yes...

And never run to my knowledge as a 12 car and certainly not since various TMS changes.

 

[43096]

And never run to my knowledge as a 12 car and certainly not since various TMS changes.

I understood some 12-car trials were run when new? I'd certainly expect them to be tested as such as they were specified for 12-car operation.

 

[Goldfish62]

I understood some 12-car trials were run when new? I'd certainly expect them to be tested as such as they were specified for 12-car operation.

Years ago I was very briefly on a 16-car 458. The train had hit a tree near Longcross and couldn't move under its own power. Another 8-458 was attached with the intention of dragging it back to Virginia Water. However, both trains died as soon as the coupling took place, so while briefly 16 cars, the formation never actually moved.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Years ago I was very briefly on a 16-car 458. The train had hit a tree near Longcross and couldn't move under its own power. Another 8-458 was attached with the intention of dragging it back to Virginia Water. However, both trains died as soon as the coupling took place, so while briefly 16 cars, the formation never actually moved.

Was it only mechanically coupled or electrically as well?

 

[43096]

Years ago I was very briefly on a 16-car 458. The train had hit a tree near Longcross and couldn't move under its own power. Another 8-458 was attached with the intention of dragging it back to Virginia Water. However, both trains died as soon as the coupling took place, so while briefly 16 cars, the formation never actually moved.

Must be something about the Longcross area! My biggest 458 fiasco was one Friday evening when the set died between Virginia Water and Longcross - the tell tale of the auxiliaries dying was the “uh oh” point. It turned out it was actually a lineside fire that took out the conductor rail supply. After much deliberation about evacuation or bringing a 159 up to get passengers off, it was decided to bring a set alongside (up line was still live) and evacuate train to train. Rescue set then went all stations to Reading, going bang road to Ascot.

 

[Goldfish62]

Was it only mechanically coupled or electrically as well?

I presume because both units died they tried to connect electrically. Anyway, the upshot was the two units were eventually separated and us passengers were walked into the rescue units across a small gap between the end gangways.

Five hours from Waterloo to Bracknell in the end.